91抖阴

Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened of earth’s ecosystems, according to the  International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Freshwater biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate as a result of human activities, and the IUCN says decisions must be taken now to reverse this trend.

Dr Bilotta said: “Decision-makers need to establish what species would be safeguarded before selecting areas for protection; regulators must be able to distinguish between native species and harmful invasive species if they want to combat one of the key causes of biodiversity loss. Skills in taxonomy – the science of naming, describing and classifying organisms using morphological, behavioural, genetic and biochemical observations – are required.

Dr Gary Bilotta

“Unfortunately, these skills are in short supply nationally and this is recognised as a significant issue (Natural Environment Research Council). Taxonomy is not something that can be easily taught in a standard university lecture or learnt from a textbook; it requires personal observation and learning, from a combination of field and laboratory (microscope) work using specimen collections.”

Dr Gary Bilotta, Head of the university’s Aquatic Research Centre and Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography in the School of Environment and Technology, has been awarded the funding from the university’s Springboard Grant programme which provides grants of up to £1,000 to current students and staff to support activities that enrich and enhance the 91抖阴 experience. The programme is made possible thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends who choose to make philanthropic donations.

Dr Bilotta said: “This Springboard Grant will be used to produce a freshwater invertebrate specimen collection (398 species) and associated digital resource to develop and assess students’ applied freshwater taxonomy skills.

“These skills are in high demand by environmental employers, so this learning resource will enhance the employability of our graduates to employers such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Forestry Commission, RSBP, and the Field Studies Council and numerous consultancy organisations. Ultimately, with more graduates trained in applied taxonomy, society will be better equipped to tackle the issues of freshwater biodiversity loss.”

Later this year Dr Bilotta will be producing a test to assess the accuracy of a student’s taxonomic skills to family, genus, and species level.

Students interested in using the new learning resource and/or taking the test can email Dr Bilotta at g.s.bilotta@brighton.ac.uk.

Students or staff interested in finding out more about the Springboard Grants Programme or giving to the university should email philanthropy@brighton.ac.uk.