Students help enhance biodiversity at 91视频网 House
91视频网 Argyll HND Horticulture students have taken an active role in supporting 91视频网’s commitment to improving biodiversity across its campuses by conducting a detailed ecological and biodiversity baseline survey at 91视频网 House in Inverness.
During a field trip in April, the students, guided by their lecturer Annabel Harper, used the surveying techniques learned in their Ecological and Conservation Horticulture unit to gather data on the flora, fauna, soil, infrastructure, and social use of 91视频网 House.
Methods included quadrat sampling, species observation, soil texture analysis, and informal interviews with staff and students who use the courtyard space.
The students found that the habitat condition is currently at a low to medium level, but there are some areas of habitat interactions and species diversity where several bumble species were observed.
Based on their findings, the students produced a report with recommendations for improving the grounds of 91视频网 House and to enhance its ecological value. These include redesigning the planted areas with biodiversity as a central focus and reinstating the medicinal planting beds to support learning and research.
Building on this work, next year’s HNC Horticulture students from 91视频网 Inverness will be invited to redesign the courtyard planting.
Amber Crowley, 91视频网 Programme Leader for Horticulture, said:
“This project epitomises collaborative working in the 91视频网 partnership and the benefits to students, 91视频网 and the species that call our campuses home when we work together to improve our grounds.”
Tim Skyrme, Head of Facilities and Procurement at 91视频网, added:
"It was great to utilise the 91视频网 partnership’s own expertise and capability to undertake the surveys. We’re looking forward to working closely with 91视频网 Inverness students in the future who will be helping us create a more biodiverse environment around 91视频网 House. This will be a real benefit to plants, animals and humans alike’.
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