Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Be able to plan, assess risks and be made aware of permits necessary for zoological surveys
Understand the key principles of active and passive sampling techniques
Understand how animals can be captured, tagged, and processed in the field
Understand how sampling and measurements of animals and the environment are taken in the field
Understanding species identification techniques (using keys etc.)
Be familiar with some of the main survey methods used for a number of taxa in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments
Be familiar with several data collection tools and the collection and handling of spatial data
Understand the value and uses of historical data from museum collections
Understand how, where and why to archive data
Indicative Module Content:
the field and the key concepts behind conducting research fieldwork. The module consists of a 5-day field course, 10 workshops and two lab-based practical sessions.
Module content:
Planning and preparing for field research: Risk assessments, ethics and legislation including CITES, IUCN, Nagoya Protocol; AREC, HPRA, NPWS.
Experimental design.
Invasive vs non-invasive sampling techniques and sample storage.
Using established techniques (e.g. morphological keys, genetics?) to identify and describe species.
Methods for studying animal behaviour.
Collecting habitat and environmental data.
Collecting samples and measurements from animals - what to collect and how.
The value and use of historical data and museum collections.