[Lista-Algas] OTRO MÁS: 2011 Freshwater Algae Course, Kindrogan Field Centre, Scotland

[Andrés Boltovskoy]

FRESHWATER ALGAE COURSE 2011
Where and when?

Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland (near the tourist area of Pitlochry), 

Friday, 3 June – Friday, 10 June, 2011.  This is the 16th year that the course has been offered.

Kindrogan Field Centre

The Kindrogan Field Centre is a self-contained and fully equipped field station set in wooded grounds on the banks of the River Ardle in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. It lies within easy reach of some of the remotest areas of the UK with inspiring landforms and rich range of wildlife habitats.  There is accommodation for 113 persons.  The Centre has been modernized and has a commons room, library, dining room, drying room, five classrooms / laboratories, conference room and bar.  Take a virtual tour inside the centre and the surrounding area at: http://www.field-studies-council.org/kindrogan/

What is the course about?

The course takes full advantage of the excellent range of relatively unspoiled aquatic and terrestrial habitats in this beautiful area of Highland Perthshire to provide a sound introduction to the recognition, identification and ecology of freshwater algae.  Emphasis will be placed on the use of the microscope and taxonomic keys (print and electronic) for the identification to generic and species level and their ecological importance.

 

For those with some prior knowledge of the algae, we hope that the opportunity to study samples from a range of habitats will broaden their knowledge and/or allow them to focus on particular groups. 

 

Field trips, on foot or by vehicle, will be varied, but not strenuous and will be complemented by laboratory work, illustrated talks and class discussion.  An all-day field trip will sample numerous lochs, streams, rivers and marshes, including a distillery tour.

 

The course focuses on how to get to grips with identification, and the broader aspects of algal morphology, structure, reproduction, and classification (morphological and molecular).  We normally see live examples of all major algal groups, including freshwater reds and browns.

 

The last evening we assemble in the bar for our world famous “algal charades”.

Who are the course tutors?

The course tutors, Dr Eileen Cox and Prof Elliot Shubert, have taught this course for the past 15 years and they have a wide-ranging expertise on freshwater algae.  Eileen and Elliot conduct research at The Natural History Museum, London, specialising in diatoms and green algae respectively.  Eileen has published a key to live diatoms.  Elliot has published a key to the non-motile coccoid and colonial green algae and is Associate Editor for the European Journal of Phycology and Editor-in-Chief of Systematics and Biodiversity.

We will be joined for part of the course by Guest Tutor, Dr Laurence Carvalho, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, will give a presentation on the EU Water Framework Directive with special reference to lakes and he will describe their counting methods, and Guest Lecturer, Prof Geoff Codd, Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, who will give a presentation on cyanobacterial toxins.  

Who are the participants?

The course is open to individuals with different backgrounds ranging from beginners to those who would like to refresh their knowledge of particular groups of algae or experience collecting in a different region of the world.  Previous participants have come from over 30 different countries.  

What is the full cost of the course?

The course costs £475 per person (approx. 570€ or $742), which includes sole occupancy accommodation (shared accommodation is £405), all meals (please notify the Centre if you have any special dietary needs), transport from/to Pitlochry and to field sites, use of the library and internet and tuition.  This is excellent value for money and costs significantly less than other freshwater algal courses on offer.  

Is there support for students? Yes, support for a student stipend is available.

1. The British Phycological Society http://www.brphycsoc.org/funding.lasso

The deadlines for applications are: 30 September, 1 December, 1 March and 1 June.  The sooner you apply, the better are your chances are of receiving a stipend. Please note that you have to be a student member of BPS three-months prior to making an application for financial support.  DO NOT DELAY, APPLY TODAY.

2. Graduate students who are members of the Phycological Society of America are eligible for financial support to attend a phycology course at a field station from the Hannah T. Croasdale Fellowship. http://www.psaalgae.org/ops/grants.shtm

The Hannah T. Croasdale Fellowships are designed to encourage graduate students to broaden their phycological training by defraying the costs of attending phycology courses at biological field stations. The purpose of the award is to broaden phycological training and not necessarily to further research goals. Proposals to study at field stations associated with universities other than the student's own are especially encouraged. Awards are made directly to the student in amounts up to $1000 each. Completed application should be sent to Eric Linton (linto1ew at cmich.edu) by March 1st.   DO NOT DELAY, APPLY TODAY.

3. The British Ecological Society (http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org) has Specialist Course Grants available for BES members (undergraduate and graduate) allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.  The grant covers the course fee which includes accommodation but not travel. Application is by form, available from the BES office and downloadable from this webpage. http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/articles/grants/attendmeetings/

How do you get to Kindrogan?

Edinburgh and Glasgow have international airports.  The airports have a coach connection to the main railway station in the respective cities.  

The nearest mainline railway station is Pitlochry, which is on the London Kings Cross-Edinburgh-Inverness route.  Participants will be met at Pitlochry by Kindrogan staff.  

Where can I find more information?

·                    For detailed information about the Kindrogan Field Centre: http://www.field-studies-council.org/kindrogan/ 

 

·                    For information on the Field Studies Council:  http://www.field-studies-council.org/



·                    Course information for 2011 and a booking form: http://www.field-studies-council.org/professional/2011/courseinfo.aspx?id=250



·                    Detailed information about the course, including the daily schedule: 

http://www.field-studies-council.org/documents/centres/IandF_extra/2011/250/Freshwater%20Algae.pdf

If you have any other queries, please contact: e.shubert at nhm.ac.uk

Prof Elliot Shubert
Department of Botany
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD
United Kingdom

Tel 020 7942-5606 (UK)

Tel +44 207 942-5606 (International)

Fax 020 7942-5529 (UK)

Fax +44 207 942-5529 (International)

 
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