Recording & Support -
Recording Projects
Student Projects
Each year many Earth and/or Environmental science students are required to conduct research for dissertations and projects. With limited experience, it is often difficult for these students to find meaningful and useful subjects for their research projects. Conversely, many people within the field of conservation and recording may have numerous ideas for projects that are both excellent and applicable, but unfortunately do not have the time to conduct the investigation.KMBRC hopes to provide a forum where students requiring dissertation guidance can be put in contact with those with research suggestions. If you have any suggestions for potential investigations, please take the time to e-mail the details to KMBRC for inclusion in this section of the website.
- A Review of Marine and Coastal Species that are targeted by the Foraging Industry.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Graduate or Post-Graduate
Desktop investigation sustainable harvesting of marine and coastal species. Study is to focus on the pros and cons of harvesting particular species, investigating sustainable limits - including importance for associated species. The aim is to identify information gaps and list potential pilot studies designed to fill these gaps. List of species will be provided.
To find out more about this project, please contactIngrid Chudleigh
:Email:
Ingrid.Chudleigh@English-Nature.org.ukTel:
01233 812525 - Aerial photographic study of the changes in the North East Kent coast chalk reef habitat.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Graduate or Post-Graduate
Desktop investigation of the changes in the extent and appearance of the chalk reef habitat over time – including seaweed and animal dominated areas - around the North East Kent coast using the series of aerial photographic records held by Kent County Council (Maidstone).
To find out more about this project, please contactTony Child (Thanet Coast Project)
:Email:
tony.child@thanet.gov.uk - An assessment of the recreational issues and management of the Thanet Coast.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Graduate or Post-Graduate
An assessment of the recreational and leisure pressures and current management of activities around the Thanet Coast, with the aim of identifying future options and recommendations.
To find out more about this project, please contactTony Child (Thanet Coast Project)
:Email:
tony.child@thanet.gov.uk - Analysis of Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) litter sizes from records
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood established the first professional captive breeding and reintroduction project for the Water Vole in this country in response to the catastrophic declines identified in the late 1990s. Since then we have bred more than 2,500 Water Voles for release into southern England (maximum 60 breeding pairs per year). All records are currently in chaotic paper format and need to be transferred to computer (this may take some time to sort them) and then analysed. Analysis should look at litter sizes over the year, seasonal variation in litter sizes, proportions of males to females and any seasonal differences between those proportions. It would also be useful to compare the breeding success of different bloodlines and breeding pairs and may be possible to look at litter size / survivorship vs. maternal weights.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Behaviour / behavioural enrichment of Wild Boar, Badgers, Red Deer, Otters .....and others
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Animal keepers spend all their working hours looking after their animals but they very rarely have time to stop and observe their behaviour. Studies of daily behaviour, breeding behaviour, behavioural enrichment trials are all immensely useful to animal keepers and are welcomed.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Breeding behaviour of captive Pine Martens
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood is keen to eastablish a breeding group of Martens, both to promote the conservation of this species, and top become a centre of excellence for the care and captive breeding of this shy and elusive mammal. Wildwood are also promoting the relaunch of the captive breeders' studbook to identify where captive Martens exist in Britain, and which of those are British Martens as opposed to those of European extraction. Our Martens are kept singly as they are naturally solitary animals, but the males' enclosures are linked to those of the females by movable gates and tunnels to allow them to mix during the breeding season. However, establishing the correct time to put Martens together and them separate them afterwards is crucial to the breeding success and the survival of individuals, as some may be killed in territorial fights. Observing and noting their changing behaviour as the breeding season approaches is essential. Breeding season: July-August
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Captive breeding enclosure design for the Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Most breeders in the Dormouse captive breeding scheme use small woodland enclosures per pair of animals, equipped with standard nest boxes and food / water bowls. However, the internal accommodation - height of nest boxes, floor substrate, use of branches, leaf litter and natural materials is largely left to individual breeders. As the juveniles of each breeding season are collected for release every autumn, it is important that their breeding cages should mimic the environment of their release sites as far as possible. Environmental conditions inside the captive breeding enclosures need to be examined and tested to find the optimal conditions for both breeding success and release.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Captive breeding issues of Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
The Sand Lizard is the most endangered lizard in Britain, limited to southern lowland dry heaths and some dune systems. Wildwood has been asked to breed sand lizards for reintroduction to coastal sites in Kent (they became extinct here only 50 years ago) in partnership with the Herpetological Conservation Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust. However, most captive breeders of Sand Lizards experience problems with fatal winter emergence of adults in enclosures and deaths of females after egg-laying. There is a need for detailed research to try to establish the causes of these fatalities and to offer solutions for the future.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.orgWebsite:
www.herpconstrust.org.uk/ - Dietary preferences of the Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
While the Harvest Mouse is found throughout most of southern Britain, it has become increasingly scarce from the Midlands northwards. Chester Zoo is promoting a captive breeding and reintroduction programme for the Midlands, and Wildwood is one of its satellite breeding stations. Research on housing, accommodation and dietary preferences is always welcome to contribute to our knowledge of this species.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Dietary preferences of the Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellenarius)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood is part of the national captive breeding group for the Hazel Dormouse, an endangered small mammal strongly associated with coppice woodlands in southern England. in the wild, these squirrel relatives feed on a wide range of leaves, tree flowers, fruit, nuts and invertebrates in season. But establishing the most successful diet in captivity for these acrobatic, arboreal mammals is proving difficult. Research into their dietary preferences and finding suitable substitutes in captivity, or investigating setting up a captive breeding / growth unit to provide duplicate wild food, would be extremely helpful in preparing them for release to the wild. Students may choose this over and above other species, as Dormice are more popular and cute, but this study would probably be less useful, in conservation terms, than those involving Water Shrews or Water Voles.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Dietary preferences of the Pine Marten
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood currently has six Martens which are kept in outdoor enclosures, being naturally solitary in the wild. They are predominantly fed meat, but it is known that wild Martens eat a very varied diet, according to seasonal availability. Wildwood's aim is to keep our animals as naturally as possible and information on dietary preferences would be very helpful.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Dietary preferences of Water Shrews (Neomys fodiens)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Water Shrews are generally recognised as being 'the next Water Vole', as they are becoming increasingly rare in the wild and may be suffering a similar catastrophic decline. Wildwood is currently breeding Water Shrews for King's College, London, as part of its DNA work on wild populations. Establishing the most successful diet in captivity for these highly active, freshwater insectivorous mammals is proving very difficult. Research into their dietary preferences and finding suitable substitutes in captivity, or investigating setting up a captive breeding unit to provide duplicate wild food, would be extremely helpful in preparing them for their release to the wild.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Dietary preferences of Water Voles (Arvicola terrestris)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Water Voles born in the captive breeding programme are released in phases throughout the year to target sites. In captivity they are fed root vegetables, hard fruit and a prepared rodent food, but this does not prepare them for their diet in the wild, which covers more than 270 different plants. Investigations should trial a variety of wild food plants and assess the Voles' preferences, so that these can be taken into account when assessing release site suitability. Research into their dietary preferences and finding suitable substitutes in captivity, or investigating setting up a captive breeding / growth unit to provide duplicate wild food, would also be extremely helpful in preparing them for their release to the wild.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Distribution and abundance of Pine Martens
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Pine Martens were found in the Blean wood complex in the early 1800s, but were persecuted throughout their range over the next 150 years. Today, only Scotland and Ireland boast reasonable populations. Wildwood has been working with the Institute of Technology in Waterford, Eire, over the last two years to help the Institute develop DNA techniques to identify individual Martens and establish the relatedness within individuals in wild populations. In 2003 a DICE MSc student undertook a reserach project with the Institute to assess Pine Marten distribution and abundance in three Irish woodlands and this project could be repeated on the same sites or others.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.orgWebsite:
www.wit.ie - Female perforation and the role of the male Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
The cloaca of a juvenile female Water Vole is sealed by a thin layer of skin, which is perforated by the male during copulation. This layer of skin may re-grow if she is separated from the male, often over winter, and renewed perforation is the first sign that they have mated after pairing in the spring. But it appears that the female may also become perforate without the male being present. Assessing the date of mating is crucial to 1) monitoring the female during pregnancy, and 2) forecasting the date of birth of the young. Any investigation should examine the role of the male, and the speed of perforation after pairing.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - GIS Research Project – Thanet Coastal Activities.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Graduate or Post-Graduate
The Thanet Coast Project currently has baseline GIS data for the NE Kent Coast. Over the last couple of years it has collated records of coastal activities recorded by a few volunteers on a trial recording scheme. This trail data needs to be analyzed to seek any trends, seek ways of getting improving data capture, and recommend ways for improving future data recording. The trail survey forms have now been adapted for use by the new Thanet Coastal Warden Scheme – that was launched in 2004/5 - as part of their core recording work.
To find out more about this project, please contactTony Child (Thanet Coast Project)
:Email:
tony.child@thanet.gov.uk - Growth rates in juvenile Water Voles (Arvicola terrestris)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood has released Water Voles to several sites where there is currently no ongoing funding to monitor their progress after the first year. Water Voles for release are generally microchipped for easy identification later, using Water Vole traps, and records are available on individuals and when and where they were released. Any investigation could monitor a single population or compare the results of released populations in different habitats. Release sites are not owned by Wildwood and written permission would be needed for researchers to gain access. Own transport required
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Impact of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) on coppice woodland and ground flora regeneration
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wild Boar are large woodland mammals which were hunted to extinction in Britain in the 1700s. Today a free-living population of around 300 animals inhabits some Kent and Sussex woodlands as a result of escapes from Boar farms. In summer 2002, Wildwood moved its small family group of Boar (then three adults and seven piglets) from a coppice woodland enclosure they had occupied for two years to a new enclosure to a new enclosure in a nearby conifer plantation. The regeneration of the ground flora in 2003 in the first enclosure as a result of the Boars' rooting in the soil, turning over the seeds in the seed bank and removing some trees, has been remarkable, but no survey of the resulting flora has been carried out. Little work on the positive benefits of Wild Boar in managing British woodland habitats has been carried out. The former Wild Boar enclosure at Wildwood offers an ideal opportunity to gain some strong scientific evidence in their favour, particularly in view of DEFRA's current consultation programme on a possible cull to eradicate free-living Boar in southern England.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Literature reviews on British wildlife
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
British wildlife does not have the glamour of some of the most high profile endangered species in the world and little research has been undertaken on them in the field or in activity. What has been done is often difficult to find. Literature reviews of any British species would be immensely useful as a resource for future reference.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Marine fisheries GIS - Interpretation & further analysis of CHARM Project outputs.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group / CCCU-Dept. of Geographical & Life Sciences
- Study Level:Level 3 or Post-Graduate
The CHARM project (2003-2005, http://charm.canterbury.ac.uk) has created an atlas of marine habitats, important species and living resources for the Eastern English Channel. In particular, it present distribution maps and preferential habitats for 16 commercial species of fish for the period 1989-2004. These numerous maps require further interpretation and analysis in order to explain the patterns recorded. Projects can be tailored to the level of the student who will be expected to use GIS technology (guidance will be provided) and perform literature searches on the species he/she will have selected to study.
To find out more about this project, please contactCorinne Martin
:Email:
c.s.martin@canterbury.ac.ukTel:
01227 767700, extension 2324 - Social behaviour of European Wolves (Canis lupus)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood has a breeding pack of 11 Wolves - an alpha pair and their offspring from three years (2000 - 2002) with a subordinate adult female - as well as two hand-reared sisters, which are kept beside but separate from the main pack. The heirarchical and social behaviour between members of the pack offers a popular research project, as well as interactions between the pack and the two sisters, and interactions between all Wolves and people. Any research study would need some preliminary time spent identifying individuals.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Survivorship and dispersal in introduced Water Vole populations (1)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
- Survivorship and dispersal in introduced Water Vole populations (2)
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Computer-based study to investigate initial dispersal and survivorship of Water Voles from release pens at a site in Kent. In 2003 Wildwood released 50 animals in soft release pens to a stream in East Malling, Kent. Half were collected from the more natural, large outdoor breeding pens at Wildwood the day before release and half were collected from the pens a month before and held in small individual cages indoors, subject to regular cleaning out and human contact. This experiment was designed to assess the impact of pre-release accommodation and human contact on their survivorship and dispersal in the wild. The release pens were monitored daily for the first week after release, then every second day, and then at longer intervals afterwards. Records were collected on the presence of voles, burrows and amount of food eaten. From this data a survivorship and behaviour comparison could be made between these two sets of Water Voles. Other variables, such as weight on release and survivorship vs. gender, could also be investigated.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Thanet Coastal Monitoring: Beach Levels.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Schools or Graduate to Post Graduate
Update of data held by Thanet District Council data on beach levels at 47 transect locations around the Thanet coast between 1988 and 1996. Currently in the form of raw data, includes maps of transect lines, beach levels in metres above ordnance datum and also records beach material (sand, shingle, chalk).
To find out more about this project, please contactMike Humber
:Email:
mike.humber@thanet.gov.uk - The future impact of sea level rise on the Thanet Coast habitats and species.
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
- Study Level:Graduate or Post-Graduate
A desktop study looking at the implications of predicted sea level rises on the species and habitats over the next 100 years around the North East Kent European marine sites area. This would take into account current coastal management – and in particular the coastal squeeze of chalk reef habitats - and look into possible options for alleviating pressure, and enhancing habitats.
To find out more about this project, please contactTony Child (Thanet Coast Project)
:Email:
tony.child@thanet.gov.uk - The impact of wild Konik horses (Equus caballus gemelli) on reedbed ecology
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
In 2002, Wildwood imported from Holland two herds of Konik Horses, descendants of the wild horse called the Tarpan which helped to shape the British landscape 3,000 years ago, to two nature reserves in East Kent. Whilst one herd is looked after and managed by Kent Wildlife Trust on its Ham Fen reserve, Wildwood still manages and monitors the herd at Stodmarsh, the largest tract of reedbeds left in the south east, and a National Nature Reserve managed by English Nature. Here the hed is confined to areas of grazing marsh and reedbed, and already beneficial changes are being noticed in terms of additional invertebrate life, attracted by the horses' communal dung heaps. English Nature has a wealth of ecological information about its Stodmarsh reserve, although agreement to release that to a researcher, as well as access to the reserve, would have to be agreed with both English Nature and the farmer concerned. Any investigation could examine plant and / or invertebrate diversity in compartments managed by the horses, with domestic cattle, or with existing records. Own transport required
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - The implications of creating a ‘No Take Zone’ on the Thanet Coast.
A study looking at the implications for species and coastal users of introducing a designated ‘No Take Zone’ to allow future scientific studies between these research areas and designated areas where recreational and harvesting activities can take place.
To find out more about this project, please contactTony Child (Thanet Coast Project)
:Email:
tony.child@thanet.gov.uk - Water Shrew (Neomys fodiens) behaviour
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Water Shrew daily behaviour remains something of a mystery as they are rarely found in the wild, except as corpses! Wildwood is to keeping native animals as naturally as possible, but it is difficult for animal staff to find time to observe and study the behaviour of large numbers of small mammals in their care. Any investigation should focus on activities such as foraging, feeding, grooming, interacting with others and include suggestions on housing, substrates, enrichment, diet, etc.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org - Woodland ecology and management
- Research Partner/Supervisor:
Wildwood
Wildwood is a 42-acre ancient coppice woodland site on the edge of the Forest of Blean, one of the largest tracts of ancient woodland in southern England. The Blean is famed for its Nightingales, Hazel Dormice and Stag Beetles, as well as rare fungi and Heath Fritillary Butterfly, which occurs at only three sites in the country. Wildwood manages its broadleaved coppice woodland (predominantly Sweet Chestnut and Silver Birch within Oak standards) on a 20-year rotation; in addition it owns 10 acres of fifty-year-old conifer plantation (predominantly Western Hemlock and Corsican Pine). Both woodland habitats offer many opportunities to study the distribution and abundance of plants, fungi, invertebrates, birds and small mammals through coppice succession or comparisons of the broadleaved coppice and conifer plantation environments and to offer suggestions for their future management. Currently, A-level and IB students undertake their own comparative studies but no baseline survey data exists to help them. Any research which would provide such data, however indirectly, would be beneficial to them and would also contribute to the knowledge of what exists in the Blean. Results would also be useful for the Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre. Research could cover ground flora, soil / leaf litter / vegetation, invertebrates, small mammals, birds, etc.
To find out more about this project, please contactAnne Riddell
:Email:
anne@wildwoodtrust.org
Research Projects at Wildwood 2007
All researchers wishing to undertake projects at Wildwood will be asked to sign a protocol to ensure Wildwood's help is acknowledged in their written dissertation / thesis and that Wildwood is provided with a copy of their submitted research at the end of the project.
In the first instance, prospective researchers should contact Anne Riddell (Wildwood's Education Officer) on 01227 711900, or e-mail anne@wildwoodtrust.org with an outline of their proposal. Wildwood is keen to support research where it benefits the conservation or health and welfare of the animals in their collection. They have strong links with many of the conservation organisations and researchers working on British species - please ask for help if required! Current projects available at Wildwood are listed below, click on the title to show more the project details.
North East Kent Coastal Advisory Group
Many natural science based students are required to carry out research for dissertations and projects as part of their course. This list is an attempt by people - connected with the North East Kent Scientific Coastal Advisory Group - to identify potential projects that will contribute towards the research needed to contribute to the better understanding of the North East Kent coast. Available projects are listed below. Any further suggestions for potential research projects in this subject can be forwarded to thanet.coast@thanet.gov.uk using the information using the standardised table, based on the details used by the Biological Records Centre at Tyland Barn. This information is displayed within the research sections on the Thanet Coast Project's website.
Other Student Projects
The contact details for other projects can be seen by clicking on the project title. If you have any suggestions for potential investigations, please take the time to e-mail the details to KMBRC for inclusion in this section of the website.
