FSC Fieldwork
Marine Biology 2021/22
The FSC has a proud history of research, education and inspiring people about the natural world, with strong links to many universities and research facilities. HE students who visit us enjoy stunning locations around the UK to carry out their fieldwork. We offer taught, co-taught or centre supported courses, and a range of other opportunities for students and staff. Advantages of using FSC: • Stunning locations with easy access to fieldwork sites • Over 70 years of providing fieldwork locations and courses • Comfortable accommodation with on-site facilities for staff and students • Generous classrooms and laboratories with interactive whiteboards • Full board catering, with unlimited tea and coffee facilities • Wet weather gear available for hire • Free wi-fi internet access • Risk assessed field sites, with access permission • 24hr duty and on call system • Free pre-visits with planning support from centre staff • Select centres have specialist field and lab equipment, long term data sets, and marine vessels.
Field Study Environments (within 1 hour of centres) We can offer superb rocky shores of a range of exposures, as well soft shores, and estuarine habitats. Other habitats available include salt marshes, sand dunes, coastal grasslands, shingle ridges and coastal lagoons, as well examples of marine conservation management and conflicts. Some universities have run more specialist marine courses such as fish parasitology and marine microbiology. FSC Millport, Isle of Cumbrae Rocky shores (sheltered and exposed). Sandy shores. There is a small on site, seawater aquarium (public have access to this facility during peak season) with tanks supplied with unfiltered seawater. In addition, there are four labs, one classroom and two large and five medium sized holding tanks with running seawater on site. Research vessel, R.V. Actinia, a twin hull, twin engine is available to hire with full vessel capabilities. It carries up to 12 passengers in addition to crew and with deep gunwales augmented by aluminium rails, provides a very safe working platform. Boarding is usually from our onsite pier and within a half hour sailing time offers access to sandy, gravel and muddy bottom sampling sites within and within an hour of sailing deeper waters (100 meters).
FSC Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire 8.0m tidal range. Multiple varied rocky shore habitats and salt marsh. Uniquely situated at the Northern Limit of some species and Southern Limit of others. Ballantine’s Exposure scale research is carried out here. Centre RIB available for collecting plankton and other near shore samples. FSC Rhyd-y-creuau, Snowdonia Penmon Point is a spectacular rocky promontory that offers high biodiversity and a great space to study zonation of species between the upper, middle and lower shore. The 180-degree view allows you to see up the east coast of Anglesey, over to Puffin Island and the Orme and down the Menai Straits towards Beaumaris. Puffin Island lies to the northeast approximately half a mile offshore and has been designated SSSI and SPA. Seals and porpoise are commonly seen from the shore on still days. FSC Flatford Mill, Suffolk Salt marsh environment with a muddy/ sandy sub shore below the salt marsh. We also have a small (and relatively flat so not great for zonation) rocky shore at Harwich for marine biodiversity and invasive species. And a shingle ridge succession in a conservation zone.
FSC Blencathra, Cumbria Some great coastal locations including: • Spits • Sand dunes • Rocky shore • Managed coastlines
FSC Margam Discovery Centre, Port Talbot • Rocky shore • Sand dunes • Salt marsh
FSC Orielton, Pembrokeshire • Rocky shore at Manorbier • Exposed and sheltered shores at Angle • Sheltered site at Sawden
FSC Slapton Ley, Devon • Rocky shore • Marine • Estuarine mud at Aveton Gifford and South Efford Marsh
FSC - Supporting Higher Education FSC Symposia Four of our centres host annual research symposia. Papers are presented on a wide range of themes, from local research and conservation issues to wider environmental topics. These events are open to all and are an ideal opportunity for HE students to give presentations on their own research. Publications FSC produces a wide range of publications including the popular fold-out identification guides and Aids to Identification of Difficult Groups of Plants and Animals (AIDGAP). Research opportunities Undergraduate and postgraduate students, postdoctoral and academics may use our field centres or sites to carry out research. These can be undertaken as a single visit, at regular intervals, or subject to availability, students can stay for longer periods. Higher Education Placements Higher education placements are available across many of our FSC centres and are suitable for undergraduates undertaking a four-year degree programme with a dedicated year for a work placement included in their course.
For further information about any of our centres or university courses, please see: www.field-studies-council.org. If you would like to discuss fieldwork opportunities, make a booking or to visit one of our centres, please contact: enquiries@field-studies-council.org.
Students on board the res
earch vessel, R.V. Actinia