Dear ECOLOG-members, As part of the biology undergraduate programme I help teach a course in ecology for first year students. Presently the course does not including any fieldwork and we wish to include such a component (~ 1 day) because we think its central to the study of ecology and it will help engage our students in the subject. Specifically it is our wish to allow them to take some simple measurements in the field to facilitate some data analysis afterwards and to give them some hands-on experience.
Our problem is that the first year biology class currently numbers 200+ students and we find ourselves in the middle of the Netherlands, with its highly managed and fragmented landscapes, and few and sensitive semi-natural areas. In addition, we have little financial means and personnel to implement fieldwork. So we face a challenge in terms of the (potential) impact of the sheer number of students on the visited system, and the rather limited financial means for the fieldwork itself and the employment of assistants. Does anyone have experience with similar situations or have any suggestions on how to tackle this? Suggestions on logistics as well as ideas for simple measurements are all very welcome. Thanks in advance & best wishes, Jasper Wubs Ecology & Biodiversity Group, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University H.R. Kruytgebouw (room N332), Padualaan 8, PO box 80.084, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands E: [email protected]; T: +31-30-2536876
