From December 2010
Project Leader(s): Lucie Scriven
Staff: Dr Gordon Port
Contact: l.a.scriven@ncla.c.uk
Sponsors: Rio Tinto Alcan
Biological diversity is regarded as a desirable feature within any landscape. This project aims to research the most beneficial management enhancements for biodiversity on both Brownfield and Greenfield sites around the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter at Lynemouth.
The project will involve (i) assessing the value of existing sites, (ii) indentifying potential areas of improvements, (iii) managing the enhancements and (iv) monitoring their impact.
Using pollinators such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies as an indicator of species diversity, habitats will be monitored to determine their ecological value to the site. Following this, management strategies such as mowing regimes and the installation of solitary bee refuges will be implemented in trial plots to assess whether these strategies have a significant effect on the site biodiversity.
The data collected from this studentship will be used to assist in the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan for the site, a request by Rio Tinto Alcan to be completed by 2015. This document will highlight species of particular importance within the site boundaries and areas where increased land management would enhance habitats protecting species for the future.
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Dr Gordon Port
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Dr Roy Sanderson
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