Last month, Robyn Maby participated in a training day organised by CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) focused on the identification of grasses, rushes, and sedges. The event took place at the picturesque Linn Dean Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve and was skillfully conducted by botanist Ben Averis, whose vast knowledge and expertise contributed to making the day both educational and captivating.
As a consultant ecologist specialising in botany, Robyn often conducts botanical surveys, particularly concentrating on the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Nevertheless, she recognises that graminoids, comprising grasses, rushes, and sedges pose significant challenges in identification. Despite these challenges, she underscores the necessity of becoming proficient in their identification, as these plants can offer crucial information regarding soil conditions, land management strategies, and the overall health of ecosystems.
The training day took place entirely outside, a method that Robyn deemed significantly more effective and engaging than online courses. Training in the field provides a more intimate, hands-on experience for grasping plant identification, particularly in observing intricate details. During the day, participants traversed the reserve, pausing often to recognise different species as they encountered them.
A crucial element of the training involved acquiring the skills to recognise both the inflorescence (flowering parts) and the vegetative characteristics of grasses, rushes, and sedges. This facet of the training proved to be especially beneficial, as field surveys do not consistently allow for the examination of grasses during their flowering stage. The variety of plant species present at Linn Dean enhanced the session further, with Ben leading the group through an extensive array of species and providing valuable insights into their primary identification traits.
Robyn considered the day to be both pleasurable and advantageous. The training greatly enhanced her prior understanding of graminoids, and she departed with increased confidence in her capacity to recognise these frequently difficult plant categories. The session highlighted the significance of practical training in botany, and Robyn is enthusiastic about utilising her newly acquired skills in her forthcoming ecological endeavors.