Exploring lichen communities in Pembrokeshire

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1 OR B April Thu - Mon Centre Level Date Exploring lichen communities in Pembrokeshire Days Shared occupancy cost Sole occupancy Non-Residential cost cost Orielton is an impressive Georgian mansion set in 100 acres of woodland. Located close to the UK s only coastal national park, it is near to excellent beaches, with a wide range of activities on hand, making it an excellent place to explore. Course Overview Pembrokeshire offers excellent habitats from rocky coasts to ancient woodlands containing rich lichen communities with many common and some nationally rare species. Daily field excursions are followed by evening sessions with the aid of an easy-to-use handbook and microscopes. Beginners are welcome. In 2016 we will be following a similar programme to 2015 but in a different range of habitats and sites so that participants get a feel for the distinct lichen communities that make up the great diversity of lichens in Pembrokeshire. Lichens inform us of changes in our environment including recent changes in air quality and the effects of changes in land management and Pembrokeshire is a good place to investigate this. This year we will explore lichens growing in three different environments; epiphytic lichens in the woods and trees around Orielton, saxicolous lichens on the walls of St David s that date from 6 th century onwards, and Stackpole NNR a coastal site on carboniferous limestone that provides a great diversity of specialist soil lichens. St David s cathedral is part of an ancient site of buildings and enclosures where we can find lichen communities associated with a variety of rocks used in the walls and as gravestones; and with the aspect and age of the walls of the cathedral, the Bishops palace and enclosures. An optional extra day will include a visit to Ty Canol NNR on the Preseli hills, an ancient woodland that includes a prehistoric site. Days will be spent in the field but we will be back in time to investigate lichens under the microscope looking at characters that are the basis of identifying lichens. If there are special requests for places or species we will try to incorporate these into the programme. The cost of the trip and full board accommodation on Monday is 100 sole occupancy / 90 shared. Should you wish to book the additional day please contact Orielton directly. Teleoschistes on Oak at Orielton by C Hurford

2 E x p l o r i n g l i c h e n s i n P e m b r o k e s h ire Course Aims The course will aim to introduce participants to many common and some unusual lichens that are found in Pembrokeshire. The varied geology in this area supports a range of habitats and scenery from dramatic coasts to ancient woodlands, some of these being fragments of what was once there. This combined with the warming effect of the Gulf Stream over centuries has meant that lichens from warm-temperate conditions have survived here in nooks and crannies. Course Activities Usnea florida at Ty Canol by C Hurford Lichens are also survivors in our man-managed landscapes and we shall investigate how these can be used as indicators of long ecological continuity of conditions as well as of recent changes in conditions in urban and agricultural sites. We can compare lichen communities of rock outcrops with those of prehistoric stone monuments or in churchyards, and lichen communities on ancient oak trunks with those on newly grown twigs of the same tree. What can the lichens tell us about changes in environmental conditions over centuries and sometimes millennia? You can enjoy this course at the level you choose, as a beginner interested in the role of lichens as environmental indicators, or as a field lichenologist who would like opportunities to visit new areas and look at lichens and their communities in the field and under the microscope. This course will give participants a chance to investigate lichens in special environments in Pembrokeshire at all levels from field identification of lichen communities and their component species to the observation of microscopic characters that provide the basis for lichen taxonomy. Chemistry has been widely used as a taxonomic tool to identify lichens and this is exemplified by simple spot tests in the field and the lab. Chemicals for spot tests will be provided but please bring small plastic eye dropper bottles (if you have them) for your own personal use. Visits to areas where collections of common lichens can be made as well as to important lichenrich habitats in Pembrokeshire where collecting may be restricted. Habitats will include rocky shores with different geology together with ancient monuments and churchyards, and trees in a variety of habitats from ancient woodland to parkland and urban situations. Introduction to techniques for identification of lichens including microscopy and the use of spot tests to identify a few of the lichen compounds which enable lichens to live in the harshest environments. Use of identification keys and literature, setting up simple monitoring experiments to monitor changes in species or communities. Identify Pembrokeshire specialities and explore the use and application of indicator species and lists. Evenings are spent carrying out practical assessments in the laboratory, using microscopes to study samples more closely, and participating in talks given by your tutors. Tel: enquiries.or@field-studies-council.org Fax:

3 E x p l o r i n g l i c h e n s i n P e m b r o k e s h i r e Programme The planned schedule includes: Thursday 21 st : Friday 22 nd : Arrival between pm. After the evening meal there will be an introduction to lichens, their structure and unusual lifestyle and the characters used to identify them. We will compare lichen communities of trees in an urban site at Pembroke with lichen communities around Orielton looking at changes in species and frequency. Evening talk: The application of lichens to air pollution studies and to understanding changes over time as demonstrated locally at Pembroke and Orielton. Lab work on specimens that we have collected. Saturday 23 rd : Visit to St David s Cathedral and its environs to find the lichens that distinguish both geology, aspect and age of walls and gravestones in a very special environment. This is an area where we cannot collect so must concentrate on field identification using books and chemicals. Evening talk: Lichens of Pembrokeshire characteristics of lichens found in the west of Britain and their specialist components. Sunday 24 th : Visit Stackpole NNR to look at terricolous lichens (on soil) and specialities of coastal carboniferous limestone, where we can find several national rarities. Evening: Feedback and review of the course; introduction to Ty Canol NNR. Monday 25 th : Departure after breakfast. Optional visit to National Nature Reserve at Ty Canol, a site where oak trees cling to rock outcrops and cascade down to the Nevern estuary on the edge of the Preseli hills. Ty Canol supports a special lichen community associated with ancient sites in the western highlands of Wales and Scotland. Tuesday 26 th : Depart after breakfast (for those booked for the optional Ty Canol day). Field excursions may be subject to alteration due to weather conditions

4 E x p l o r i n g l i c h e n s i n P e m b r o k e s h i r e Useful literature Bring the field guide that you normally use, e.g. Frank Dobson's Lichens - An Illustrated guide to Lichens in Britain and Ireland. The latest version (2005) has good colour pictures together with keys and descriptions, but if you have an older version that you are accustomed to using please bring that. A copy of the 2009 Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland will be available for use on the course. Check out the website at if you wish to obtain a copy. Other FSC lichen guides will be available for purchase at the Centre, so check out the website to see what is available at Further BLS literature will also be available. What to Bring Casual and warm waterproof clothing Stout shoes or boots Torch Lunchbox and drinks bottle / flask Sunglasses, sun hat, and sun lotion Small haversack Hand lens (x10 or x15 magnification) Bottles used for eye drops will be useful for chemicals for spot tests of lichens. Chemicals will be provided. Locking folding knife Notebook and pencil Fulgensia fulgens at Stackpole by C Hurford Paper envelopes (e.g. A5) for making field collections A4 paper for making specimen packets (one side used is OK) (Bedding and a bath towel provided) If you have your own microscope and are travelling by car it is a good idea to bring it. Dissecting microscopes are available at the Centre and a few compound microscopes are available to share. About the Tutors Pat Wolseley Pat Wolseley lived and worked in Pembrokeshire as a botanist and lichenologist for many years before leaving in 1990 to become a Leverhulme Fellow at the Natural History Museum on lichens as indicators of environmental conditions in the tropics. Much of her life was spent in Pembrokeshire and her first research into lichens was undertaken at Ty Canol Woods NNR and SSSI, in an area of relict oak woods on the side of the Preseli Hills in She has undertaken many surveys for the Countryside Council for Wales in a wide variety of habitats and has been very much involved with the use of lichens as indicators of atmospheric pollution for the OPAL project. This work has led to the development of guides for assessing air quality together with CEH and FSC. She has been associated with the Field Studies Council for many years, continues to work at the Natural History Museum as a Scientific Associate and is an ex- President of the British Lichen Society. She lives at Nettlecombe in Somerset.

5 E x p l o r i n g l i c h e n s i n P e m b r o k e s h i r e Theresa Greenaway Theresa Greenaway is an ecologist with a life-long interest in all branches of natural history. She is the author of over 50 books on plants and animals for children. Starting work with the Sussex Wildlife Trust in the early 2000s, she managed ecological surveys and drew up a monitoring strategy for the Trust s reserves. She also became an ecological advisor for a major re-wilding project in Sussex, an involvement that still continues. However, it was while at Sussex Wildlife Trust that she became particularly intrigued by lichens and their ecology. Now a life member of the British Lichen Society and living in Wales, Theresa is keen to promote interest in lichens by teaching and running field days and has also contributed to lichen educational projects at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Start and finish times Resident guests are requested to arrive between pm on Thursday 21 st April and register at Reception on arrival. The course begins with an introduction after the evening meal. Breakfast will be at 8.00am. The course will end after breakfast on Monday 25 th April. For those booked for the optional Ty Canol visit, departure will be after breakfast on Tuesday 26 th. Non-resident guests will be contacted prior to the course start date to confirm the time of the introductory talk. What s included within the fee? The residential course includes Up to 10 hours of tuition a day, plus relaxing breaks for meals and refreshments Full board accommodation including a cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, homemade cakes and an evening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary options are available Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day Use of resources including library, workrooms and the Centre grounds Centre organised transport during the course (other than boat trips) and most admission fees Transfer to and from Pembroke train station (if required) Sticta sylvatica by C Hurford Insurance to cover cancellation, personal belongings, personal accident, legal liability and medical emergency/emergency travel arrangements (Non-resident course fees include all of the above except breakfast and accommodation) Tel: enquiries.or@field-studies-council.org Fax:

6 E x p l o r i n g l i c h e n s i n P e m b r o k e s h i r e Recent Customer Feedback A fantastic course, I am very glad I came to do this The course was very well planned and run. The whole stay ran like clockwork A splendid course, good locations to visit. I came because Pat Wolseley was taking it and was not disappointed How to Book Check availability and make a provisional booking by telephoning the Centre on To confirm your booking please complete a booking form in the brochure or online form on our website Usnea florida by C Hurford