Project Description:
Biological invasions are incredibly damaging and quantifying the impact of invasions is imperative. This project will combine a mixture of field, lab and desk
work to address the issue of invasive Zander (Zander lucioperca) and invasive crayfish species. You will be trained in basic fisheries science, bulk content
analysis, stable isotope analysis, macro invertebrate sampling and crayfish trapping. You will join a thriving lab group and assist in other peoples fieldwork and
lab work alongside your own. There will be plenty of opportunities for sharing findings and networking across my collaborators – especially the canal and
rivers trust.
The project will involve measuring, weighing, sexing juvenile Zander caught and removed from the canals network. You will complete gut content analysis to
quantify what they have consumed. You will process the Zander to collect stable isotope samples and travel to Scotland to learn how to process them using
Mass Spectrometry at NEIF. You will join our annual crayfish field campaign and learn how to sample for crayfish with other members of the lab. You will be
taught invertebrate identification and how to statistically analyse the results. You will have the option of learning how to use automated behavioural tracking
software to assess crayfish invasion behaviour. Every week we have a lab group meeting and share and learn from each other.
Pre-requisites: N/A
Supervisory Team: Josie South
Contact: Josie South, [email protected]
