MOSSES, LIVERWORTS AND LICHENS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF LOWER PLANTS
Run in collaboration with the University of Wales Aberystwyth, the course is a practical
workshop where you will be shown how to use a binocular and compound microscope and to
use reference texts and keys to identify specimens. We will focus on the commoner species,
utilizing the habitats at CAT and numerous specimens. By the end of the course you should be
able to tackle the identification of unknown specimens and confidently name a good range of
common species.
Complete beginners will benefit greatly and no prior knowledge is required to tackle the course.
Students with some previous knowledge/familiarity or skills in the identification of plants and
the use of microscopes will be at a slight advantage.
There will be 20 contact hours with the tutor but additional study time during the day or
evening will be required to gain full benefit from the course and gain the qualification. You
will be encouraged to ask questions and share ideas, to learn not only from the tutor but also
from other members of the group.
The course is fully accredited by the University of Wales Aberystwyth, giving you the
opportunity to study at Higher Education level 1, giving 10 credits, which are fully transferable
between institutions. Assessment work is embedded in the course and consists of keeping a
lab/field notebook as a running record of your observations and ideas. You will also make a
small herbarium of the specimens identified during the course and your contribution to general
informal discussion, questioning and response during the course will be continuously assessed.
The lab/field notebook and materials to produce the herbarium are included in the course fee.
Reference materials and keys, microscopes etc will be provided for your use during the course.
COURSE TUTOR
Margaret Howells of The University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
WHAT TO BRING
Reference materials and all equipment will be provided for use during the course. Further
details (reading material, references, websites and useful things to bring along) will be sent to
you approximately 4-6 weeks before the course starts.
It is advisable to bring wet weather gear and strong footwear as we are based in an old slate
quarry.
If you are staying on-site, we provide bedding but you will need to bring a towel. A torch is
useful for moving between buildings at night.
