The 2017 Portugal fieldcourse is now complete. We had some great feedback from students, and will strive to improve next years experience based on that feedback. We’ve had some very interesting reports from students and some amazing sightings such as hatching seagull chicks, a wandering minke whale and some amazing behaviours form lizards and various insects. Project included (but not restricted to):

– Analyses of plant biodiversity in dune systems relative to density of human presence.

– Analyses of antibiotic resistant bacteria from water samples across Peniche

– Study of common dolphin vocalizations in comparison to observed surface behaviours

– Morphological comparison between two lacertid species using a remote image measuring system

– Comparison between plant biodiversity and light exposure levels

Below you can find some pictures and videos taken during our time at Peniche.

The 2016 edition of the Portugal fieldcourse was a great success, with a larger group, a new hostel and lots of interesting projects. Some of the highlights included:

– Development of a laser for remote morphological measurement of wildlife

– Plankton biodiversity in relation to pH, salinity and water temperature

– First characterization of common-dolphin vocalization in Peniche

– Testing for antibiotic resistant bacteria in water samples from the Peniche area

– Analysis of plant diversity in the presence of parasitic Orobranche sp.

– Comparison of invertebrate diversity between habitat types in a lacustrine environment

The first edition of the Portugal fieldcourse was completed successfully, and in spite of a few teething problems, everyone had a great time and carried out some very interesting projects, including:

– Comparison of common-dolphin fin profiles using shape analyses

– Comparison between Carpobrotus biomass and species diversity

– Comparison of plankton biodiversity between different water samples around Peniche