Exploring Habitat Indicator Species – SES Team Training in the Southwest
Earlier this month, members of the SES ecology team took part in the Habitat Indicator Species Course, delivered by the Species Recovery Trust in the southwest of England. This training offered a fantastic opportunity to expand our knowledge of the plant species that define and characterise a wide variety of UK habitats, from wet bogs to lowland meadow grasslands.
The course provided practical, field-based learning on how to recognise and identify indicator species, helping ecologists to better assess habitat quality and ecological value in the landscapes we work with every day.
Josey Travell, Principal Ecologist at SES, shared some of her highlights. “One of the most exciting finds was coming across the UK’s native carnivorous plants in bog habitats – the striking sundews (Drosera species). We also encountered different heather varieties across both lowland wet heath and dry heath, including heather, bell heather, and cross-leaved heath. Another highlight was spotting the UK’s smallest broadleaved tree, the creeping willow, as well as dwarf thistle – a brilliant indicator of species-rich, short calcareous grassland.”
This training will support our team in carrying out even more accurate habitat assessments and strengthen the ecological expertise we bring to our projects. Investing in continual learning through courses like this ensures SES remains at the forefront of ecological consultancy, contributing to biodiversity understanding and habitat protection across the UK.
If you are interested in learning more about our ecological services and capabilities, please get in touch today.
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