Free NERC-funded places for Freshwater Field Identification Skills
15 May, 2025
Funded by NERC, the Freshwater Biological Association, Bournemouth University, Natural England and AECOM, we are offering a free field workshop on Freshwater Taxonomy and Field Identification Skills: macroinvertebrates, protists, meiofauna and eDNA.
Enhance your expertise in freshwater ecosystem assessment with our free five-day field workshop.
Registration is now open!
Image (left): Notonecta glauca, also known as the greater water-boatman. Image (right): Flat-bodied mayfly (Heptageniidae).
Freshwater taxonomy and field identification skills: macroinvertebrates, protists, meiofauna and eDNA
Dates: 7-11 July, 2025
Location: The River Laboratory, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset
How to apply: Please complete the application form (link below)
The deadline for applications: Friday 6 June
Contact: for any questions or information please email Genoveva Esteban
Workshop details
Enhance your expertise in freshwater ecosystem assessment with our free five-day field workshop. You will learn to sample and identify macroinvertebrates, protists, and meiofauna, while gaining skills in advanced techniques such as eDNA sampling and metabarcoding. Key objectives include training in bioassessment approaches, field survey methods, laboratory identification, eDNA, and the application of water quality biotic indices and predictive models. Each participant will receive a complementary book of the FBA’s Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Identification key, and a pocket-sized bankside identification chart of invertebrate groups.
This course is perfect for postgrads and PhD students, early career researchers, postdoctoral researchers, charities, ecological consultancies, environmental NGOs, public sector and educational organisations.
The training is delivered through a unique collaboration between academic institutions (Bournemouth University), research organisations (Freshwater Biological Association), governmental bodies (Natural England), and industry (AECOM Ecology). This cross-sector approach provides participants with a well-rounded learning experience and valuable networking opportunities.
The workshop is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. Course materials, accommodation, costs towards travel within the UK, breakfast and meals are fully covered. Spaces are limited to 20 participants.
Workshop Location: The River Laboratory, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6BB
Accommodation: Springfield Country Hotel, Grange Road, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5AL
Dates: 7-11 July 2025
Eligibility
Anyone working or planning to research or work on freshwater ecology, macroinvertebrates and other organisms, and starting on eDNA. Postgrads and PhD students, early career researchers, postdoctoral researchers, charities, ecological consultancies, environmental NGOs, public sector and educational organisations. Priority will be given to NERC-funded PhDs or those with NERC projects.
Interested in applying?
Application form: Please complete the online application form
Application Deadline: 6 June 2025
For more information about course content or for administrative questions please email Genoveva Esteban
Workshop content and experts
Over five days, participants will progress from learning freshwater sampling techniques to mastering identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates, meiofauna and protists. The course integrates traditional morphological identification methods with cutting-edge eDNA techniques, allowing participants to compare results from both approaches.
By the end of the training, participants will have developed skills in sampling freshwater habitats, identifying organisms, collecting eDNA samples and conducting species assignment, and applying biotic metrics for water quality assessment. These skills are essential for biological monitoring programmes across various sectors, including environmental agencies, conservation groups, water companies, and consultancies.
Freshwater macroinvertebrates:
John Davy-Bowker (Freshwater Biological Association), Dr Melanie Fletcher (Natural England), Matt Hill (Harper Adams University) and Simon Pawley (AECOM Ecology): field sampling techniques of freshwater insects and other invertebrates, sample processing skills, family and species level macroinvertebrate identification and microscope work, calculation of common biotic indices and principles of bioassessment.
Freshwater Protists and meiofauna:
Prof Genoveva Esteban (Bournemouth University): sample collection techniques, microscopic preparation and examination, identification of functional groups, taxonomy, and ecology of protists (especially microalgae, ciliates, and flagellates) and meiofauna (including tardigrades, rotifers, and gastrotrichs).
eDNA:
Dr Demetra Andreou and Dr Kirthana Pillay (Bournemouth University): water eDNA collection, DNA extractions and sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
Post-workshop help:
We will offer a discussion forum for ID queries of future participants’ own work.
Photographs taken at Wareham near the River Laboratory.
