Invertebrate Conservation Webinars

Invertebrates are a vital component of living ecosystems. Despite this they are often under-represented in site management plans and there is a distinct lack of training regarding the skills required to properly consider and monitor invertebrates for site managers. In response to this training need we have come up with a series of 5 Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinars to help those managing sites for wildlife to understand what tools can be employed to better manage sites for invertebrates.

What are Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinars?

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinars are online training events which are comprised of a 60 minute presentation from a sector professional, followed by a 30 minute live question and answer session. We host them on Zoom and we will send out joining instructions on the day of the event.

Each webinar will be accompanied by an online article summarising important links to resources and further information, as well as hosting a recording of the presentation.

To attend the live webinars, booking is essential through the FSC website: https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/

All webinars are available at the subsidised rate of £10 for UK residents per webinar (or at the full price of £20 per webinar for non-UK residents). The full programme is listed below.

A Primer on the IUCN Red List

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinar by Mike Hoffmann (Zoological Society of London)

Wed 28, July 2021 14:30 - 16:00

The IUCN Red List is arguably the most influential conservation tool today, helping to inform conservation planning, management, monitoring and decision making.

By the end of this webinar attendees will understand what the IUCN Red List is and what it aims to do, how the criteria and categories broadly work, and how it is compiled and used. This session will:

  • Introduce the IUCN Red List, including its history and what it aims to achieve;
  • Provide a brief overview of the categories and criteria and some commonly misunderstood issues with their application;
  • Explain who is involved and how the Red List information is produced;
  • Discuss how Red List information is used;
  • And finally touch briefly on future directions.

Protected Invertebrate Species in the UK

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinar by Pete Boardman

Wed 11, August 2021 14:30 - 16:00

During this webinar we will look at the subject of protection for the UK’s invertebrate fauna and our responsibilities towards ensuring their conservation. We will discuss national and regional approaches to invertebrate status and where we are with IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) reviews of specific invertebrate groups.

By the end of the webinar learners will have a better understanding of the protection of invertebrates within the UK and what this means for their management and reporting. We will cover the following points during this session:

  • Protected invertebrates in the United Kingdom.
  • Section 41 Invertebrates.
  • IUCN Red listing of invertebrates and how that might apply to my site.
  • I have rare species of invertebrates on my site – what does it mean for me?

Sampling Sites for Invertebrates

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinar by Pete Boardman

Wed 25, August 2021 14:30 - 16:00

This webinar will look at why invertebrate sampling is a valuable method of site assessment when looking to improve or manage sites for biodiversity. We will discuss what sort of surveys are needed to carry out to find invertebrates, how to undertake or commission these surveys and what kind of outputs are needed to then analyse the survey results. We will also look at sampling invertebrates in local site based and larger landscape scale surveys.

By the end of this webinar attendees will be able to describe different invertebrate sampling methods and explain the importance of structured surveying.

Learners will be introduced to the following concepts throughout the webinar :

  • Why sample invertebrates? The law, and ethics around invertebrate surveying
  • Site selection for invertebrate sampling
  • Appropriate sampling methods for invertebrate groups.
  • How to sample to enable Pantheon analysis of survey results
  • How to conduct landscape scale invertebrate monitoring.

Assessing Invertebrate Assemblages : Using and Understanding Pantheon

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinar by David Heaver (Natural England)

Wed 08, September 2021 14:30 - 16:00

The rise of assemblages for UK invertebrates is one of the most significant advances in the field of invertebrate study as it finally removes the shackles of having to face too many species doing too many things. The increasing use of assemblages in site assessments mean this is a key skill set to acquire, particularly when managing sites and natural landscapes for the benifit of biodiversity.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will understand how to input invertebrate assemblage data into Pantheon and how to interpret the outputs produced. They will also be made familiar with the wide range of applications Pantheon has to offer when assisting with invertebrate conservation and monitoring projects in England.

Learners will be introduced to the following concepts throughout the webinar :

  • What an invertebrate sample is and how to get good ones
  • What are invertebrate assemblages and what do they cover
  • How to build up your own site survey data
  • What are Pantheons outputs and how to interpret them.

Introduction to Habitat Management for Invertebrates

Invertebrate Conservation Skills Webinar by Peter Kirby

Wed 22, September 2021 14:30 - 16:00

On most conservation sites, invertebrates are the most numerous and diverse group. It is increasingly recognised that they are important and that many are threatened. They are often nowadays taken into consideration in management plans and site assessments. But it is easy to adopt simple general-purpose or species-specific policies and to miss opportunities. Making best use of a site is easier with a good understanding of the needs of invertebrates. These are complex and varied, but some elements recur, and some principles are widely applicable.

This session will cover:

  • A brief consideration of those characteristics of invertebrates and of their life histories and lifestyles which affect their habitat requirements;
  • Broad habitat structures, mosaics, transitions, and complexity;
  • Specific niches, small habitat features and very specific requirements;
  • Continuity and catastrophe;
  • Examples of opportunities and niches provided by people, machinery, livestock and chance.

 

All webinars are available at the subsidised rate of £10 for UK residents per webinar (or at the full price of £20 per webinar for non-UK residents). 

To attend the live webinars, booking is essential through the FSC website: https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/

 

For more conservation jobs, courses and events please see environmentjob.co.uk