Long-term partnerships are underway with
scientists at the Galway Field Studies Centre at Atlantaquaria (the
National Aquarium of Ireland), with NUI Galway and GMIT to develop the
Terryland Forest Park as a major Outdoor
Laboratory and Outdoor Classroom
for the benefit of schools and third level research as well as for tourism by
promoting the city as an outdoor learning hub of national importance. Undergraduate
student projects and field studies in such disciplines as Zoology and
Microbiology are taking place under the auspices of Dr. Michel Dugon, Dr. Colin
Lawton and Dr. Caitriona Carlin of NUI Galway. The Insight Centre for Data
Analytics in conjunction with 091 Labs (digital makers’ space) are developing
sensor technology programmes to monitor weather data from the park. Volunteers
students operating under the university’s CKI
Alive programme are involved in eco-programmes in the park.
Brendan Smith of NUI Galway has
collaborated with artist Helen Caird to produce a series of attractive learning
posters detailing the flora and fauna of Terryland Forest Park that together
form an Educational Wildlife Trail through the different habitats of the
park. The information on the species shown on the display boards includes both
scientific and folklore. Thanks to Gabriel Bourke of NUI Galway, each poster has
a QR code that allows visitors to use their smart mobile devices to access additional
flora/fauna material on the park’s website. It is expected that Irish language
versions of the posters will be available later this year.
Below is an outline of the senior cycle programme from Galway Field Studies Centre:
1. Exploring Ecosystems within the Park
The Park consists of a range of ecosystems that students can explore within a relatively small area. These ecosystems include areas of grassland, sections of woodland filled with native trees, wild flower meadows and freshwater provided by the Terryland River which flows through the park from the River Corrib to Castlegar.
The Park consists of a range of ecosystems that students can explore within a relatively small area. These ecosystems include areas of grassland, sections of woodland filled with native trees, wild flower meadows and freshwater provided by the Terryland River which flows through the park from the River Corrib to Castlegar.
Students can study the diversity
of life forms, and identify a range of habitats in the ecosystem, such as under
rocks, in grass, under trees. They can learn how to identify animals and
plants, using identification keys, and identify various methods for collecting
samples and data.
Students can explore food chains
and webs within the park and examine how abiotic factors (non-living factors)
such as temperature, soil moisture, light can influence plant and animal life. All
of this can be carryout out during an ecosystem study.
2. Ecosystem Studies in the Park: Sampling Plant Life
Students begin by selecting of one of the ecosystem types (grassland, woodland or Freshwater) in the park. They then measure and map this area and describe its characteristics (such as how rocky, grassy, flat, steep it is).
Students begin by selecting of one of the ecosystem types (grassland, woodland or Freshwater) in the park. They then measure and map this area and describe its characteristics (such as how rocky, grassy, flat, steep it is).
Using a range of identification
keys, groups explore the range of plant life found in their chosen area. Using
Quadrats (a small square of known area), students examine the amount of plant
life and how this relates to abiotic factors (non-living factors), such as
temperature, light, slope and disturbance.
This helps them to build up a
picture of how different plant life is suited to different areas in the park
and how this may influence the other living things found there.
3. Collecting and Identifying Animal Life
Another important aspect of an ecosystem study is examining the range of animal life that is found in the park. Students do this by exploring the different types of invertebrates (animals with no backbone), that are found in the ecosystem they are studying.
Another important aspect of an ecosystem study is examining the range of animal life that is found in the park. Students do this by exploring the different types of invertebrates (animals with no backbone), that are found in the ecosystem they are studying.
Using a numbers of collection
methods including small traps (that don’t hurt the animals) students samples
animals such as bugs, insects, slugs and snails and spiders.
Using identification keys
students identify these animals. They then examine their adaptations to the
ecosystems in which they were found, and explore what they feed on and what
might feed on them.
Finally student’s carryout a
quantitative study (a study of the quantity or amount) of an animal in the
ecosystem. These can include animals such as worms or freshwater shrimp.
(Text 1-3 above courtesy of the Galway Field Studies at Galway Atlantaquaria)
(Text 1-3 above courtesy of the Galway Field Studies at Galway Atlantaquaria)