Volume 17, 2017
Earthworm community development in organic matter-amended plots on reclaimed colliery spoil
K. R. Butt
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire,
P. D. Putwain
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool
Abstract
Earthworms were sampled at a semi-restored colliery spoil site at Chisnall Hall in Lancashire, two and a half years after the site had been experimentally treated with a number of organic matter applications of anaerobic digestate and compost-like output, in isolation and in combinations. This gave six treatments including a control with no amendment. The material was mechanically dug into the site into replicated 20 x 10 m plots. Within each plot, four types of plant, ash, cherry, willow and reed canary grass, were introduced. Results showed that all organic treatments gave rise to significantly higher community densities of earthworms, with the greatest (638 earthworms m-2) in the high digestate application (1875 t ha-1) treatment, compared with 192 earthworms m-2 in the unamended control (p<0.05). Species that contributed to greatest numbers were Allolobophora chlorotica (the green worm) and Aporrectodea caliginosa (the grey worm), both shallow-working, and Aporrectodea longa (the black-headed worm), a deep burrower. Nine earthworm species were encountered in total. Planting type had no significant effect on earthworm density. Addition of organic matter to a colliery spoil site greatly enhanced earthworm community density, through a combination of immigration from surrounding areas and increased reproduction.
Educational potential of peatlands and prehistoric bog oaks in Lancashire and adjoining regions
Jonathan Lageard1, Lizzie Bonnar1, Thomas Briggs1, Simon Caporn1,
Emma Clarke1, Chris Field1, Callum Hayles1, Anna Keightley1, Graham Smith1, Lydia McCool2, Peter Ryan3, Tor Yip4
1 School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University,
2 Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Environmental Resource Centre,
3 School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester,
4 Faculty of Science & Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Abstract
This paper documents recent projects where peatlands and bog oak discoveries have been at the heart of both education and research at Manchester Metropolitan University. Peatlands are numerous in the Manchester and surrounding areas and have been exploited over millennia. Peat removal has uncovered the remains of prehistoric woodlands, and bog oaks are now the focus of undergraduate research, revealing the nature of the prehistoric environment. Currently postgraduate research aims to optimise conditions for the successful re-vegetation of peat surfaces, reflecting a shift in attitudes from peatland exploitation to restoration. Organizations such as the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Manchester Metropolitan University have been at the forefront of recent initiatives to conserve and enhance peatlands, as well as to communicate their values: palaeoecological, wildlife and biodiversity, ability to store carbon as a buffer against climate change, water storage, recreational and amenity. Initiatives such as the Chat Moss and Accessing Manchester’s Mosslands Projects are highlighted as examples of good practice in communicating peatland values and research to wider audiences. Educational initiatives embracing peatlands in the curricula and research are key to producing knowledgeable and enthusiastic future champions of our peatlands.
Bury in 1831: a newly-discovered early plan of the town
Brian Robson and Nick Scarle
School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester
Abstract
A formerly unknown town plan of Bury by John Wood has recently been discovered. Previously the only known plan of a Lancashire town by Wood was of Rochdale which was also was done in 1831. The Bury plan has some features which differ from most of Wood’s numerous plans of other towns, for example its lack of reference to inns, the absence of landowners’ names and the very generalised depiction of many buildings. This may suggest that Wood cut short the survey in light of poor sales. However, the Bury map is important since it is now the earliest detailed plan of the town and comparison with the first 6″ OS map shows it to be highly accurate. Comparison with an 1843 map of Bury by Benson shows the pattern of the early growth of the industrial town in the 12 years between the two surveys.
A-Level Geography Workshop – a funding report
Jennifer O’Brien
School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester
Fieldwork is good – but why?
Richard J Payne
Environment, University of York.
Abstract
Field-based teaching and learning is perhaps the most characteristic aspect of pedagogy in Geography and Environmental Science higher education. While it is clear that both staff and students place a high value on fieldwork it is not clear whether students and staff share the same views or prioritise the same factors in making this judgement. Here we surveyed staff and students at years 1-3 to demonstrate important differences in value judgements. Staff members ranked the importance of fieldwork in student recruitment much more highly than students themselves which may give cause to question the focus of many universities on ever-more exotic field destinations. Staff members were much more positive than students about the value of fieldwork in learning transferable skills and preparing students for final year research projects. Both staff and students were very positive about the value of fieldwork as a ‘bonding’ experience, particularly at first year level, supporting the common inclusion of fieldtrips in the early stages of degrees. Overall there was strong evidence that most students felt fieldwork was a valuable way to learn about the subject with responses highlighting many of the same key attributes as staff members.
Stories from ‘The World in One City’: Migrant Lives in Liverpool
Kathy Burrell
Department of Geography & Planning, University of Liverpool.
Abstract
This is an article about migrant biographies in Liverpool, initially inspired by the famous tagline used for the 2008 Capital of Culture bid representing Liverpool as ‘the world in one city’. Based on in-depth interviews with relatively recent migrants, the paper uses the stories they shared to explore different experiences of migrating to and living in this ‘world in one city’. By focusing on three people specifically – an EU migrant, a former international student and a refugee – the article finds interesting parallels with the ‘sojourners’ of the nineteenth century, reveals varying manifestations of mobility and homemaking, but finds that ultimately the ‘world in one city’ is not as welcoming a place for all newcomers as the city’s brand projected.