Environmental Sciences undergraduates research ecosystems and ‘lost’ strains of crops in new summer studentships
Two Environmental Sciences students have been awarded four week studentships to undertake important research projects this summer in the Centre for Environmental Sciences.
The University's Sustainability Science at Southampton interdisciplinary research group has provided the bursaries to third year Master of Environmental Sciences student Sam Holmes and BSc Environmental Sciences student Natalie A'Bear, who is in her second year.
Sam will work with Dr Kate Schreckenberg to compile information about past research undertaken with partners in the Solent area such as Southampton City Council and the New Forest National Park Authority. His focus will be on ecosystem services such as flood and climate regulation, air quality, urban green spaces and wildlife with the aim of informing a strategy for future research. Students have already contributed to a growing body of published work in this area which local partners can use as evidence for policy decisions.
Natalie will work with Dr Malcolm Hudson and Dr Nazmul Haq on examining the historical datasets of the Perkins Agricultural Library. This University of Southampton collection of 2,000 books and 40 periodicals supports research on the general practice and improvement of agriculture, with documents going back as far as the late 1600s. Natalie will be seeking out ‘lost' strains of crops grown in past centuries, which may offer opportunities for improving food production systems in the current period of climate change
"This is a great opportunity for our students to get valuable experience on project work that could have genuine wider benefits for society," says Malcolm.