example projects
ecologymatters differs from most other Environmental Consultancies in that all of our profits are dedicated to funding conservation projects. By working with ecologymatters you are not only employing experts but are furthering conservation. If you would like to help sponsor any of our current projects please contact us.
Middle Eastern Waders
ecologymatters provide the secretariat for the West Asian Shorebird Survey an independent survey group established in 1985. Working with partners in Durham University, Dubai and Oman the group has identified important areas for shorebird migration around Eastern Arabia and instigated studies of this important but neglected flyway. Studies are underway to identify the populations that use coastal areas in Arabia and to ensure protection of important sites. Currently we are working with the Oman Government at Barr al Hikman a coastal site in central Oman that contains a large proportion of the regions wintering shorebirds. Work underway includes a full resurvey of the site to establish the most important feeding and roosting areas and to advise on boundaries and management as the site becomes a protected area. Future work will include survey to establish the importance of the area as a migration stopover, and investigate the origins of birds using the site.
Marine surveys
Marine Surveying
by Mark Carter
ecologymatters staff have carried out marine surveys for cetaceans and seabirds extensively in Cardigan Bay as well as in Scottish waters. Working with organisations such as Countryside Council for Wales, Seawatch Foundation and Friends of Cardigan Bay surveys have included dedicated transects, observations using platforms of opportunity and land-based cetacean monitoring. Photo id has been carried out on the bottlenose dolphin population and a study has been carried out of Risso dolphins around Bardsey Island in North Wales. Director Mick Green is Chair of the Wales Cetacean Group, helping to co-ordinate cetacean research in Welsh waters. Staff are trained in a variety of cetacean monitoring techniques, as well as Seabirds at Sea methodology.
Ring Ouzels
Ring Ouzel habitat, Morocco
Ring Ouzel
Following up on previous studies by our staff, and further recent concerns over declines in the numbers of ring ouzels in Wales, ecologymatters are planning a full survey of the Welsh ring ouzel population in 2006. If you would like to help with surveying certain tetrads in Wales for ring ouzel in 2006 please contact us.
In addition we are developing, with the Natural History Museum in Marrakech, a research project looking at the ecology and distribution of ring ouzels in their wintering quarters in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. We are currently looking for funding for this project and would welcome sponsorship.
Previous publications on this species:
Tyler S & Green, M. 1994. Status of the Ring Ouzel in Wales. Welsh Bird Report. 7.
Ryall C & Green M. 1994 Le merle à plastron (Turdus torquatus): espèce Européene hivernante peu connue au Maroc. [The ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus): a poorly known European species wintering in Morocco.] Porphyrio 6: 3-6. (In French.)
