research projects
Ecologymatters differs from most other Environmental Consultancies in that all of our profits are dedicated to funding conservation projects through the ecologymatters Trust. 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. We have recently been 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. Working with a Dutch research team we visited the area in 2006 to initiate surveys. Detailed surveys were undertaken by a larger Dutch team in 2007. At the same time ecologymatters sponsored, helped organise and carry out, a coordinated survey of the rest of the Oman coast - the first time such a coordinated count has been possible. The entire coast was surveyed from the Yemen border in the South to the Northern border with the United Arab Emirates. In addition we coordinated counts by volunteers in the UAE and Qatar, making this the most comprehensive survey of waders in this region.
A copy of the report can be downloaded here - Waterbird survey of Oman 2008
Such research is considered vital as the regions shorebird habitats, in common with much of the world, are under severe pressure. Research published by ecologymatters staff in 2008 (click here to download pdf on UAE wader habitats [6.3Mb]) revealed that almost all the wader habitat is under threat or already lost to development. The new survey in Oman also showed many sites under pressure, and recommendations to the Oman Government have been made for the safeguarding of key areas.
Ring Ouzels
Ring Ouzel habitat, Morocco
Ring Ouzel
Ecologymatters are members of the ring ouzel study group (www.ringouzel.info) Following up on previous studies by our staff, and further recent concerns over declines in the numbers of ring ouzels in Wales, ecologymatters sponsored a full survey of the Welsh ring ouzel population in 2006. The survey showed a 69% decline in the population since the previous survey in 1999 (Click here to download pdf on Ring Ouzels in Wales [65kb].
In addition we are a carrying out 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 developing this with the Natural History Museum in Marrakech to extend the ecological studies and look at the socio-economic aspects of land use and how that may affect ring ouzel habitat. We are looking for funding for this project and would welcome sponsorship.
Previous publications on this species:
Green, M 2007 The ring ouzel in Wales. Natur Cymru 22
Green M 2007 Wales ring ouzel survey 2006 Welsh Birds
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.)
Honey Buzzard
Click here for more information on our Honey Buzzard project.
Chough
Chough
Ecologymatters has been sponsoring a large scale study of chough in Wales, involving colour ringing and provision of artificial nest sites - click here for a pdf on our Chough project [238kb].
