On Monday 15th June, our A-level Environmental Science students swapped the classroom for the Blackpool coastline, conducting vital practical fieldwork on the local sand dunes.
The group spent the day investigating the ecology, using quadrats to analyse how plant and insect diversity shifts as you move from the beach line up into the sand dunes. To get a closer look at the local biodiversity, students utilised sweep nets to study the insect populations adapting to the dune environment.
The hands-on research concluded with a rock pool analysis, where the group successfully located several periwinkle snails and a common European green crab.
The data collected from this trip will be invaluable for the students’ studies. Well done to everyone involved for their excellent conduct and hard work throughout the day.