Course: Aquatic Plants of the Montgomery Canal

This 1-day beginner to intermediate course will introduce you to the aquatic plants of the Montgomery Canal.

Aquatic plants occur in complex and dynamic environments. Often they change their growth forms depending on the growing conditions, which at times can make identifications particularly challenging. 

This course will include:

• Identification characters of aquatic plants and how to separate similar looking genera/species.
• Distinguish the major groups of aquatic plants and recognise the key characters of those you can’t identify.
• Use of a range of keys and other identification guides.
• Practical botanical skills outdoors.

The day will start with an introduction to the basics of aquatic plant identification, followed by the identification of commoner species using a key. We will look at the different niches each species occupies including marginals, floating, and submerged species. Emphasis will be placed on those characters that allow reliable and accurate identification. Later on we will look at determining the more unusual species. Use will be made of the excellent ‘British Water Plants’ key and by the end of the day participants should feel confident in the use of this key.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand a range of different groups of aquatic plants (submerged, emergent, floaters etc.) and the key features that can help to accurately identify them to genus and species.
• Recognise and name a wide number of aquatic plants.
• Understand the tools required for making an accurate identification and when to get help from referees and other sources.

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off.

Please refer to the Field Studies Council website for further information and to book.