Taxonomic Collections
Collecting, identifying and presenting your flora and fauna
A word from the author.
Hi, I'm Rhiannon, and this is my (new and improved) website to support you with your 'Taxonomic Collection'. It's still a work in progress, so if there's anything you don't understand or need support with, please contact me and I'll try to help. Many people have said this becomes their favourite assignment! It's a bit different from most things you're asked to do. So I hope you'll find a group that appeals to you. It could become a lifelong interest. I'm also gathering resources here for identifying other groups of wild plants and animals, and information to help with other environment-related projects. Plus, periodically I will be downloading direct from my brain into the blog. There's something to look forward to?! I'm very happy to help you directly - in normal times I'd say, drop by the office for a chat. But while that's not possible with Covid at the moment, send me an email. My main advice is to begin thinking now, and to start soon. |
Some encouragement.
Last year I spent a considerable amount of time swotting up about little soil creatures and making a guide: I learnt about things I had no idea existed (Protura, Symphyla) and realised I knew close to nothing about the groups I could recognise (Millipedes, Centipedes). And when it came to the practical class, I ruefully realised there were many many more things I didn't know about in the pots I dished out (Barkflies, Thrips... who knows). Things to make me look ignorant if someone asked me what they were! But it's not possible to become an expert overnight. Much as I'd like to be, for students' sake as well as my own. |
I also find it quite good for existential angst, as you realise all those plants and creatures are out there doing their thing regardless. That's quite reassuring when you get depressed by the absurdity of your own species (from international politics, to celebrity 'culture', to daft things happening in your own social sphere) and the difficulties of the current situation. It gives you a bit of perspective. I hope you'll find the process of looking for them and observing them absorbing, and that it can have a beneficial effect on your state of mind.
|
So my point is, don't be daunted by feeling you don't know anything at the start of this assignment. Ok, maybe some other people know a little. You might fear they know a lot. But it's not a 'zero sum game' - their knowledge isn't going to make yours less, and I can tell you from experience that people are very generous in sharing their skills. I have learnt so much from helping students / students helping me over the years, and found huge interest in groups that I initially overlooked. Pick something you think you'll find interesting, and dive in. Rome wasn't built in a day. Remember that all those admirable experts started with a single beetle, or wild flower, or barkfly, once upon a time. Begin now.
|