Scholarship Reports 2008

January 2nd, 2009

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Scholarship Applications for 2008

October 13th, 2008

Three awards have been made this year and now follows a brief summary of each project.
A report of each project will be posted on the site on completion of the students research work.

Louise Riley will be travelling to The Jurua River, Amazonia, Brazil to do a comparision and inventory of flooded and unflooded forests.
Her aim is to collect data from 70 small plots for each forrest type and record differences in forest structure, species and canopy cover to quantify the effects of seasonal flooding.
This project will form part of a 3 year study by a number of Ecogists who’s aim is to devise a management strategy to conserve the biodiversity of the forests.

David Kemp is to do a study of domestic energy in Ghana, mainly focusing on fuelwood supplies to the rural poor.
Th main objectives are to investigate the sustainability of using fuelwood and availability of any alternative sources of energy. He is also assessing wether householders have the desire or ability to change to a more sustainable energy source.

Emma Wright was travelling to the Scottish Highlands to study the attitudes of farmers,
Lairds, Mountain Guides, agencies such as the RSPB and National Trust towards the re-introduction of wolves.
This is a subject that has been increasingly in the media both locally and nationally and is an exciting and relevant issue to explore.

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2007 Scholarship Award Reports

September 1st, 2008

The following is a summary of the research undertaken by the four successful scholarship students. The research formed the basis of their final dissertations. Three have successfully completed their degrees, one achieving first class honours. The remaining student did her research as part of a year out and will complete her degree this academic year.
Congratulations to all the students on their research.
bojang07.pdf

jones07.pdf

rickett07.pdf

simonds07.pdf

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Tree Planting

October 29th, 2007

As many of you may know, it was Katie’s wish to have a tree planted in her ashes as she wanted to become part of the carbon cycle - in her words she wanted to be,” A tree which would grow strong and tall. ”
After her death we looked around for a tree planting site we thought Katie would approve of and found a lovely planting site adjacent to the river near Bolton Abbey.
There were legal problems with the land ownership so we missed the last planting season.
However these are now sorted out and we have been given a date of 19th November 2007 for the tree planting (exactly 2 yrs to the day since she was diagnosed)
We have chosen a Field Maple for Katie, there will be no plaque on the tree but Katie’s details will be entered into a Remembrance Book which is kept in the Post Office at Bolton Abbey.
If you wish to see the tree once it is planted we can give you details or take you for a short walk from The Strid car park or Cavendish for longer walk and coffee.
To see the tree for yourself park at the Strid Wood car park and walk down to the River Wharfe.
Turn left and walk upstream to the Aquaduct. Take the steps to your left and cross over the Aquaduct. Now turn right and Katie’s tree is second on the left.
If you wish to park for free instead of paying at the Strid car park park by Barden Bridge and walk downstream to the Aquaduct.

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Scholarship awards for 2007

July 24th, 2007

Scholarships for this year have been awarded to 4 Env students at UEA. They are as follows;

Tijani Bojang is to undertake a study of long term rainfall patterns in Gambia.
The main aims of the project are to
1. Quantify the rainfall data to be used as a tool in choosing better crop cycles and irrigation system of the Gambia.
2. Determine the onset and cessation of the rainy season so that farmers can be appropriately advised to enhance better crop yields.
3. To study the variability of the rainfall in relation to the disappearing ecological diversity in the Gambia.
4. To look at the link betweenthe rainfall quantity and distribution with the Gambia River flow catchments, fisheries and agriculture productions.

Lindsey Jones is to assess the feasability of constructing a small dam across the Ndembera River in Tanzania.
The main aims of the project are to
1. Assess the potential benefits of the dam’s construction.
2. Gather opinions from the local stakeholders mainly the Ruahu National Park, WWF and TANESCO the local electricity supplier.
3. Assess the implications for fisheries and grazing as well as other livelihood activities on the area.
4. Establish contact with potential owners of the dam.
5. Explore the available funding for the project.

Hannah Kate Rickett is to explore how different religious belief systems influence recovering female substance users’ responses to their addiction. this study is to be undertaken in Delhi.
The main aims of the project are to
1. Extend our understanding of how different religious belief systems interact with responses to drug addiction in a non western context.
2. To consider whether claims that health practitioners should collect spiritual histories as a matter of course are substantiated in a non western drug rehabilitation context.
2. To consider how differences in religious interpretations of addiction could translate into improved rehabilitation services.

Vicky Simmonds is to carry out an investigation into the diffuse carbon dioxide anomaly on the island of Montserrat.
The main aims of the project are to establish the size and extent of the carbon dioxide releasing area and to record the flux of carbon dioxide accross the area. Then to compare results with the volcano observatory to find out whether any volcanic activity coincides with increased levels on carbon dioxide.To conclude whether carbon dioxide is a precurser or side effect of volcanic eruptions.

These studies are to take place between July and October of this year. We wish them all good luck and look forward to seeing the conclusions of their projects.