Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU)
We currently have a successful internship project involving collecting soil samples to carry out eDNA sequencing, looking specifically at soil fungi and bacteria.
Conservation collaborations
This is the first bison release in the UK. However, in Europe, bison are used in several different countries to manage and enhance habitats. A project of this size and significance requires a lot of effort and input from many organisations and institutions and we are pleased to have the following collaborators.
Natural History Museum (NHM)
The NHM are conducting comprehensive research to reveal insights into the effects of bison on soil health and carbon sequestration.
University of Huddersfield
We are collaborating with the University of Huddersfield to investigate aquatic diversity from the ponds across Wilder Blean. They are examining invertebrate communities, water quality and other environmental conditions.
Royal Holloway University
Royal Holloway University are looking at dung analysis as well as ground/dung beetles assemblages and pollen using pitfall traps.
University of Kent
We have partnered with the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology on E3 Sharing Space for Nature, a five-year research initiative funded by Research England, focused on enhancing the role of conservation areas in tackling current environmental crises.
Queen Mary University of London
We are working with remote sensing experts, using LiDAR to quantify the effect of European Bison and Iron Age pigs on vegetation and terrain structure and carbon sequestration rates.