We are delighted to announce a major research project into the autecology of Sphagna species, particularly to evaluate their potential use as indicators of habitat management impacts. This extensive study is part of the North Pennines Peatscapes Project, and we secured funding in competition with several university research teams.
Mosses in meadows PTYXIS is surveying bryophytes in hay meadows at the 110 year old Palace Leas experiment, Northumberland.
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PTYXIS is conducting scientific botanical monitoring projects for various clients. One project, for the University of Newcastle, assesses the effect of liming on upland hay meadows; another is monitoring the effects on donor sites of seed harvesting for habitat restoration schemes.
John and Clare O’Reilly have over 35 years of combined botanical experience. And we are still learning!
We believe that accurate plant identification, coupled with a deep understanding of plant ecology and vegetation science, is fundamental to the validity of all ecological consultancy work from Phase 1 survey to specialist habitat re-creation.
John and Clare are both professionally qualified ecologists who have studied vegetation from Orkney to the Isles of Scilly and many places in between.
We have a strong track record of working with conservation ngos, local authorities and the voluntary natural history sector. John and Clare are active members of the British Bryological Society (BBS), British Lichen Society (BLS) and the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI).
We work with carefully chosen associates when a survey team is required to deliver a project.
Clare O'Reilly BA LLB MSc MIEEM FLS is a nationally recognised, professionally trained botanist, a BSBI national referee and co-author of the new edition of a leading British flora, the Wild Flower Key. She conducts all types of vegetation survey and assessment, including National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey. One of her specialisms is aquatic macrophytes and the ecology of ponds/ephemeral water bodies, having completed her thesis on the genetics and ecology of the stonewort genus Chara.
She has particular experience of calcicolous and mesotrophic grassland and sand dune habitats and designing habitat restoration/re-creation schemes.
Previously an environmental lawyer with the leading City practice Allen & Overy, she brings a high level of commercial awareness, negotiation skills and pragmatism to her ecological work.
John O'Reilly BA(Ed) MSc MIEEM CEnv is a bryologist, botanist and ornithologist with particular experience of woodland, urban and upland habitats. He conducted major Phase 1 habitat surveys on 6-month contracts in 1999 and 2005 and has extensive experience of National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey and producing conservation management plans. John is BBS county recorder for South Northumberland (v.c. 67), a steering group member of the BBS Bryophyte Ecology Group (BRECOG) and has contributed to the new BBS field guide.
He has worked as an agricultural advisor for RDS in Newcastle and subsequently was a lead ecologist on the design of the new Higher Level Environmental Stewardship scheme, editing the Farm Environment Plan (FEP) handbook and designing the FEP condition assessment methodology, which has become a leading survey methodology for BAP habitat condition assessment.
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