The London Freshwater Group is one of the five specialist groups of the Linnean Society of London.
Formed in 1973, it meets 2-3 times each year for the exchange of ideas and discussion on a range of subjects relating to freshwater science.
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Please see Calendar for information on events hosted by the LFG and other organisations
such as the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and Quekett Microscopical Club for 2010.
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Symposium on Aquatic Invaders
16th April 9:30-17:30
Queen Mary University of London
For details please see attached
Please email Michelle Jackson (m.jackson@qmul.ac.uk) to register.
The conference is free but spaces are limited.
Lunch and refreshments supplied free of charge.
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West Midland and North West England Freshwater Group Spring Meeting
20th April 10:00-16:00
Bolton University
Please contact Sarah Lynch sfl161@bham.ac.uk for further details
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NEW FROM THE FBA: GUIDE TO BRITISH FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES FOR BIOTIC ASSESSMENT
FBA Scientific Publication No. 67
Compiled by Simon Pawley, with contributions from Michael Dobson & Melanie Fletcher
Published by The Freshwater Biological Association, 2011
ISBN 978-0-900386-79-4
Price £25 plus postage (FBA members entitled to 25% discount)
A concise introduction to the identification of macroinvertebrate families included in biotic assessment in the UK. Covers flatworms, annelids, molluscs, larger crustaceans, arachnids and all orders of aquatic insects.
For further information visit: www.fba.org.uk/sp67____________________________________________________________
The Natural History Museum Press release19 September 2011
Gloves off: scientists chart Chinese mitten crab invasion
Become a nature detective and record the invasion of the alien Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in rivers of England and Wales.
Scientists from a number of UK research institutes, including London's Natural History Museum are calling for the public to become nature detectives this autumn to better understand the full extent of the Chinese mitten crab invasion and the threat these crustaceans pose to our rivers and waterways. Anglers, waterway workers, boating enthusiasts and other nature lovers to identify and record any sightings of the alien species via an online survey. The recordings will be used by scientists to clarify the full distribution of the exotic crabs in English and Welsh rivers.
Chinese mitten crabs are now one of the most notorious aquatic invasive species featuring in the international list of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. They are regarded as a pest because they cause damage to fishing gear and unprotected river banks, block water systems as well as compete with native species for food and habitat. Current records show that mitten crabs have established populations in the Thames, Medway, Ouse Washes, Humber and the Dee Estuary. Sightings from all rivers and watersheds will be useful but researchers are particularly interested in any from:
·The Thames west of Windsor to beyond Reading
·Tyne, Tees and Wear in the North East
·Dee and Merseyside
·Severn Estuary to the Isle of Wight in the South West. Nature lovers can report their finds by phone, email or online and upload their photographs by visiting www.mittencrabs.org.uk.
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LFG Site Visits (since 2009):
London Freshwater Group site visit to the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) River Laboratory at East Stoke, July 2010
In early July 2010 some members of the London Freshwater Group visited the FBA River Laboratory at East Stoke to learn about the facilities and work that is in progress there. To read more about the visit and work being carried out at the FBA River Lab please click on link...LFG site visit July 2010 London Freshwater Group site visit to Blo' Norton Fen (and adjacent sites) 2009.
We thought it about time that we fully utilised the tremendous skills among members of the London
Freshwater Group by having an annual site visit to help with recording and conservation.
For the 2009 trip we were invited to Blo' Norton Fen (and Adjacent sites), which is managed as part of the Little Ouse
Headwaters Project (LOHP). To find out more about the visit click on the link....LFG site visit September 2009
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London Freshwater Group Forum
Please visit the London Freshwater Group Forum (designed and run by Emily Dresner) for the opportunity to interact with like minded people throughout the year on all things freshwater.