The British Herpetological Society

and

THE HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION TRUST

Joint Scientific Meeting: "Targeting research where it's needed"

Saturday 4 December 2004

The Open University, Milton Keynes

This one-day seminar will present current biological and ecological research on herpetofauna that addresses conservation problems and knowledge gaps. In doing so, it aims to encourage greater communication between academic researchers, conservationists, NGOs, statutory agencies, land managers and decision-makers in determining where research is needed most.

Provisional programme:

0930-1000            Registration, coffee

1000-1005            Welcome address

Session 1:

1005-1030            Trevor Beebee û ôInbreeding effects in natterjack toad populations"

1030-1055             David Sewell & Richard Griffiths û ôPopulation dynamics of great crested newts at

metapopulation and landscape levels: an eight year studyö

1055-1120             Tim Halliday û "Does the amphibian decline phenomenon have any relevance to

the UK?"

1120-1145            Coffee

Session 2:

1150-1215 Jim Foster û ôResearching the return of the pool frogö

1215-1240 Daniel Pickford û ôToads in a hole? Ecotoxicological research on UK amphibiansö

1240-1340 Lunch (provided)

Session 3:

1345-1435 Brendan Godley û "Marine turtle conservation in the UK Overseas Territories"

1435-1500 Jonathan Houghton û "Leatherback turtles in the Irish Sea: addressing the knowledge

gaps"

1500-1520 Coffee

Session 4:

1525-1550 Sven-Ake Berglind û ôPopulation viability analysis on relict sand lizard populationsö (tbc)

1550-1615 Tony Sainsbury û ôDisease risk assessment for reptile translocationsö (tbc)

1615-1640            Ina Blanke û ôEvaluating sand lizard conservation status & managementö (tbc)

1640-1710            Discussion: ôIs research addressing current needs?ö

1710-1715            Close

Registration: ú20 including lunch (ú10 to students/OAPs, ú5 to BHS & ARG members). Send cheques payable to ôThe Herpetological Conservation Trustö, 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4AP, UK. Contact Chris Gleed-Owen for further information ( mailto:chris.go@herpconstrust.org.uk - chris.go@herpconstrust.org.uk ). Free shuttle minibus from Milton Keynes train station. Twin/double rooms available for ú43.95 at the Campanile Hotel, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes (01908 649819). Evening social on Friday night.