Ethical Aspects of Fieldwork « Richmondschoolbiology’s Weblog

The catch 22 predicament of studying natural habitats is that simply by entering the habitat you will be affecting it. Humans, being big, loud and smelly (or perfumed, if you prefer) will inevitably alter the behaviour of the wildlife and may leave the habitat in a different state than it was found in. This is, to some degree unavoidable, but the impact can be minimised by considering your potential habitat and ways in which you may affect it.

On the field course we will be sampling grassland invertebrates, rocky shore organisms, sand dunes vegetation and potentially mammals (if we can trap any!). To do so ethically requires planning. The following organisations have codes of conduct for fieldwork. Take time to read them.

The Marine Conservation Society seashore code

The Wild Flower Society code of conduct

The Amateur Entomologists’ Society code of conduct for collecting insects and other invertebrates.

Discovering the beauty of natural habitats is one of the best things about being an ecologist. We need to do our best to leave our study sites, and the animals living in them, in the best, most natural, state possible.

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