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BU on ‘The One Show’ |
TV feature to highlight work of the University in gauging the ecological
impact of Sika deer in the Purbeck region of Dorset.
Research led by staff and students from BU’s School of Conservation Sciences
on the ecology of Sika deer is scheduled to be highlighted on BBC TV’s ‘The
One Show’ later this month.
The feature, to be screened on Tuesday, 20 April, will focus on the work of Dr
Anita Diaz and her colleagues from the University’s Centre for Conservation
Ecology and Environmental Change. The Centre is investigating how Sika deer influence
a range of habitats in Purbeck, Dorset. A number of deer have been electronically
tagged and monitored in recent years providing the Centre with an opportunity
to examine their feeding ranges and measure their ecological impacts.
The project has involved extensive liaison between the University and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust, the Purbeck Association
of the National Trust the Ministry of Defence, English Nature and Biotrack to
electronically tag and monitor the deer and to investigate the ways they influence
a range of habitats.
Sika were first introduced to deer parks in Dorset from their native Japan and
East Asia just over a hundred years ago. A few individuals escaped and the Isle
of Purbeck, to the west of Bournemouth, now has the largest group of feral Sika
deer in England.
The Purbecks contain a rich mosaic of internationally-important wildlife habitats
and it is crucial to determine the impact of Sika on plants and invertebrates
that are important food sources for waterfowl.
The One Show is televised on BBC One at 7.00pm. The programme can also be viewed online via the BBC iplayer (UK only).
19/04/10