Hampshire has...

• 78% of the coast nationally or internationally designated

• 41 Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs)

• 125 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

• 3740 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)

Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre manages all the biological records for the county.

The research exchange programme links students with partner organisations that are researching topics relevant to the objectives of the Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership.

What project topics are available?

The Hampshire BAP contains many research actions designed to inform and guide conservation work in the county. Some of these research actions have been formed into project proposals that directly compliment areas of work of the HBAP partner organisations towards HBAP targets and Biodiversity Opportunity Area work.

Proposed projects are aligned with the following UKBAP themes*:

• Climate Change Adaptation

• The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Function

• Genetic Conservation

• The Impact of Non-Native Species

• Socio-Economic Issues

• Habitat and Ecosystem Management

• Monitoring of Biodiversity and Evaluation of Actions

*UKBAP Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (BRAG)

When and how should I apply for a project?

Applications for projects should be received by the end of April of the chosen academic year. Applications should only be made through the application form. Please check with your academic body before applying for a project.

How can my research body or organisation get involved?

The Hampshire Biodiversity Research Forum would like to invite academic institutions, research bodies and nature conservation groups to promote these research topics to colleagues and students, and to propose projects for possible inclusion. Please see the list of UKBAP research themes for information on the areas we are targeting. See below for a list of academic institutions currently participating in Hampshire BAP related projects:

• University of Southampton

• University of Portsmouth

• Bournemouth University

• University of Plymouth

• Imperial College London

• Sparsholt College

How are projects selected?

The selection of research projects is coordinated by the Hampshire Biodiversity Research Forum, on behalf of the Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership. The Forum is responsible for the delivery of research actions towards the Hampshire BAP and collates potential project topics from partner organisations and participating research bodies. Projects must fall within at least one of the seven research themes identified by the UK BAP Biodiversity Research Group (BRAG).

For further information contact: feedback@hwt.org.uk.