The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, (IEEM) has published a report entitled ‘Closing the gap: Rebuilding ecological skills in the 21st Century’. The work, which was commissioned by IEEM, was undertaken by the Management Standards Consultancy and built upon initial IEEM research.

The report collated information from literature, surveys, interviews and workshops involving practicing ecologists and environmental managers at all stages of their careers, as well as other stakeholders, employers and graduates.

Investigation found a continuing skills gap and skills shortages in:
• Species identification, especially of invertebrates, fish and lower plants.
• Ecological survey, sampling, data assessment, evaluation and monitoring skills for fish and invertebrates.
• Habitat creation, restoration and management in marine, coastal and upland environments.
• Techniques to control the spread of invasive species and wildlife diseases.

In addition:
• There are knowledge gaps amongst ecologists regarding the application of environmental economics for the valuation of ecosystem services.
• Freshwater, coastal and marine systems and processes are poorly understood in comparison to terrestrial systems.
• Understanding of the application of spatial planning, as it relates to environmental planning, is weak.
• Understanding of environmental legislation and its policy implications is weak in some sectors.

Knowledge gaps found by the report have raised concerns that a lack of capacity among ecologists and consultants could have significant implications for the implementation of environmental policies and for meeting EU biodiversity targets. This comes at a time when knowledge is needed now more than ever as the ecosystem approach reaches the forefront of government thinking.

IEEM is now calling for Government to commit to policy and funding support for a new strategy to address the issue. IEEM suggest the new strategy should be government led, and involve education institutions, skills agencies, cross-sector employers, and societies to help encourage and train people to bridge the gaps in knowledge.

2-4 November 2010
Dublin, Ireland

The conference aims to:

- investigate how biodiversity policies and legislation including the Common Agricultural Policy, Fisheries Policy and the Marine and Coastal Access Bill) are affecting and driving biodiversity conservation;
– showcase biodiversity tools and methods available to ecologists; and
- review case studies of some of the more practical methods used in biodiversity projects.

Keynote speakers include:

Mairead McGuinness, MEP
John Cross, NPWS
Damon Stanwell-Smith, UNEP WCMC
John Finn, TEAGASC
Patricia Almeida-Villella MIEEM, Marine Management Organisation
Neil Wellum, Marine Management Organisation
Liam Lysaght, Director, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Matthew Jebb, Director of Dublin Botanical Gardens
Heather Thompson, Chief Executive, Ulster Wildlife Trust
Paul Wilkinson, Head of ‘A Living Landscape’, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts

To view the full programme and to book you place, please visit the IEEM conference webpage.