Dan Blumgart Email & Phone Number

Harpenden, England, United Kingdom

I'm using long-term moth data to link moth population decline to species traits, habitat and climate, with a fieldwork component focusing on the conservation of moths in arable farmland.

Nosy Komba, Madagascar

The Madagascar Conservation and Research Institute is based on the small island of Nosy Komba off of the the north-west coast of Madagascar. It is a volunteer-based organisation that conducts ecological research and environmental education with the help of a help of a high turnover of international volunteers. My role was to coordinate the forest-based ecological research and conservation work that took place within this new and developing NGO. I was in charge of organising a constantly changing team of volunteers consisting of anywhere from 3 to 18 people. I led daily data-collecting expeditions in the mountainous tropical forest of the island, ensuring safety and competency. My main duties were:Designing and coordinating data collection for the long term monitoring of populations of reptiles, amphibians, birds and lemurs on the island. Training volunteers in data collection techniques and in species identification. Writing up ecological reports with a view to producing publishable findings.Managing several local and international employees.Coordinating volunteers and ensuring their engagement and safety within the projects. Writing up weekly project reports of progress, challenges and achievements within the project. Carrying out a variety of house-keeping tasks such as volunteer training, health and safety presentations, airport pickups, accounting and restocking.During my time here, I also organised and oversaw the visitation of Dr Andrew Polaszek, a world expert in parasitoid wasps. With the help of three entomology students from Antananarivo, we carried out a week of intensive insect collecting. As the area is a very biodiverse and understudied area, we hope to discover many new species of insect. We hope our research will highlight the conservation value of this amazing island. In terms of data collection, I designed and set in place a long term monitoring program that I hope will continue far into the future.

Environment And Sustainability Institute, Penryn

I worked as part of a research team looking into the ecological effects of light pollution. My role was to identify invertebrates that had been sampled from experimental field sites. Using a dissecting microscope and a series of dichotomous keys, I identified large quantities of invertebrates with accuracy and consistency. All beetles and spiders were resolved to species level and smaller groups to family level. I was responsible for preserving all specimens in ethanol, labelling them and producing accurate data sheets for analysis.In the laboratory setting, I collaborated with other taxonomists to ensure that our findings were consistent with one another. I attended meetings with other members of the research group to discuss progress, share ideas and to negotiate a balance between speed of data collection and taxonomic resolution and quality. As my expertise in invertebrate taxonomy increased, I was made responsible for training newer employees in the lab and ensuring that they are making accurate identifications.

University Of Exeter, Cornwall Campus

A highly practical degree with a focus on applying ecological research to conservation situations. The final research project was split into two parts: an extended phase one habitat survey of a woodland and an ecological research project of our own design. For the experimental design and data collection, I was in a team of three other students. My extended phase one habitat survey took place over 3 months in Devichoy's Wood, Cornwall. This is an ancient woodkand site and was used as a coppice in previous centuries. I carried out the following surveys:Small mammal trappingBat surveys using a bat detectorMoth trappingPitfall traps (invertebrates)Sweep netting (invertebrates)Bush beating samples (invertebrates)Pond dipping (invertebrates)Butterfliy transectsPlant surveysPhenological reportTree transectsBird censusNest box monitoring (blue tit and great tit nests)Camera traps (for large mammals)Fish surveyAmphibian surveyI produced a full written report of our findings and produced a section on management recommendations, detailing protected species that were present as well as invasive species that need to be managed. For my research project, I looked into the effects of isolation from woodland and hedgerow management on moth abundance and diversity in an agricultural landscape in Cornwall. Specifially, my group and I were looking into the benefits of having hedgerow trees in hedgerows and whether these were effective at boosting moth populations in locations isolated from woodland habitats. We found that trees did indeed boost moth abundace and diversity, but this was unaffected by whether they were near to woodland or far from woodland. The Masters degree included a 2-week field trip to Kenya. From this trip I gained a wealth of experience in survey and census techniques in large national parks as well as becoming accustomed to conservation mechanisms in a developing country.

University Of Exeter, Cornwall Campus

A reputable degree within the field with a strong focus on practical fieldwork, solid scientific thinking and statistical skills. My final research project was in behavioural entomology, where I looked into resource allocation and reproductive conflict in a primitively eusocial species of wasp (Polistes dominula).

Natural History Museum, London

Working with Dr Andrew Polaszek, the head of entomology at the Natural History Museum, my role was similar to my current position. I was responsible for identifying and sorting samples of Hymenoptera that Dr Polaszek had brought back from Borneo for a study on parasitoid wasps. My work there resulted in the discovery of a new species of parasitic wasp.

Tregothnan, Cornwall

A dynamic and high pressure job at an up-market restaurant on the banks of the river Fal. I was responsible for dealing with the public in a professional manner whilst juggling several tasks at once.

Worked in the operating theatres during lives operations. A wide variety of jobs including; fetching patients from the wards, labelling and delivering specimens, moving anesthetised patients, fetching equipment during operations and setting up the operating table and machines. A relatively high responsibility job as it involves thinking quickly and learning new skills rapidly with potentially serious consequences for mistakes.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Ecology

The PhD was split into two main sections: 1. Modelling how moth abundance and diversity has changed in the UK since 1968 according.

Msc Applied Ecology, Entomology And Ecology

Activities and Societies: EcoSoc, Expedition Society, minibus driver, Bird Watching, Commitee member and co-founder of Homegrown Society.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Conservation Biology And Ecology, 1St

Activities and Societies: EcoSoc, bird watching, Homegrown Soc, rock climbing, conservation volunteering.A wide-ranging degree focusing.

Foundation Year In Science