Services
As the projects listed demonstrate, our experienced staff offers a broad range of expertise in the areas of Ecology, Botany, Environmental Science and Conservation Biology. The company has access to a wide range of resources in terms of data sources, data analysis techniques and information technology. We place an emphasis on high quality research and use the best practices available.
Safety and good professional conduct while carrying out our duties are of paramount importance to the company. In addition to a comprehensive safety policy and adherence to the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management's Code of Professional Conduct, we have Professional Indemnity, Employers Liability and Public Liability insurance.
BEC Consultants provide high quality services in the following areas:
 | Ecological Studies | |||
 | Conservation Biology | |||
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Conservation Management Conservation Management is an important tool for maintaining species or habitats in a particular state. Together with the National Botanic Gardens, BEC Consultants has worked towards implementing a Conservation Management procedure to maintain populations of Irish Fleabane (Inula salicina) at Lough Derg | ||||
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Translocations The removal of rare plants from a threatened habitat to a more stable area is a complex process. Through its involvement in projects such as Mitigation Measures for the Nationally Threatened Schoenoplectus triqueter, BEC Consultants has built up a thorough knowledge of the genetic, physiological and ecological issues surrounding translocations. The NPWS has commissioned BEC Consultants to produce guidelines for rare plant translocations. In addition BEC staff have lectured M.Sc. students at Trinity College Dublin on the topic of rare plant translocation. | ||||
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Population Genetics An approach to conservation which makes use of population genetics can aid the long term survival of rare plant populations. BEC Consultants has a high degree of qualification and experience in the use of population genetics to aid species conservation. In the project The Conservation of the Rare Plant Species Meadow Barley in the Waterford Region, genetic analysis was used to assist in the choice of receptor site for conserving different sub-populations of Meadow Barley. Genetic analysis was also used in Mitigation Measures for the Nationally Threatened Triangular Club-rush (Schoenoplectus triqueter) to assist with a strategy for the temporary ex situ storage of individuals from different locations along the River Shannon and its tributaries. | ||||
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Rare Plant Surveys The rare plants knowledge among senior BEC Consultants staff and the company's excellent botanical survey skills make it an ideal candidate to carry out rare plant surveys. The abilities of the BEC team to identify possible rare plant sites, carry out detailed vegetation surveys and identify rare plants in the field were utilised in the Rare, Threatened and Scarce Vascular Plant Survey of Counties Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath. The Company also has experience of collecting seeds from rare plant populations, the seeds are collected under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and strict collection guidelines are utilised. Seeds collections are stored within the Irish Threatened Plant Genebank in Trinity College Botanic Gardens. Before the seed are stored at low moisture content and low temperature germination tests are carried out to determine the viability of the collected seeds. | ||||
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Management Plans BEC Consultants are experienced in the development of clear, understandable management plans which promote the integration of planning, development and environmental concerns. The company have produced the Pitcairn Islands Environmental Management Plan for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. BEC Consultants has also worked on management plans within Ireland such as the Balrath Woods Management Plan. | ||||
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| Project Management | |||