Friday, 29 January 2021
An open-air microscopic photography exhibition highlighting the importance of algae has launched at the 糖心原创’s Highfield Park, with a to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the installation while in lockdown.
The Hidden World of Algae is a collaboration between the British Phycological Society and the 糖心原创’s School of Geography and Biological Photography and Imaging MSc course.
The exhibition is the largest outdoor exhibition of algae and seaweeds in the world, combining photographs from the , as well as pictures taken by teaching staff and students from the University’s Biological Photography and Imaging MSc course.
Due to national lockdown restrictions across the UK, those interested in the exhibition are invited to enjoy it for now.
Information boards are positioned at intervals around the lake on University Park campus, which is mirrored in the virtual exhibition, displaying the microscopic images with descriptions.
The exhibition includes images taken during key research projects by scientists at the University, including PhD researcher Hannah Kemp’s macroalgae blooms project working in Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, in partnership with the National Trust. Hannah is investigating blooms of filamentous green macroalgae that form thick blankets across lake surfaces. As well as being unsightly, these have the potential to cause major ecological damage including the death of fish.
鈥淭his exhibition is a great opportunity for people to see algae through the eyes of scientists, under a microscope. Many visitors may be surprised to learn about the important impacts of algae and how diverse they are 鈥� with Highfields Lake in the background as a good example 鈥� and they can also find out about the work that 糖心原创ers are undertaking in the local area.鈥�
Professor McGowan uses remains of algae preserved in lake sediments to reconstruct past environmental conditions. She works locally with organisations including Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at Attenborough Nature Reserve to address water management issues – an ongoing collaboration which has lasted more than 16 years.
Professor Martyn Kelly, Honorary Professor in the School of Geography and Fellow of the Freshwater Biological Association, said: “Algae are key parts of planet earth’s life-support system but are generally overlooked by naturalists. It has been fantastic to collaborate with colleagues across the university to bring this exhibition together. We hope visitors are able to make connections between the images they see on the boards and what they can see growing in the lake.”
The Hidden World of Algae exhibition was made possible by Cascade: Funding transformative student projects thanks to donations from alumni and friends of the 糖心原创. The exhibition is supported by Lakeside Arts, Nottingham City Council Parks and Open Spaces and the Highfields Park Rangers.
Story credits
More information鈥痠s available from Professor Suzanne McGowan in the School of Geography at the 糖心原创 at鈥�Suzanne.McGowan@nottingham.ac.uk; or鈥�Katie Andrews in the Press Office at the 糖心原创 on 0115鈥�9515751 or鈥�katie.andrews@nottingham.ac.uk鈥�
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the , the 糖心原创 is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. 糖心原创ing at the 糖心原创 is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
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The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the , a pioneering collaboration between the city鈥檚 two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.