Spanish bluebells, introduced as ornamental plants in gardens, are spreading into wild woodlands. They can cross breed with native species to form a fertile hybrid which threatens the diversity of woodlands by outcompeting English bluebells.
This first ‘Bluebell Barcoding Day’ will take place in woodland at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire. Volunteers will work alongside researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to use some of the latest genomic technologies to help understand the spread of the Spanish bluebell. They will explore the basics of DNA barcoding, a molecular biology technique used by scientists across the world to identify plant and animal species. This will include taking a very small sample of a bluebell, extracting the DNA and then sending it off for DNA sequencing.
Sian Williams, Cambridgeshire Conservation Officer at the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, said: “Bluebells provide one of our finest spring wildlife spectacles. This iconic species is threatened by competition from, and interbreeding with, Spanish bluebells. We are delighted to work with the Genome Campus to explore how we can use genetics to increase our understanding of both species and pinpoint hybrid plants.”
Participants will also be shown how to use DNA databases to identify their bluebell species as well as being introduced to the EpiCollect+ app. The app, developed at Imperial College London, can be used by anyone to collect data on bluebells anywhere in the country - the Eden Project in Cornwall will also be using the app on their estate. Volunteers will collect data on the bluebells such as GPS location and characteristics such as flower colour, shape and other useful data.
The app can be downloaded and used by anyone who wants to take part; all they need is an android phone or iPhone. This offers the potential to build communities to monitor, share and crowd source data on their local bluebell diversity.
Francesca Gale, education officer at the Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement team, said: “The opportunities and uses of DNA sampling and genomics are expanding at a rapid rate. What was once the work of experts is now something that can be carried out in the field by volunteers. DNA barcoding in particular is enabling us to use citizen science and public collaboration to explore species diversity and find out more about what’s happening in the ‘bluebell battle’, contributing quality data to the broader scientific community.”
The Bluebell Barcoding Day is the first of several DNA barcoding events that will be taking place on the Wellcome Genome Campus in 2016.
Instructions on how to download the bluebell survey, collect data and receive a bluebell bookmark with ruler and colour guide can be found here.
The public can also get involved through social media using #bluebellsurvey
Image credit: Darin Smith
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Contact details:
Mark Thomson - Press Office
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Wellcome Genome Campus
Phone: 01223 492384
Email: press.office@sanger.ac.uk
Jo Dickson
Communications Manager
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire
Direct line: 01954 713551
Office: 01954 713500
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