This month in our Ocean Reporter Series, we hear from Sophie, a second-year Marine and Freshwater Biology student studying in Glasgow, who just spent a week in the Scottish Wilderness for a hands-on field trip. From wading through rivers to late-night lab sessions, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what the experience was really like!
Packing for the Wild
The first challenge came before even leaving home: packing. A six-day trip to a loch in Scotland in autumn calls for one thing: preparation for any weather. With Scotland’s famously unpredictable skies (and an uninvited guest, Storm Amy), warm and waterproof clothing was essential. Sophie’s fieldwork kit included:
- Wellies
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Plenty of layers
- Waders (kindly provided by the university)
Welcome to SCENE
The field trip took place at SCENE: the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment. Established in 1946, SCENE is the University of Glasgow’s leading research and teaching facility for environmental science. Nestled within the stunning Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, it offers students the chance to study ecosystems right on their doorstep.
SCENE’s mission is to understand how the natural world functions and how human activity impacts it. Its unique setting allows students and researchers to tackle important scientific questions about biodiversity, environmental change, and sustainable use of natural resources.
Into the Field
Once unpacked and briefed, the real work began. The week was packed with field activities, lab sessions, and lectures, a perfect mix of theory and practice.
Fish Population Estimates using Electrofishing
One of the highlights was helping to estimate fish populations using electrofishing, a safe technique that temporarily immobilises fish so they can be caught, measured, and released. Under the supervision of a PhD student equipped with the electrofishing gear, Sophie and her classmates followed behind with nets, carefully collecting the fish. The samples were then anaesthetised in buckets, measured, and recorded for analysis.
Macroinvertebrate Sampling at Ross Burn
Next came the macroinvertebrate sampling, which involved two different techniques: kick sampling and surber sampling. For three minutes at each location, students disturbed the riverbed while holding a net downstream to catch the tiny creatures that make their homes there. Back at SCENE, these samples were examined under microscopes to identify and count the various macroinvertebrates, from mayfly larvae to freshwater shrimps. The data collected helped assess the health and biodiversity of the river ecosystem.
Lake Physiochemistry and Plankton Sampling
Out on Dubh Lochan, students took a short boat ride to measure both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. They used tools like Secchi Discs to gauge water clarity, and measured temperature, oxygen, and light absorbency at different depths. They also collected plankton samples to study the microscopic organisms that form the base of aquatic food webs. These measurements help scientists understand how environmental conditions affect everything from plankton growth to fish habitats.
Mapping Lake Habitats with ROVs
A particularly exciting session involved using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to map underwater habitats. The ROV was driven along a 25-metre transect, stopping every five metres to take a photograph. Later, the students used software called ImageJ to analyse these photos and estimate the percentage of different types of benthic (bottom) cover.
Learning Beyond the Field
When not knee-deep in rivers or lakes, students attended a series of fascinating lectures and seminars, including:
- Freshwater macroinvertebrates as indicators of diversity and water quality
- Estimating fish population size and community structure
- Ecology of flowing and still waters
- Clyde River Foundation seminar
These sessions helped tie together what was learned in the field with the broader ecological and conservation context.
Wrapping Up
By the end of the week, everyone had a chance to present their findings as part of a group project, a test not only of scientific skills but also of teamwork and presenting under pressure. Despite the challenging weather, long days, and muddy boots, Sophie describes the experience as one of the most rewarding parts of her degree so far. From learning professional research techniques to bonding with coursemates, the Loch Lomond field trip provided a real taste of life as a marine biologist: unpredictable, hands-on, and endlessly fascinating.
