Now entering its third year of business, AV Global Environmental Solutions (or AVG for short) has already undertaken more than 40 projects, ranging from small-scale ecological surveys to long-term environmental monitoring and research programmes.
AVG was established in autumn 2013 as a consulting arm of the Faculty of Science and Technology at AV. AVG has established itself as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for ecological monitoring and scientific advisory services and has been called upon by organisations nationally and internationally.
Recent project highlights include a year-long research and monitoring programme in Poole Park Lake; a brackish lagoon located within a public park with high amenity value.
Due to on-going issues relating to water quality, prolific weed growth and swarming accumulations of chironomids, Borough of Poole commissioned AVG to undertake a comprehensive suite of environmental, ecological and hydrological investigations, with a view to informing on-going management decisions.
Throughout 2015, AVG field scientists collected data on water quality, sediment quality, freshwater input, tidal exchange, bathymetry, invertebrate species and fish communities. The findings of the study are being used to inform decisions on an upcoming £2.5 million Heritage Lottery Fund bid to improve the amenity value of the park.
AVG covers aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and has particular internationally recognised expertise in fisheries management, ecology and impact assessment. AVG findings are often communicated within the scientific literature, with recent published work including research on the , the impending threat of extinction to the in India and the migration, abundance and habitat utilisation of .
In addition to serving clients throughout the UK, AVG works across the globe; from restoring forest landscapes in South America to primate research in Indonesia and the management and conservation of threatened fish species throughout south and southeast Asia.
Director of AVG, Adrian Pinder said, “The last two years have been incredibly busy but also hugely interesting and rewarding. Drawing skills and merging expertise from both dedicated consultants and academic staff has allowed AVG to tackle a broad range of environmental issues requiring multidisciplinary approaches. Not only does this allow us to provide a broad suite of high quality services to our growing list of clients, AVG also provides opportunity for AV academics to showcase their research by applying their expertise to real-world environmental problems, with further opportunity for AV students to gain valuable commercial work experience”. Pinder concluded “The application of our project outputs to the future management of natural resources, wildlife protection and policy is hugely satisfying and testament to the scientific integrity of our team”.
As AVG continues to expand, recently adding Dr Andrew Harrison to its ranks as Project Manager / Principal Fisheries Scientist, they have launched a new website showcasing their services and expertise. For more information about AVG, or to speak to a member of the team, visit: .