Spotlight: The Firs Botanical Grounds
The Firs is located on the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield campus, south of the city centre. stands as a testament to interdisciplinary collaboration, groundbreaking research, and community engagement. This remarkable facility encompasses a diverse range of initiatives, laboratories, and gardens, all united by a common goal: to address pressing environmental challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future.
Cutting-Edge Research Facilities
At the heart of The Firs lies its collection of 14 climate-controlled research laboratories, each simulating distinct environments, from tropical paradises to arid landscapes. These laboratories enable scientists to explore a multitude of topics, from the effects of climate change on ecosystems to the intricate relationships between species.
Opposite the research labs are the botanical gardens with various controlled biomes - this space is known as the ‘Range’. Historically, the site was part of Joseph Whitworth’s gardens and the shooting range where he tested the Whitworth Rifle – which was used in the American Civil War. Today, the Range, is home to plants from nearly every continent. It is used as an educational facility by many university and community groups. The Botanical gardens are in the process of becoming a national collection. There are beautiful plants in the five environments. Some of the plants on this site have a compromised conservation status – one planted that was re-potted yesterday has a density of 500/KM in the wild.
Current Research Projects
The Firs is also home to groundbreaking research in precision plant imaging, led by Prof. Giles Johnson and Dr. Bruce Grieve and a wider team. for detailed monitoring of plant behaviour both above and below ground.
Prof Johnson, the Academic Director of Firs, is also leading a project that studies ways to increase the productivity of crops by increasing their resilience to stress.
Addressing future energy demands requires innovative biofuel solutions. Simon Turner's investigation into 'rubbery wood' disease holds promise in streamlining biofuel production. This infection disrupts cell wall formation, simplifying ethanol extraction. Nearby, Patrick Gallois and John Pittman are exploring microalgae's potential as a biofuel source. Microalgae projects extend to wastewater purification and the production of high-value chemicals.
This summer, undergraduate, Toby Holdcroft is attempting to identify a new species of species in the Asphodelaceae family best known for the genus Aloe and mostly found in the southern region of Africa. Toby’s task is to confirm the identity of over 300 plants from this family. This requires extracting and sequencing DNA from each plant. If this sequence is matched with great certainty against the BOLD (Barcode of Life Datasystem) – a library of DNA – then the species can be identified. This research, therefore, is also contributing to a DNA bank for other research centres to use.
The Firs proudly houses an atmospheric observatory, a £2 million monitoring centre supported by the National Environment Research Council. Researchers diligently track air quality fluctuations to comprehend pollution events, shaping strategies for cleaner environments.
Community Projects
The Firs extends its impact beyond academia by engaging with the local community. The polytunnel houses various varieties of tomatoes, all of which end up with Cracking Good Food for cooking demos. Firs regularly hosts residents from local homeless shelter who visit the site to learn about the food system, to harvest fresh produce for themselves and contribute to the broader community through initiatives like the Oldham Council’s vegbox scheme for low-income families.
As The Firs continues to blaze new trails in environmental research, it seeks the support and involvement of individuals who share its passion for sustainable solutions. Whether you are a plant enthusiast, a gardening enthusiast, or simply curious about contributing to positive change, The Firs welcomes your engagement.
Reach out to oliver.hughes@manchester.ac.uk
or visit https://find-volunteering.manchester.ac.uk/opportunities to learn more.