mercredi 3 septembre 2008

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in semi-natural systems

The role of diversity in regulation of ecosystem function and stability is a complex issue; and continued provision of ecosystem services in a rapidly changing world is of particular interest to policy makers. This study will investigate the role that above- and below-ground diversity plays in the maintenance of a range of Ecosystem Services such as carbon sequestration and pollination.

The study will collect data from existing field experiments and new survey sites, and will set up a chronosequence study to examine the role of diversity in the context of successional change. It will utilise a wide range of UK habitats along the productivity-diversity gradient (including grasslands, woodland, and arable set-aside) with a focus on grazed and ungrazed sand dune and saltmarsh grasslands.

The project will collect new and existing data on diversity in plants, insects and soil organisms ranging from macro-invertebrates down to genetic diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizae (by RT-PCR), to examine effects of management intensity on diversity, and its role in maintenance of multiple ecosystem services.

The project will be based in the new Environment Centre for Wales in Bangor, and will use field sites around the UK.

This is a joint studentship with Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Bangor (Supervisor Dr. Laurence Jones), and Bangor University (Supervisor Prof. Davey Jones). We are seeking a strongly motivated individual with a good, relevant degree. The successful candidate will have a strong academic record, specific experience in environmental biology and good computational skills. Both fieldwork and labwork including molecular techniques form major components of the project. Much of the specialist taxonomic work will be contracted out, however some taxonomic expertise in any group: (plants, invertebrates, etc.) would be useful. A full driving licence would be an advantage.

Please contact supervisors (see further information) for more details. Apply by email or post, with CV and a covering letter detailing how your skills and experience make you the best candidate for this PhD. Please include names and full contact details incl. email address of at least 2 referees. Deadline 5.00pm on 26 Sept; interviews week of 6-10 Oct.

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