NERC funded CASE PhD in the Environment Dept, University of
York
Title: Biodiversity and ecosystem service conservation in
protected peatland ecosystems
Background
In Britain, only 5% of original lowland raised peatlands
remain and are priorities under the EU Habitats Directive. Restoration of
peatland provides many ecosystem services and habitat for key species including
Red-Listed nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus. However, anecdotal evidence
suggests that increasing deer numbers are having adverse impacts on peatlands
and dependent species.
Objectives
1) Use thermal imaging and electronic tracking on and around
Humberhead Peatlands NNR, in combination with habitat data, to determine the
habitat preferences of red and roe deer, and nightjars to identify overlap and
potential conflicts.
2) Use participatory mapping of deer activity on and around
Peatlands with local stakeholders, to develop representations of deer movements
which will then be compared and integrated with objective 3 using GIS to
develop maps of deer abundance.
3) Assess current deer population levels and impacts in and
around the NNR, to evaluate changing impacts and develop appropriate adaptive
management.
4) Integrate the CASE partner NE’s long term datasets (35+
years) on nightjars, water levels and habitats from several NNRs with the above
data to model the likely impacts of ongoing peatland restoration through
raising water levels and potential deer management.
Supervisor: Dr Piran White (York Environment)
Co-supervisors: Dr Kathryn Arnold (York Environment) &
Dr Julian Small (Natural England)
To discuss your suitability for this project please email: piran.white@york.ac.uk
For application details: http://www.york.ac.uk/biology/postgraduate/nercdtp/