Swamped: Is Crassula helmsii a significant threat to wetland biodiversity?

BILTON_P25ARIES

Swamped: Is Crassula helmsii a significant threat to wetland biodiversity?

BILTON_P25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor David Bilton, Biological and Marine Sciences (SoBMS), University of Plymouth – contact me

Dr Andy Foggo, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

Dr Robert Puschendorf, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

 

Project background

Biological invasions represent one of the most significant threats to biodiversity. Freshwaters are disproportionately affected by such invasions, and home to a disproportionately large proportion of biodiversity, especially invertebrates.  They also provide crucial ecosystem services. Crassula helmsii, a native Australasian plant, has been aggressively invading European freshwaters for over 30 years, with drastic consequences for their floristic diversity. Understanding of Crassula’s impacts on invertebrates, which make up the bulk of freshwater diversity, are more limited. Our work suggests that whilst Crassula invasion changes community composition and function, it does not lead to drastic declines in fully aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity or biomass. Much of the biodiversity in sites invaded by Crassula is not fully aquatic, however, with many specialist wetland invertebrates living in the seasonally flooded margins, which are heavily invaded, alongside open water habitats. The impact of Crassula on this critical component of freshwater ecosystems remains unknown, and there is an urgent need for quantitative data to inform management and policy.

Research methodology

This project will examine the effects of Crassula on wetland invertebrates using both fieldwork and laboratory experiments. Fieldwork will be conducted in established locations, where investigations of aquatic communities has already been undertaken, allowing a holistic picture of Crassula’s ecological impacts.

Training

Training in a range of skills, from freshwater invertebrate biology through experimental design, to advanced univariate and multivariate analyses of ecological data. Will gain experience of fieldwork alongside experienced scientists, develop knowledge of cutting-edge approaches in biostatistics and test fundamental ecological hypotheses about the mechanistic bases for the spread/control of invasives. Will have the opportunity to act as a university demonstrator, disseminate their work and its results via written and oral outputs, and build a library of skills and competences that will elevate their employability to a level commensurate with doctoral status, applicable across a wide range of employment.

Person specification

You must be numerate and literate with an interest in aquatic ecology and a driving licence valid for UK use; some demonstrable experience in invertebrate taxonomy and identification is desirable although not essential, as is a training in the fundamentals of biostatistics.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or similar.

References

  • Tasker, S. J. L., Foggo, A., Scheers, K., van, D. L. J., Giordano, S. & Bilton, D. T., (2024) Nuanced impacts of the invasive aquatic plant Crassula helmsii on Northwest European freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages. Science of the Total Environment 913: 169667
  • Tasker, S. J. L., Foggo, A. & Bilton, D. T., (2024) Are impacts of the invasive alien plant Crassula helmsii mediated by detritus? A litter experiment in a temperate pond. Hydrobiologia 851: 4135–4148.
  • Tasker, S. J. L., Foggo, A. & Bilton, D. T., (2022) Quantifying the ecological impacts of alien aquatic macrophytes: a global meta-analysis of effects on fish, macroinvertebrate and macrophyte assemblages. Freshwater Biology 67: 1847-1860.
  • Tasker, S. J. L. & Bilton, D. T., (2023) Field evidence of caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae, Leptoceridae) using alien Crassula helmsii (Kirk) Cockayne fragments (Saxifragales: Crassulaceae) in case construction. Aquatic Insects 45: 82-86.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of Plymouth Application Portal