Evaluating efforts to create temperate rainforest: recruitment of biodiversity and resilience to natural enemies

BUCKLEY_P25ARIES

Evaluating efforts to create temperate rainforest: recruitment of biodiversity and resilience to natural enemies

BUCKLEY_P25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr James Buckley, Biological and Marine Sciences (SoBMS), University of Plymouth – contact me

Dr Jennifer Rowntree, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

Dr Tom Murphy, School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth

Professor Kevin Watts, Forest Research

Background

The British and Irish Isles have very low levels of current tree cover and what remains is frequently of poor condition [1]. The UK government has therefore proposed increasing tree cover to 16.5% in England by 2050, through tree planting and/or natural regeneration via seed dispersal. Tree planting is expensive but necessary for woodland expansion [2], yet a lack of long-term monitoring means the capacity of planted woodland and natural regeneration to support healthy and resilient native woodland is often unclear [3]. This project focuses on Temperate Rainforest, an internationally important woodland habitat found in mild and wet climates and characterised by extensive growth of epiphytes (ferns, mosses and lichens).

Methodology

This project will assess the recruitment of biodiversity (above- and belowground) and health (extent of pathogen infection and herbivore damage) of woodlands created by tree planting and natural regeneration in the temperate rainforest zone of SW England. Long-established temperate rainforest sites will be used as a control habitat for these comparisons. Aboveground surveys of epiphytes and natural enemies (insect herbivores and pathogens) will be conducted, as well as DNA metabarcoding of soil fungal communities to provide insight into the recruitment of key mycorrhizal fungal partners. Additional sampling of planted sites along a temperature and precipitation gradient identified from recent climate mapping of SW rainforest [4], using the approach adopted in [5], will provide insight into climatic effects on the recruitment of rainforest indicator species. The student will visit field sites across two growing seasons to collect data on plant health and community diversity, as well as samples for molecular metabarcoding analysis.

Person specification & Training

The candidate should have a degree in Biology, Ecology or Environmental Sciences (or similar), with experience of field and lab-based (molecular) research, and an interest in understanding and communicating the importance of UK woodland restoration and expansion. The project will provide the postgraduate researcher with extensive fieldwork experience, as well as laboratory and analytical skills in metabarcoding. Experience of mapping using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) would be an advantage. Site selection will provide opportunities to network with a range of landowners and practitioners.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Biology, Ecology or Environmental Science (or similar)

References

  • Reid, C, Hornigold K., McHenry E, Nichols C, Townsend M, et al. (2021). State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2021, Woodland Trust. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2021/04/state-of-uk-woods-and-trees-2021/
  • Murphy TR, Hanley ME, Ellis JE, and Lunt PH. (2022). Optimizing opportunities for oak woodland expansion into upland pastures. Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 3(1), e12126. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12126
  • Bauld J, Guy M, Hughes S, Forster J and Watts K .(2023). Assessing the use of natural colonization to create new forests within temperate agriculturally dominated landscapes. Restoration Ecology 31 (8), e14004. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14004
  • Murphy TR, Chernyuk K, Roszkowski M, Lewin S, Lunt PH, Buckley J. (2024). State of Temperate Rainforest in SW England – mapping and report. South West Rainforest Alliance, University of Plymouth. Preview map available at: https://swtemperaterainforest.nextgis.com/resource/414/display?panel=layers
  • Buckley J, Widmer A, Mescher MC, & De Moraes CM. (2019). Variation in growth and defence traits among plant populations at different elevations: Implications for adaptation to climate change. Journal of Ecology, 107, 2478–2492. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13171

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