Sex and synchrony: the role of males and females in driving population synchrony in wild birds

BUTLER_UBIO25ARIES

Sex and synchrony: the role of males and females in driving population synchrony in wild birds

BUTLER_UBIO25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Simon Butler, Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia – contact me

Professor Jenny Gill, UEA-BIO

Dr Rob Robinson, British Trust for Ornithology

Dr Cat Morrison, UEA-BIO

 

Project background

Abundance synchrony is a common feature of wild populations, with dispersal between sites identified as a key driving process. In birds, synchrony between populations is expected to be more strongly influenced by female dispersal rates as males tend to show higher natal philopatry. Female dispersal can also lead to skewed sex ratios, with females potentially attracted disproportionately to areas with larger numbers of conspecifics. Sites with strong synchrony or male-biased sex ratios are predicted to have a higher risk of local extinction but the association between population synchrony and sex ratio, and their interactive effects on population dynamics, are not known.

This project will explore the relationship between abundance synchrony and sex ratios and its role in driving local population trends of European birds. It will identify landscape and environmental factors influencing, and demographic rates influenced by, this relationship to help guide the development of conservation actions to reverse ongoing bird population declines. Specifically, the postgraduate researcher will combine analyses of long-term bird ringing data from the European Constant Effort Site (Euro-CES) scheme with metrics of local synchrony, remote-sensed data and targeted fieldwork at UK-CES sites to:

1) Identify sites with populations showing skewed sex ratios and strong abundance synchrony

2) Quantify the interactive effects of synchrony and sex ratio on local demographic rates and population dynamics

3) Determine the influence of local abundance, landscape and environmental characteristics on these relationships

Training

The successful candidate will receive extensive training in the application of ecological principles and concepts to applied issues; exploration and analysis of large-scale, long-term citizen science datasets; field data collection skills and techniques. You can expect to achieve a high level of competency in statistical modelling, gain a wide range of skills in critical thinking, scientific writing and science communication, and be encouraged to develop independent lines of research alongside the core objectives.

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a degree in Ecology, Environmental Sciences or a related subject. Experience of undertaking biodiversity surveys, handling large datasets and familiarity with computer packages such as R and GIS will be an advantage.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences or related subjects

 

References

  • Morrison, C.A., Butler, S.J., Clark, J.A., Arizaga, J., Baltà, O., Cepák, J., Nebot, A.L., Piha, M., Thorup, K., Wenninger, T., Robinson, R.A., Gill, J.A. (2022) Demographic variation in space and time: implications for conservation targeting. R. Soc. Open Sci. 9: 211671
  • Morrison, C.A., Butler, S.J., Robinson, R.A., …, Gill, J.A. (2021) Covariation in population trends and demography reveals targets for conservation action. Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20202955
  • Morrison, C.A., Robinson, R.A., Butler, S.J., Clark, J.A. & Gill, J.A. (2016) Demographic drivers of decline and recovery in an Afro-Palearctic migratory bird population. Proc. R. Soc. B 283: 20161387
  • Morrison, C.A., Robinson, R.A., Clark, J.A & Gill, J.A. (2016) Causes and consequences of spatial variation in sex ratios in a declining bird species. J. Anim. Ecol. 85: 1298-1306
  • Robinson, R.A. (2024) Understanding population change: the value of the EuroCES constant-effort ringing programme. Ring. Migr. 38: 29-37

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 via the  University of East Anglia application portal