Project Description
Supervisors
Dr Amanda Cavanagh, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex – contact me
Dr Natalie Hicks, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
Professor Corinne Whitby, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex
Scientific background
Salt marshes are among the most productive systems on Earth. They act as large carbon sinks, and are critical to mitigating against CO2 emissions. The plant-microbial communities in these environments are fundamental to carbon cycling, influencing carbon storage and greenhouse gas flux, whilst being resilient to harsh environments (i.e. periods of drought/submergence in salt waters). They are also under threat from coastal land reclamation, limited sediment supply, increased nutrient/eutrophication, and sea level rise. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge on the interplay between the plant-microbial processes in relation to the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and how these respond in a changing climate. This project aims to better understand the functional plant-microbial interactions involved in carbon cycling in salt marsh ecosystems in relation to plant diversity, physiology and ecosystem function under a changing climate (e.g. elevated CO2, temperature, increased periods of drought).
Research methodology
The postgraduate researcher will use a combination of climate-controlled lab-scale mesocosms (via the new STEPS Facility) alongside a seasonal field campaign. You will utilise state-of-the-art molecular, biogeochemical and plant physiological techniques to characterise, quantify plant physiological responses, carbon dynamics, across gradients from the upper intertidal to sub-littoral salt marsh zones, including vegetated and unvegetated sediments. The project will focus on salt marshes along the East Anglian coastline, benefitting from existing datasets, and strong relationships between supervisors and stakeholders (Conservation organisations, Government Agencies, Local Authorities). Fieldwork will include spatial and temporal sediment sampling, for microbial characterisation and plant physiological measurements and related to gas flux data, carbon stock and associated environmental parameters (e.g. nutrient concentrations).
Training
You will receive training in plant physiology, analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, molecular microbial ecology and bioinformatics, and gain key fieldwork skills. You will be encouraged to present their research at scientific conferences for data dissemination, networking opportunities
Acceptable first degree subjects: Environmental Science, Plant Science, Microbiology, Ecology or Biological Science related subject.