Disentangling the effects of climate change on plant-microbe interactions in salt marsh ecosystems

CAVANAGH_E25ARIES CASE project with Essex Wildlife Trust

Disentangling the effects of climate change on plant-microbe interactions in salt marsh ecosystems

CAVANAGH_E25ARIES CASE project with Essex Wildlife Trust

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.

References

  • Busch FA, Ainsworth EA, Amtmann A, Cavanagh AP, Driever SM, Ferguson JN, Kromdijk J, Lawson T, Leakey ADB, Matthews JSA, Meacham-Hensold K, Vath RL, Vialet-Chabrand S, Walker BJ, Papanatsiou M. (2024) A guide to photosynthetic gas exchange measurements: Fundamental principles, best practice and potential pitfalls. Plant Cell & Environment in press
  • Moore CM, Meacham-Hensold K, Lemonnier P, Slattery RA, Benjamin C, Bernacchi CJ, Lawson T, Cavanagh AP (2021) The effect of increasing temperature on crop photosynthesis: from enzymes to ecosystems. Journal of experimental botany 72(8)2822-44
  • Heymans S, Gattuso JP, Hicks N, Neukermans G, Landschützer P, Pörtner HO. (2023). Blue Carbon: Challenges and opportunities to mitigate the climate and biodiversity crises EMB Policy Brief N° 11 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8314215
  • Vázquez-Lule A, & Vargas, R. (2021). Biophysical drivers of net ecosystem and methane exchange across phenological phases in a tidal salt marsh. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 300, 108309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2020.108309
  • Underwood G, Dumbrell A, McGenity T, McKew B, Whitby C (2022). The microbiome of coastal sediments. In: The Marine Microbiome, 479-534.

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

Please send your cover letter and CV to:  ariesapp@essex.ac.uk, identifying the project that you’re interested in. Please include the relevant project code.