Understanding the primary drivers for seagrass (Zostera marina) recovery and regeneration

ROWNTREE_P25ARIES

Understanding the primary drivers for seagrass (Zostera marina) recovery and regeneration

ROWNTREE_P25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Jennifer Rowntree, Biological and Marine Sciences (SoBMS), University of Plymouth – contact me

Dr Glen Wheeler, Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB

Professor Martin Attrill, University of Plymouth, School of Biological and Marine Sciences

 

Scientific Background

In the shallow coastal waters around the UK, we have been losing a globally important, but hidden, habitat. Seagrasses are the only angiosperm that live fully in the marine environment. They provide important nursery grounds for fish, can clean excess nutrients from the water and have the potential to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change. The Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), based in the National Marine Aquarium, has been working to address seagrass habitat loss in the UK since 2013. They are leaders at growing subtidal seagrass for reintroduction and key partners in large-scale restoration projects. Restoring habitats that have been degraded or destroyed is difficult, especially when we have limited information about the processes that govern growth and survival of the organisms involved. In partnership between the OCT, the Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth, this project will examine the genetic diversity of intertidal seagrass communities (Zostera marina) to understand how this determines physiological responses to environmental factors and influences growth and regeneration. The research will be used to help improve restoration success in seagrass beds and enable a faster roll-out of restoration activities.

Research methodology

Activities will be structured across the programme with an emphasis on gaining molecular skills in year one. There will be field activities throughout the project, coupled with plant growth experiments and application of physiological techniques from year two. The multidisciplinary supervisory team from three different institutes provide a unique opportunity to experience different research environments and work in an interdisciplinary team.

Training

Training will be provided in molecular, physiological and ecological techniques along with experimental design and statistical analysis. Activities will be undertaken across laboratory, plant-growth facilities and in the field. By working closely with the Ocean Conservation Trust, the PGR will be directly involved in active seagrass restoration efforts within the UK.

Person specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual with an interest in seagrass restoration. Prior experience of field work (especially in the marine environment), delivering practical conservation projects, a diving qualification (e.g. PADI Divemaster or equivalent), working in a laboratory setting and of molecular techniques would be desireable.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Biological Sciences, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science.

References

  • Canty S.W.J, Kennedy J.P., Fox G., Matterson K., González V.L., Núñez-Vallecillo M.L., Preziosi R.F., Rowntree J.K. (2022) Mangrove diversity is more than fringe deep. Scientific Reports. 12:1695.
  • Kennedy J.P., Johnson G.N., Preziosi R.F., Rowntree J.K. (2022) Genetically-based trait shifts at an expanding mangrove range margin. Hydrobiologia. 849:1777-1794.
  • Alotaibi N.M., Kenyon E.J., Bertelli C.M., Al-Qthanin R.N., Mead J., Parry M., Bull J.C. (2022) Environment predicts seagrass genotype, phenotype, and associated biodiversity in a temperate system. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13:887474.
  • McCoy S.J., Stanillán-Sarmiento A., Brown M.T., Widdicombe S., Wheeler G.A. (2020) Photosynthetic responses of turf-forming red macroalgae to high-CO2 conditions. Journal of Phycology, 56(1): 85-96.
  • Smale D.A., Epstein G., Parry M., Attrill M.J. (2019). Spatiotemporal variability in the structure of seagrass meadows and associated macrofaunal assemblages in southwest England (UK): using citizen science to benchmark ecological pattern. Ecology and Evolution, 9: 3958-3972.

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