Connectivity and conservation of migratory seabirds

Connectivity and conservation of migratory seabirds

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Marius Somveille, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Aldina Franco, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Peter Miller, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

 

 

Scientific Background

Seabirds are highly mobile organisms connecting distant regions across the world’s oceans and seas. While being important contributors to marine ecosystems, seabirds are also particularly threatened by human activity. To design effective conservation strategies, it is crucial to know how seabirds connect marine sites through their movement along marine flyways. An understanding of such seabird flyway connectivity patterns is, however, sorely lacking. Which marine sites are most critical for migratory seabird conservation? Which populations are most exposed to anthropogenic threats throughout the annual cycle? How are environmental conditions shaping flyway connectivity?

 

Research Methodology

Benefitting from the strong expertise of the supervisory team in movement ecology and oceanography, the project will leverage large existing datasets on (i) the movement of migratory seabirds throughout their annual cycle, available via BirdLife’s Seabird Tracking Database (STD) which hosts >20,000 individual movement trajectories from >110 species worldwide, and (ii) the spatio-temporal dynamics of oceanographic conditions and fisheries.

You will address the following objectives, which will be developed and prioritised according to your interests.

– Mapping threats at sea: generate spatially- and temporally-explicit risk maps of anthropogenic threats to seabirds along marine flyways.

– Describe site connectivity along global flyways, using a global dataset of important areas for seabirds (i.e., Key Biodiversity Areas) and data from the STD.

– Investigate the drivers of flyway connectivity: adapting existing models of bird movement and migration to test hypotheses about the ecological processes shaping observed connectivity patterns.

– Identify species and populations that have the highest exposure to anthropogenic threats throughout their annual cycle.

 

Training

You will be part of a supportive and dynamic research environment at UEA and work with collaborators at BirdLife and the PML. You will receive hands-on training in spatial data analysis, while developing conceptual understanding and critical thinking in movement ecology, marine science and conservation. You will build strong interdisciplinary research skills in statistical analysis, data visualisation, advanced programming, writing and oral presentation, and receive training to enhance transferable skills and employability.

 

Person Specification

Enthusiastic individual with excellent communication skills and a keen interest for marine ecology and conservation. Experience of programming is desirable.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental sciences or related discipline

Project code: SOMEVEILLE_UEA_ARIES26

References

  • Wakefield ED, Miller DL, …, Miller PI, … Matthioppoulos J (2021) The summer distribution, habitat associations and abundance of seabirds in the sub-polar frontal zone of the Northwest Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography, 198: 102657.
  • Somveille M, Bay RA, Smith TB, Marra PP, Ruegg K (2021) A general theory of avian migratory connectivity. Ecology Letters, 24: 1848–1858
  • Buchan C, Franco AMA, Catry I, Gamero A, Klvañová A, Gilroy JJ (2022) Spatially explicit risk mapping reveals direct anthropogenic impacts on migratory birds. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 31: 1707–725.
  • Dias MP, Martin R, Pearmain EJ, Burfield IJ, Small C, Phillips RA, et al. (2019) Threats to seabirds: a global assessment. Biological Conservation, 237: 525–537.
  • Somveille M, Dias MP, Weimerskirch H, Davies TE (2020) Projected migrations of southern Indian Ocean albatrosses as a response to climate change. Ecography 43: 1683–1691

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). 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 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke 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. 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 immigration 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 asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are 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. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the  University of East Anglia Application Portal