Research Studentship, ESRC/NERC Interdisciplinary Research, Cardiff University, UK
Job Description: Water is vital to maintaining biodiversity and supporting the quality of life. In Europe, directives such as the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) require government agencies to minimize the deleterious effects of water resource utilization and other pressures on freshwaters. For many key freshwater organisms, however, the information needed to support such government action is limited. In addition, success to minimize environmental impact depends upon general public support, both directly through adjustment of behavior (e.g., pollution containment, water conservation) and indirectly through financial investment. The sophistication of habitat management strategies is often limited by our inability to predict the public support required for their effective implementation. Given that habitat stresses will likely increase due to climate-driven environmental change, the need for effective management strategies for sustaining or even improving Britain’s diverse river habitat is all the greater.
This PhD will examine the potential impacts of climate change on one of the most iconic and sensitive of all freshwater organisms, the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.). In an inter-disciplinary study focused on the rivers of Wales, the work will assess potential climatic effects on pearl mussels, and appraise public perception of the management strategies that may be required for improving their habitat quality. Pearl mussels were once widespread in clean, stony rivers in Britain, but have since been driven to near extinction due to sediment pollution, eutrophication, and over-harvesting. The species has been classified as a priority by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group, and a national Species Action Plan has been prepared to encourage measures for its survival. To support these efforts, the PhD will:
1. Establish a numerical model capable of predicting rates and patterns of catchment erosion in response to different climate change scenarios.
2. Develop predictions of sediment loading into Welsh rivers and the consequent for pearl mussels and their habitats based on the findings of (1).
3. Canvas various communities across Wales and determine public perceptions of climate-change risks, values associated with river habitats, and prevalence of relevant ecosystem/resource use practices (e.g., water conservation, tourism).
4. Combine the geographically distributed data sets from (2) and (3) to determine where habitat requirements and public perception are most positively/negatively aligned.
5. Assist policy-makers in Wales in utilising the findings of (4) to determine appropriate courses of action in managing habitat and public engagement.
Application Deadline 18th August 2010
Tags: research, Scholarship, Studentship, Technology, UK, University
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