Overview
Biodiversity is declining across the globe, with accompanying changes in species composition. Changes in the diversity and composition of aboveground and belowground communities, as well as their interactions, can profoundly influence the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, it remains challenging to predict the response of ecosystems to global change due to the lack of understanding of the response of species interactions.
About this opportunity
Mycorrhizal symbioses play critical roles in mediating vegetation dynamics, however, few experimental tests have been conducted to examine how tree-mycorrhiza interactions interact with tree species diversity under global change. Even fewer tests have been conducted using tree species with different types of mycorrhizal symbionts [arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) vs. ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi] representing different resource-use and life-history strategies, even though many forests contain mixtures of AM and ECM hosts.
Objectives
This project aims to make a major step forward in our understanding of the effects of changing environments on species interactions that underpin biodiversity maintenance. It will investigate how global change influences interaction outcomes between AM and ECM tree species and therefore species coexistence. It has three major objectives:
- Quantify interaction outcomes between AM and ECM tree species under two of the most globally pervasive perturbations (i.e. drought and nitrogen enrichment) using mesocosm experiments and modelling approaches.
- Test whether experimental interaction outcomes between tree species are shaped by tree functional traits, root exudates and soil microbial communities.
- Synthesize global datasets to examine the responses of AM and ECM tree species to multiple global change factors and predict the impacts of global change on forest community structure.
Timeliness
There are many major current reforestation/afforestation initiatives, such as in the framework of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), but with no real mechanistic understanding of how mixtures of tree species and mycorrhizal types will benefit forest ecosystem services and their resilience to global change. In this context, this project is highly relevant for developing new knowledge about maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in tree planation.
Training opportunities
The PhD student will gain training in forest ecology, community ecology, soil ecology, microbial ecology, big-data syntheses, and ecological modelling, with supervisory support from ecologists at the University of Liverpool and University of Lancaster. The PhD student will be supported to conduct experiments in Ness Botanic Gardens, present findings at scientific conferences, and travel to visit external supervisor and international collaborators.
Project CASE Status
This project is not a CASE project. While individual applicant quality is our overriding criterion for selection, the ACCE DTP has a commitment for 40% of all studentships to be CASE funded – as such, CASE projects may be favoured in shortlisting applicants when candidates are otherwise deemed to be equal or a consensus on student quality cannot be reached. This will only be undertaken as a last resort for separating candidates following interview.