Overview
If you’ve ever wondered why some introduced species become invasive while others do not, this PhD is for you.
About this opportunity
Many plants species introduced from the southern hemisphere to the UK are showing signs of establishment and spread, and they have the potential to negatively impact local biodiversity and ecosystem function. Some species may pose a greater invasion risk under climate change, if the climate in the UK more strongly overlaps with climate in the species’ native range. To better quantify risk and target prioritisation of ornamental plant species for management, there is a pressing need to understand their ecology and current and future behaviour.
In this PhD project, you will generate the scientific basis for the assessment of invasion risk by ornamental plants introduced to the UK from the southern hemisphere (southern South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand), contributing to ongoing efforts that aim to prioritise species for removal from the wild, or for removal from sale.
Depending on the student and on availability of additional funds, we can explore the feasibility of describing the genetic component for evolved differences in competitive ability in potentially invasive plants using sequencing for at least one species.
Skills
In this PhD, you will have the opportunity to amass a skills set that is relevant to a wide range of employers, covering data sciences and advanced statistical analysis (using R), experimental design and management skills, field work experience, knowledge and application of biological risk assessment approaches, and characterising/modelling climatic niches. You will also benefit from gaining skills in developing evidenced-based policy and decision-making through the PhD placement with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, as well as skills in communicating science to a broader audience.
Training
The project will include training in species distribution modelling (covered by the research and training support grant), and data science/statistical analysis training will be provided as standard within the ACCE+ training programme.
Further training will be provided by the supervisory team, in conducting plant growth experiments and measuring/analysing competition between plants. Additionally, there will be opportunities for gaining experience in public engagement with research and specifically raising awareness about the threats of invasive species. There are opportunities to learn more about existing invasion sciences projects led by UKCEH, and to gain knowledge and experience in non-native species prioritization and the science-policy interface from the CASE partner.
Research Environment
The Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour has a thriving postgraduate community, with regular early-career researcher focused seminars, and inclusive research away days and colloquia. The project offers a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative research environment focused on the study on biological invasions (Prof Wayne Dawson’s research lab), and to benefit from the wide-ranging expertise of the supervisory team (plant functional and evolutionary ecology, prioritising and managing biological invasions, macroecology, and dealing with large data-sets).
Project CASE Status
This project is a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-6 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations.