Overview
In this project, we will use multiple approaches (plant transplants, herbivory monitoring and remote sensing) to characterise the tropical montane forest ecotonal transition and understand the potential mechanisms involved in the success or failure of tree species altitudinal migration.
About this opportunity
Background
Tropical forests are among Earth’s most vital ecosystems in terms of carbon storage, climate regulation, and biodiversity, but their response to climate change remains deeply uncertain. As temperatures rise, thousands of tropical species are expected to be forced to “migrate” to higher elevations to remain within suitable conditions. The success or failure of these migrations will have profound consequences, potentially leading to widespread extinctions and permanent changes in the composition and functioning of forests globally.
The ability of trees to migrate upslope and survive will be determined by the existence and stability of an impermeable migration barrier at tropical mountains’ mid-elevations (the cloudbase ecotone). The high moisture and low light conditions in cloud forests mark a sharp environmental and floristic transition. This cloudbase barrier is poorly understood due to insufficient long-term monitoring of local climate and vegetation.
Goals
Recruitment into, and survival of lower montane tree species within the cloud forests are key processes that will eventually avoid tree species range contraction and potential extinction – however, the capacity for lower elevation tree species to shift into the cloud base ecotone is unknown. We will perform a transplant experiment where we will monitor survival and performance of a group of lower-montane tree species moved upward to cloud forest elevations in the Andes. We will investigate the impact of herbivory in the transplants and along the ecotonal transition.
We will also use remote sensing approaches (e.g. geospatial foundation models) to characterise and understand the ecotone and the transition between ecosystems. The student will have the opportunity to explore and expand questions such as:
– Where is the cloud forest ecotone? How can we characterise it?
– Can lower elevation species survive above the cloudbase?
– What determines species survival and performance?
– Is herbivory a challenge for incoming species?
– Is a range shift possible for mutualistic-dependent trees?
The transplant will take place in Podocarpus National Park, Ecuador, where there are optimal logistical conditions and extensive expertise. The project requires data collection during at least 2 field seasons.
Training and Collaborations
The PhD student will benefit from being embedded within a larger funded project, providing additional resources, and research and training support. The PhD student will join a new research team led by Dr Belen Fadrique, supported by another PhD student, a technician and a postdoctoral researcher in the next few years, plus a larger network of collaborators in Liverpool and internationally. The team will support the PhD student with training in field and computational techniques, and analyses relevant to the project. Additional training on complementary research skills and career development will also be provided. There will be funding and opportunities for undertaking local outreach activities, attending international conferences, visiting international collaborators, and getting involved in additional lab projects.
This position poses an exciting opportunity to carry out novel inspiring research on one of the most important challenges faced by current society, in a supportive, well-resourced, and inclusive environment. The project involves field work and ecological data handling in addition to remote sensing data processing. This is a challenging project because of the diversity of techniques used and the intensive fieldwork plan, and it requires a highly motivated student.
Further reading
Fadrique B., Báez S., Duque A., Malizia A., Blundo C., Carilla J., Osinaga-Acosta O., Malizia L., Silman M., Farfan-Rios W., Malhi Y., Young K.R., Cuesta F.C., Homeier J., Peralvo M., Pinto E., Jadan O., Aguirre N., Aguirre Z., Feeley K.J. (2018) Widespread but heterogeneous responses of Andean forests to climate change. Nature, 564: 207–212. Fahey TJ, Sherman RE, Tanner EVJ. Tropical montane cloud forest: environmental drivers of vegetation structure and ecosystem function. Journal of Tropical Ecology. 2016;32(5):355-367. doi:10.1017/S0266467415000176