Project details
Our ability to live sustainably with the natural world is dependent on how we derive societal benefits from freshwater ecosystems, including the provision of fresh water, food and energy. Currently, our derivation of these benefits is increasingly recognised as unsustainable; provision of freshwater for drinking and industry results in drying rivers; food supplies either over-exploit wild fish stocks leading to collapse or rely on aquaculture activities that pollute surrounding waters; and energy production transforms aquatic environments through loss of river connectivity. These activities are driving major and unsustainable declines in freshwater biodiversity, with population reductions of over 80% since the 1970s.
These freshwater biodiversity declines are most apparent in species with complex lifecycles, especially diadromous fishes (lifecycles involving movements between freshwater and marine environments), with all 16 European mid- and long-distance migratory fishes suffering substantial population declines in recent decades (by up to 93%). Returning populations of these species back to sustainable levels is thus a high conservation priority globally. Achieving this priority action is, however, highly challenging, as our current understandings of these population declines have major knowledge gaps that arise from the difficulty and complexity of collecting and analysing long-term data across spatially discrete habitats and multiple life-stages. However, developments in fish telemetry technologies now enable the tracking of migrations of individual fishes across key lifetime events.
An example of an anadromous fish species experiencing recent and rapid population declines is the brown/sea trout Salmo trutta. A major impediment to understandings of their declines is that their populations consist of both freshwater resident (non-migratory) and migratory (anadromous ‘sea trout’) forms, with the drivers of this divergent life history strategy remaining unclear. Whilst it is considered that anadromous females provide a greater reproductive contribution to the next generation than freshwater residents, but with trade-offs involving considerably higher energetic costs and mortality risks, why some individuals migrate when others remain river-resident remains a major knowledge gap.
Although brown/sea trout population declines are considered as driven strongly by reduced survival during the marine phase of their life cycle, it is also considered that carry-over effects from freshwater life stages have a strong influence on this survival, as has been already identified in the anadromous Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, where collaborative work between BU and the match funder recently revealed the positive influence on marine survival and river return rates of larger emigrating juveniles (‘smolts’).
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The closing date for applications is 27 September 2024.
Supervisors
Professor Robert Britton is an aquatic ecologist who specialises in fish ecology. His research interests cover the impacts on aquatic fauna of anthropogenic stressors, including invasive alien species (including parasites), habitat loss and climate change. Robert works on issues ranging from the ecological consequences of biological invasions through to the predicting the impacts of climate change on fish life history traits. He generally applies empirical approaches, including stable isotope analysis and aquatic telemetry and population genetics.
Outputs of his work have included the development of risk management schemes for invasive species, analysis and evaluation of invasive fish eradication programmes and increased understandings of invasion patterns and processes. Robert works on a range of natural systems (e.g. River Severn, Norfolk Broads, River Frome) and experimental systems using more controlled conditions.
Subjects of recent publications include predicting the impact of climate change on the growth and distribution of cyprinid fishes, the use of biocontrol to manage invasive fish populations and how invasive fish and parasites affect food web structure. Robert is an associate editor for the Journal of Applied Ecology and Biological Invasions.
Dr Matthew Hill completed his PhD at Loughborough University, which examined the macroinvertebrate diversity of pond habitats and quantified the relative influence of local environmental and spatial parameters influencing community structure across a range of pond types. His PhD also provided direct evidence of the conservation value of ponds, and practical management recommendations at local and landscape scales. After Matthew completed his PhD, he moved to the University of Worcester to undertake postdoctoral research focusing on the biodiversity and the organisation of macroinvertebrate metacommunities in intermittent rivers. In particular, this research focused on the total biodiversity (incorporating lotic, ponding and terrestrial taxa) of intermittent rivers to inform conservation and management strategies, and the community assembly processes driving metacommunity structure in intermittent rivers. Matthew joined the University of Huddersfield as a Lecturer in Geography in 2018, and then Bournemouth University as a Lecturer in Ecology in 2023.
Dr Sophie Elliott (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)
Dr Jonathan Gillson (Cefas)
Funding
A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £18,622 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 36 months.
Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship.
Academic support
The Research Development Programme, developed by the Doctoral College in line with the Researcher Development Framework (Vitae).An added benefit is the opportunity to meet researchers from other academic schools at BU through the activities of the Doctoral College and benefit from their experiences, skills, and perspectives.
Fully entry requirements
The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students.
Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
- An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.
In addition to satisfying minimum entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.
Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form and a proposal (approximately 1500 words) outlining their understanding of the project for which they are applying, the approach they would envisage taking and what qualities they will bring to the research community.
Please note:
- current BU Doctoral students are not eligible to apply for a Studentship
- current MRes/MPhil students can apply, subject to satisfactory completion of their Research Degree prior to being able to take up the award
- PhD Studentships cannot be used to support BU staff to complete doctoral programmes.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 (with a minimum 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.
View further information about our English language requirements.
A number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes are offered through our partner institution, Bournemouth University International College, and will get you ready for study at BU at the appropriate level.
You can also find further details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our postgraduate entry requirements page.
How to apply
Click the green ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page and complete the online application form. You can find further guidance about applying for a postgraduate research degree in our Postgraduate Research section.
The closing date for applications 27 September 2024.
Careers
A research degree can open new career opportunities in commercial research and development, consultancy, or could lead you to starting your own business. You may alternatively consider a career in academia. You may wish to undertake research to contribute to your knowledge of a specialist subject, or develop your employability by enhancing your skills in project management and analysis.