The deadline for all applications is 10 January 2019, with a start date of Sept/Oct 2019 . Applications are now open for the Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Doctoral Training Partnership (E4 DTP).PhD ProjectsTitleSummarySupervisors (click on link for main contact)The role of trust in conserving biodiversity and reducing conservation conflict, a case study in Nepal This project examines the role of trust in biodiversity conservation and how trust can be promoted to reduce conservation conflict, through a case-study with National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal.Dr Sam Staddon, University of EdinburghDr Aidan Keane, University of EdinburghProf. Steve Redpath, Aberdeen UniversityRewilding the “great wood of Caledon”: using remote sensing to understand natural forest regeneration in ScotlandHow best can remote sensing support reforesting and rewilding in Scotland?Dr Casey Ryan, University of EdinburghDr Aidan Keane, University of EdinburghProf Jaboury Ghazoul, University of Edinburgh Wood fuel transitions and their impact on tropical ecosystemsWhat effect will changing demand for wood fuels have on the ecology of tropical forests and savannas?Dr Casey Ryan, University of EdinburghDr Dan van der Horst, University of EdinburghUnexplored Transitions between Forest and Savanna in AfricaThe student will combine inventory data from forests and savannas in Africa, while filling crucial sampling gaps with fieldwork, to identify the conditions under which forest transitions to savanna.Dr Kyle Dexter, University of EdinburghDavid Harris, Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghDr Casey Ryan, University of EdinburghImproving Agroforestry in Latin America with the Versatile Tree Genus IngaThe student will contribute to a funded project using experimental and observational approaches to determine the best Inga species for agroforestry, while developing their own projects on specific species of Inga.Dr Kyle Dexter, University of EdinburghToby Pennington, Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghCreating an index of crop-farming traits to assess the biodiversity footprint of foods: what is the biodiversity impact of your breakfast?This multidisciplinary project will generate new indices to measure the biodiversity impact of specific crops and cropping techniques to enable the individuals to compare the biodiversity footprints of different foods.Dr Alfy Gathorne-Hardy, University of EdinburghThe Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University (CAWR); The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, HampshireHow to design and implement a National Ecological Network that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals?By co-designing and testing approaches to implement ecological networks delivering multiple societal benefits, this PhD project advances key areas of science and the development of a Scottish national ecological network.Dr Marc Metzger, University of EdinburghJames Hutton Institute, Forest Research, Scottish Wildlife TrustTesting the drivers of Arctic tundra biodiversity and phenology changeThis PhD project will test the drivers of plant biodiversity, phenology and trait change in Arctic tundra ecosystems using data collected from drones, time-lapse photography and ecological monitoring.Dr Isla Myers-Smith, University of EdinburghUoE School of Biological Sciences,; Dartmouth College, USA; Aarhus University, DenmarkForest nitrogen dynamics in a changing climate how does the wood-wide-web recycle organic nitrogen?This project aims to understand the role of organic nitrogen in forest ecosystems, linking plant-derived nitrogen to key microbial processes in soils. The research will inform our understanding of forest ecosystem responses to environmental change, nitrogen pollution and forest managementDr Lorna Street, University of EdinburghForest Research, UoE Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies / GAAFS, UoE GAAFSThe physics of permafrost soils: modelling thaw and the carbon cycleThis PhD project will advance our understanding of permafrost thaw and the potential feedbacks between carbon storage in permafrost soils and global climate change.Dr Lorna Street, University of EdinburghProf Mathew Williams, University of EdinburghProf Richard Essery, University of EdinburghDiagnosing and forecasting human impacts on tropical forestsThis project will probe the biophysical and social factors that are linked to changes in forest states across the tropics. Knowledge of these factors will help to guide sustainable management of forests and identify where and when forest change are likely to occur.Prof Mathew Williams, University of EdinburghDr Steven Hancock, University of EdinburghDr Mark Naylor, University of EdinburghGlobal change effects on boreal forests: how will boreal ecosystems respond to climate warming?This project will test whether boreal latitudes are undergoing tipping point transitions that restructure ecosystems due to warming and feedbacks between nutrient cycling and vegetation.Prof Mathew Williams, University of EdinburghDr Lorna Street, University of EdinburghDr Isla Myers-Smith, University of EdinburghUsing a new generation of lidar and radar satellites to improve snow in weather and climate modelsA map of vegetation structure will be made from a new generation of lidar and radar satellites. Accurate vegetation structure maps are essential to drive the snow models used in weather and climate forecasting.Dr Steven Hancock, University of EdinburghProf Richard Essery, University of EdinburghDr Noel Gourmelen, University of Edinburgh This article was published on Thursday 27 October 2022
