Modelling and analysis of dynamic ecological boundaries of sacred forests in Epirus, Greece

Background. Sacred groves exist all over the world as places of cultural and symbolic significance which were managed differently to secular (or ‘working’) forests. Such groves often consist of trees of greater age and high biodiversity value. Many sacred groves are found in the mountains of Epirus in western Greece, having persisted for hundreds of years associated with churches and chapels. Management regimes varied over time along with socio-economic and institutional changes and so did the groves’ boundaries. With the modern age came local depopulation and widespread abandonment of farming activity. The resulting secondary succession has led to the return of forest cover over much of the landscape. The sacred groves have often been subsumed or lost. Yet, on closer inspection, there are clearly discernable ecological differences between these old forest patches and the secondary forest matrix.

Our aim is to understand the conservation value of these groves, both in terms of the biological diversity within the groves themselves, and their impact on the wider landscape. But where are their boundaries? This is a vexed issue for describing both historical management and current ecological function. We know that the boundaries were created by cultural restrictions interacting with environmental constraints, which has led to their change over time. Current forest dynamics are therefore a complex combination of historical legacy and active ecological processes. Many important questions remain to be solved regarding the dynamics of ecological boundaries.

Research. The project will develop a model of the dynamic ecological boundaries of applicable to sacred groves. Boundaries arise as a balance between conflicting forces: ecological expansion, environmental variability and human intervention. They are important topic of current ecological research, especially the conceptualization of boundaries and the nature of the patches they separate. One of the foci of this study will be the exploration of alternative representations of forest patches. This may include fractal geometry, use of Bayesian models and modeling of boundaries as ecotones derived from dynamic processes. Boundaries also present the statistical challenge of inferring their properties from spatial sampling.

This work will develop pragmatic yet statistically rigorous sampling systems to collect the data required to parameterise these models of sacred grove boundaries. The field work will include survey of vegetation and tree populations and recording of tree traits including samples for a dendrochronological analysis to infer their age and past management. This work will be carried out in mountain terrain with the help of experts in the area. Other sources of data will include historical and contemporary remotely sensed images, and historical information of past management.

Institutional base. This is a key component of the new international, multi-institutional EU project “Thalis-SAGE: Conservation through religion - The sacred groves of Epirus”. This project combines research in quantitative landscape ecology with remote sensing, GIS, multi-taxa biodiversity monitoring and ethnographic and historical research. It brings together several multidisciplinary research teams including conservation biologists, landscape ecologists, cultural ecologists, statisticians, ecological modelers and social anthropologists. The project is based at Ioannina University, Greece, in the Laboratory of Theoretical Ecology, where the student will be registered. It will be co-supervised by Bangor University, Wales, UK (where the student will spend a proportion of their time).

The lead supervisor will be Professor John M. Halley (http://www.jmax.gr) with co-supervisors Professor John Healey (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/senrgy//staff/healey.php.en) and Dr Jenny Wong (http://www.bangor.ac.uk/senrgy//staff/wong.php.en).

Applicants should have an MSc or excellent bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. We particularly welcome applicants with a strong quantitative/mathematical background. As well as modeling, the project will involve considerable ecological fieldwork, and some experience in this area would be advantageous, although training and support will be available. This is an excellent opportunity for students of mathematics, engineering or other quantitative disciplines to transfer their skills to tackle a fundamental problem in ecology. Students must be fluent in English.

Applications should be directed to Dr. Nikos Monokrousos ([Email Address Removed], +30-26510-07904) in the first instance. All applications should make reference to THALIS-SAGE, should include a cover letter of not more than one page describing research interests and relevant experience, a current curriculum vitae and one letter of recommendation.