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Wildfires are a prominent disturbance factor in most vegetation zones throughout the world. Their frequency and severity is increasing in many regions due to changes in land use and climate (Shakesby & Doerr 2006). Fire can profoundly affect the quantity, quality and distribution of soil carbon through volatilization, condensation, pyrolysis and combustion. They affect the balance and resilience of carbon in soil, as well as soil fertility, structure and hydrological properties. Gaining knowledge of fire effects on soil carbon dynamics ranks very high on the environmental research agenda given that more carbon is stored in the world’s soils than, for example, in aboveground biomass (Neary et al. 1999; Doerr et al. 2005).
The aim of this project is to determine the effects of vegetation fire on the carbon storage and physico-chemical properties of soils. Samples are already available from the tragic 2009 ‘Black Saturday’ wildfires in Australia and maybe supplemented by samples from burned sites in the UK, Portugal, Spain or Canada. Specific analytical methods could include, amongst others, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, extraction of soil organic matter and characterisation by Gas-Chromatography (GC), and Pyrolysis-Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS). This project will be challenging in experimental terms and is also expected to involve fieldwork in rugged forest terrain.
Applicant requirements
The successful candidate will possess (as a minimum) a BSc/BA (Hons) degree class 2(i) in Geography, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Chemistry or a related discipline, should be able to work well within a team and is expected to present at international conferences. For further details, please contact: s.doerr@swansea.ac.uk or r.a.shakesby@swansea.ac.uk
How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit the following documentation by the deadline:
A completed application form for admission to a PhD in Geography – submitted via the online admissions portal: Apply (Please specify a PhD in Geography with NERC funding and project title)
Applicants should use the ‘Additional Supporting Information’ section of the application form to explain why the nominated award they have chosen particularly appeals to them and how they would choose to develop it
Academic References – all admissions applications require two references to be submitted in support. Please ensure that your chosen referees are aware of the funding deadline, as we will be using these to help us evaluate your NERC studentship application
Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application by the funding deadline. We will be using these to verify your academic qualifications.
Funding Notes:
This project is eligible for competitive funding through fully-funded NERC studentships awarded to the Department. The studentship covers UK tuition fees plus a stipend. The stipend for 2011/2012 was £13,590. (These are open to candidates who have been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period preceding the date of application). Other funding opportunities may be available and self-funded students are always welcome. Contact your potential supervisor for advice and details of how to apply.
References:
Doerr S.H. & Cerdà, A. (2005) Fire effects on soil system functioning: new insights and future challenges. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 14(4), 339-342.
Neary, D.G., Klopatek, C.C., DeBano, L.F., Ffolliott, P.F. (1999) Fire effects on belowground sustainability: a review and synthesis. Forest Ecology and Management 122, 51-71.
Shakesby, R.A., Doerr, S.H. (2006) Wildfire as a hydrological and geomorphological agent. Earth-Science Reviews, 74, 269-307.