Oak decline in the UK, utilising dendrochronology methods to identify predisposing factors

Decline diseases are highly complex disease syndromes involving multiple biotic and abiotic factors. Britain’s native oak species are suffering attack from two different forms of decline; Acute Oak Decline (AOD) and Chronic Oak Decline (COD) The two decline syndromes have differing associated causal agents and occur on different parts of the tree such that it is possible that both occur simultaneously, and that presence of the one may make the host more vulnerable to infection by the other.

Dendrochronolgy (measurement of ring width, density and stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in tree rings) will be used to obtain empirical evidence of historical ecophysiological effects that have influenced tree development. A suite of dendrochronological and dendroclimatological proxies will be developed, in affected and control trees for various sites in southern England, and will be analysed to try and identify predisposing factors.

The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers and assist with Forest Research’s (FR) current research projects relating to AOD and COD. The post will involve travelling to various locations throughout GB and candidates will need to hold a valid UK driving licence and be prepared to stay away overnight when necessary. The student will work with Dr. Mary Gagen, Department of Geographic sciences, Swansea University in collaboration with Dr. Sandra Denman (FR). The project will form part of a wider programme of research on Oak Decline and, as such, a positive attitude to teamwork and collaboration is essential. As part of a larger research team the student may need to contribute to team targets in addition to the core work of their research degree.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate an understanding of plant pathology, entomology and tree diseases and have experience of dendrochronology.

The studentship covers the cost of fees and provides a stipend of £10,130 per year. An initial two year’s of funding has been secured and the student will initially be registered for an MPhil and will transfer to a PhD at year three, subject to the student’s progression and subject to funding.