In recent decades Eurasian otter Lutra lutra populations showed strong recovery from near catastrophic population decline during the 1950s-70s, but the latest National Survey in Wales highlights a worrying downturn across Wales (Kean and Chadwick, 2021). On the River Usk SAC (Special Area of Conservation), the latest survey shows a significant decline in otter signs, from 90% in 2009-10 to 66% in 2015-17. Otters are one of seven species that are a primary reason for the designation of the Usk as an SAC, and it is considered one of the best places in the UK for otters. Otters are a charismatic and much loved mammal, and are ideal for attracting interest and engagement in environmental monitoring and conservation. They are top of the freshwater food chain so likely to be indicative of, and vulnerable to, impacts on the wider ecosystem.
Reasons for the decline are unclear, and a steering group of experts (including lead supervisor Chadwick, and project partner NRW) have identified a number of important actions that are needed to understand the risks to otter populations in Wales. One action is to develop an ‘indicator catchment’ where monitoring more intensive than national surveys (which are only undertaken approx. every 7 years) can be used, to trial new methods, and gain a deeper understanding of otter population health, behaviour and population density. The Usk runs through a range of habitats, and is subject to a number of modifications (e.g. dams) and other anthropogenic impacts (e.g. agricultural pollution) which provide a range of potential ‘natural experiments’. In addition, it has been selected by the CaSTCo (Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative) partnership as a ‘demonstration catchment’ for in depth environmental monitoring relating to the health of rivers. This PhD provides a unique opportunity to combine simultaneous monitoring of otter populations, with wider environmental monitoring on the Usk, in partnership with CaSTCo, the Wye Usk Foundation, and Natural Resources Wales, thus delivering these applied conservation goals, while also undertaking novel and exciting research.
Project Aims and Methods
Observation of otter spraint is widely used as a survey methodology, and allows the surveyor to map otter presence. However, spraint provides no immediate information on otter identity – without which it is impossible to estimate numbers, identify individual movements, or gauge population demographics. Such detailed information about individual otters and their movements is largely lacking from the scientific literature, but is a vital component of evidence based conservation. The PhD student will work with citizen scientists and professionals to help design an appropriate monitoring programme that will allow us to address two key otter conservation goals: (i) to test and validate non-invasive survey methods for the otter, in a range of contrasting habitats, and (ii) to answer key questions about otter behaviour and demographics. Otter spraint will be characterised using both DNA and hormone extracts (e.g. Kalz et al 2006, Mumma et al 2015), allowing us to identify and thereby count individuals (i.e. discriminating between multiple spraint deposited by one otter, v. multiple spraint from multiple otters), and to identify sex, pregnancy, and maturity. ‘Recapture’ on subsequent surveys will be used to quantify individual range and dispersal. Through application of these complementary analytical methods, the student will: (i) estimate population size, (ii) estimate and compare range sizes, (iii) estimate the proportion (and identify the location) of pregnant females. Together these data will be used to test hypotheses describing how population demographic data and distribution reflect environmental and landscape data (collected by the student and through the wider CaSTCo programme/ held by partners the WUF and NRW).
Co-Supervisor: Prof Robbie McDonald, Exeter University, Environment and Sustainability Institute.
Project Enquiries: [Email Address Removed]
Candidate requirements
The PhD will provide training, so candidate requirements are flexible. Skills/interest in field ecology, molecular ecology and/or statistical modelling are desirable.
Project partners
The project partnership brings together the Cardiff University Otter Project (Dr Chadwick and Dr Hailer), Exeter University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (Prof R McDonald), Natural Resources Wales freshwater and mammalian teams, the Wye Usk Foundation, and the CaSTCo (Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative) partnership. This is an exciting opportunity to work in applied conservation of an iconic native species, in partnership with the leading organisations and individuals in the field of otter conservation and freshwater management.
Training
Training will be provided in otter field survey, as well as in lab methods including molecular ecology, hormone analysis, statistical modelling and digital mapping using GIS. Overseas opportunities will be provided in collaboration with the IUCN Otter Specialist Group, and the student will be encouraged to attend the next international otter congress and other relevant opportunities nationally and internationally.
How to apply
For information on how to apply for postgraduate study at Cardiff University, please follow this link: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md When applying, please ensure that you include on the Cardiff application form the project title you are applying for, the supervisor and note ‘NERC DTP’ under the source of funding.
The application deadline is Monday 9 January 2023 at 2359 GMT. Interviews will take place from 22nd February to 8 March 2023. For more information about the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership please visit https://www.nercgw4plus.ac.uk.
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