Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
About the Project
Reference number: SCEBE/21SF/009/AO
Aim and Scope
The ability of forest ecosystems to store carbon (C; e.g. CO2) above and belowground makes afforestation one of the leading measures to fight climate change. Atmospheric CO2 is trapped in the vegetation and then stored in the forest soil, from where it cycles back to the atmosphere as a result of soil respiration (SR). SR is a complex soil microbial process depending on the soil properties and composition, hydro-climatic conditions, and vegetation type. The succession of drying and wetting hydrological cycles within the forest soil seems to trigger “hot-spots” and “hot-moments” of SR, by which large amounts of CO2 are released from the soil. Over 50 % of this CO2 may be released in dissolved form, entering the soil solution and, thus, being potentially lost through soil percolation and then transported to other environmental compartments. Yet, the latter component of the C cycle has been largely neglected, leading to systematic underestimations of SR and to an inaccurate account on the contribution of forest ecosystems to mitigating climate change.
The aims of the project are to:
• Explore the combination of biological, edaphological, and climatic factors regulating Soil Respiration
• Investigate plant traits contributing to the formation of “hot-spots” and “hot-moments” of soil respiration
• Quantify C leakage through soil percolation
• Build numerical models able to describe and predict C leakage in forest soils under different climate scenarios
• Disseminate the project outcomes to relevant stakeholders
The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate understanding of ecosystems functioning and biogeochemical and hydrological cycles. Expertise in undertaking field and laboratory work is desirable. A good grasp of statistical methods and tools, such as R, is preferable. Effective oral and written communication skills are mandatory. Full driving licence is desirable.
Candidates are invited to submit a more detailed research proposal (of a maximum of 2000 words) on the project area as part of their application.
To apply for the project, please use the links below
· As a full-time student: https://evision.prod.gcu.tribalsits.com/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=D27BLTENVFT&code2=0006
· As a part-time student: https://evision.prod.gcu.tribalsits.com/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=D27BLTENVPT&code2=0006
Funding Notes
See more on fees and funding. View Website
References
Director of Studies
Name: Dr Alejandro Gonzalez Ollauri
Email: alejandro.ollauri@gcu.ac.uk
GCU Research Online URL: (essential) https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/persons/alejandro-gonzalez-ollauri
2nd Supervisor Name: Prof Slobodan B. Mickovski
Email: Slobodan.mickovski@gcu.ac.uk
GCU Research Online URL: (essential) https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/persons/slobodan-mickovski
3rd Supervisor Name: Prof Rohinton Emmanuel
Email: Rohinton.Emmanuel@gcu.ac.uk
GCU Research Online URL: (essential) https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/persons/rohinton-emmanuel
Email Now
Why not add a message here
The information you submit to Glasgow Caledonian University will only be used by them or their data partners to deal with your enquiry, according to their privacy notice. For more information on how we use and store your data, please read our privacy statement.

Search suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Glasgow, United Kingdom
Check out our other PhDs in United Kingdom
Start a New search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs

PhD suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Understanding Life in the Freezer: locomotor performance as the key to understanding the possible influences of climate change in high Arctic species
The University of Manchester
Impact of Holocene land use and climate change upon Brazil’s Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot.
University of Reading
Climate change & ecosystem health: Microbial interactions and its impact on methane flux in lake ecosystems
Queen’s University Belfast