Effects of forest diversity on aquatic-terrestrial linkages and processes at Royal Holloway, University of London on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Prof J Koricheva Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Egham United Kingdom Biodiversity Ecology Zoology

About the Project

Tree species, functional and genetic diversity is known to mediate ecosystem processes and functioning of the forest ecosystems. However, natural ecosystems are connected to each other through the flow of species, energy and elements. This project will explore to what extent tree diversity affects linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by using aquatic microcosms installed within a long-term forest diversity experiment in Finland (www.sataforestdiversity.org) and potentially other forest diversity experiments within TreeDivNet platform (www.treedivnet.ugent.be) in the UK and abroad. Aquatic microcosms containing community-specific leaf litter will be exposed in forest stands composed of different tree species and genotypes and effects of tree species richness, composition, functional diversity and genetic diversity on a variety of water and aquatic diversity parameters will be assessed. The project will be co-supervised by Prof. Julia Koricheva (RHUL) who has expertise in studying effects of forest diversity on ecosystem functioning and Dr. Pavel Kratina (QMUL) who is an expert in aquatic food web ecology and cross-ecosystem subsidies. The project offers a prospective PhD student an opportunity to develop skills in experimental design, field work, statistical analysis and both forest and aquatic ecology.

This PhD project will be supervised jointly by:

1. Prof. Julia Koricheva, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London

2. Dr Pavel Kratina, Queen Mary University of London

References

Greig H.S, Kratina P., Thompson P., Palen W.J., Richardson J.S. and Shurin J.B. 2012. Warming, eutrophication, and predator loss amplify subsidies between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Global Change Biology 18, 504–514
Gessner MO, Swan CM, Dang CK, McKie BG, Bardgett RD, Wall DH, Hattenschwiler S. 2010. Diversity meets decomposition. Trends Ecol Evol 25:372-80

How good is research at Royal Holloway, University of London in Biological Sciences?

Research output data provided by the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Click here to see the results for all UK universities

Where will I study?

Royal Holloway, University of London

It was founded by two social reformers who pioneered the ideal of education and knowledge for all who could benefit. We are an innovative and forward-looking university, acknowledged worldwide for cutting-edge research and excellent teaching, while our students thrive as part of a close-knit and supportive community.

We’ve won a FindAMasters and FindAPhD Postgrad Award!

As a previous winner of a Postgrad Award, our university community has been recognised for their excellence in, and dedication to, postgraduate education. Studying with us means you’ll be part of a supportive environment that has been celebrated for its achievements and positive impact on our postgraduate students.

Find out more