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  Managing limestone pavements for plants and invertebrates


   Lancaster Environment Centre

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  Prof Carly Stevens, Dr A Wilby  No more applications being accepted  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

About the Project

Project description: Limestone pavements are vitally important for nature conservation supporting a range of rare plants and invertebrates. They are a UK priority habitat and many sites are protected. However, limestone pavements have received very little research attention. This means that decisions regarding management, conservation and restoration are currently being made without any evidence base. Under-grazing is recognised across Europe as the largest threat to limestone pavements. Working closely with Butterfly Conservation, this project will investigate the impact of under-grazing on the plant and invertebrate communities occupying British pavements and establish methods for restoration where tree and shrub cover has become too high. The successful applicant will be part of the friendly Ecology and Conservation research group working alongside other PhD students working on similar topics. Through a newly established partnership you will get the opportunity to interact with and present your work to a wide range of conservation organisations.

 

General eligibility criteria: Enthusiasm, self-motivation, resilience, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD candidate. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.

Project specific criteria: The ideal candidate will have an interest in plant and invertebrate ecology as well as enthusiasm for practical conservation. A driving licence would be useful.

Studentship funding: A tax-free stipend will be paid at the standard UKRI rate; £18,622 in 2023/24. This is a fully funded studentship of 3.5 years for UK/Home students.

Enquiries: Interested applicants are welcome to get in touch to learn more about the PhD project. Please contact Carly Stevens [Email Address Removed] for more information.

Dates

Deadline for applications: 18th February 2024

Provisional Interview Date: Feb-Mar 2024

Start Date: October 2024

To apply, please visit https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/graduate-school/phd/phd-opportunities/#managing-limestone-pavements-for-plants-and-invertebrates-371066-1

Biological Sciences (4)

References

Ward, S. D. & Evans, D. F. (1976) Conservation assessment of British limestone pavements based on floristic criteria. Biological Conservation, 9, 217-233.
Silvertown, J. W. (1983) The distribution of plants in limestone pavement: tests of species interaction and niche separation against null hypotheses. Journal of Ecology, 71, 819-828.

 About the Project