We are currently in the midst of a global biodiversity extinction crisis, with extinction rates potentially hundreds of times higher than historic background rates. As such, developing a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of biodiversity loss is of paramount importance. While the role that habitat loss and deforestation play in driving extinctions is well known, the impacts of forest degradation on biodiversity is a considerable research gap. This is despite forest degradation – which can be defined as the loss of forest biomass within a relatively intact canopy – affecting a larger area than deforestation (i.e. the conversion of forest into different land-uses) in certain regions (e.g. Amazonia).
This project will combine state-of-the-art remote sensing products with a large global dataset of different taxonomic groups (e.g. plants, birds, mammals, reptiles) sampled through time in hundreds of different forest plots. Using these data, the project will show how different dimensions of biodiversity (including functional diversity – the range of life histories and traits encompassed by a set of species, and phylogenetic diversity – the amount of evolutionary history) have changed through time as a result of forest degradation.
The current COVID-19 situation also provides us with the unique opportunity to assess the impacts of fine-scale degradation drivers, such as illegal hunting and selective logging, on biodiversity by comparing survey data from before and after lockdowns in different countries. National lockdowns may have reduced certain degradation drivers through reducing the number of people undertaking illegal activities, or they may have increased them through reduced enforcement. This project will provide the first test of these different hypotheses.
Overall, the project will generate new knowledge improving our understanding of forest degradation and its impacts. The results will have implications for the fields of biodiversity management, conservation, climate science and environmental policy; ultimately contributing towards increasing forest resilience against a backdrop of future global environmental change.
How to apply
Applications need to be submitted via the University of Birmingham postgraduate portal by midnight on 11.01.2021. Please first check whether the primary supervisor is within Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or in Biosciences, and click on the corresponding PhD program on the application page.
This application should include
• a brief cover letter, CV, and the contact details for at least two referees
• a CENTA application form
• the supervisor and title of the project you are applying for under the Research Information section of the application form.
Referee’s will be invited to submit their references once you submit your application, but we strongly encourage applicants to ensure referees are aware of your submission and expecting a reference request from us. Students are also encouraged to visit and explore the additional information available on the CENTA website.
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