Supervisors:
Dr David Jacoby (Lancaster Environment Centre)
Dr Adam Piper (Zoological Society of London)
Dr Stephen Thackeray (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)
Project Description:
The ways in which animals interact are fundamentally influenced by both their social tendencies and how they interact with their environment (i.e. their space use). Behavioural variation within a population, that can determine both ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as influence how we might conserve threatened species, must therefore be considered in light of this spatial-social interface.
This project takes advantage of a burgeoning research field and newly developed tools, to understand the associations, aggregation behaviour and conservation implications of wild Critically Endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) behaviour, a species for which we know very little about their sociality. Applying network analysis to long-term, high-resolution acoustic telemetry data from eel tracking inside a reservoir, the study aims to combine movement analytics with data on the timing, location and intensity of aggregations, as well as the environmental correlates of behaviour. It will explore the predictability and drivers of social behaviour within this enigmatic, heavily threatened and commercially important species, providing fundamental information on the ecology and population dynamics of eels in freshwater bodies. It will directly inform eel protection and conservation strategies (e.g. Trap and Transport) designed to maximise the escapement and reproductive potential of adult European eels.
This study will complement a wider project working with stakeholders at DEFRA and the Environment Agency, and will involve regular fieldwork to tag eels, retrieve data and maintain an active acoustic tracking array. Specifically, the study aims to address the following key questions: 1) What constitutes an eel aggregation, when controlling for spatial preferences? 2) Are environmental or social factors better predictors of population dynamics and behaviour (or a combination of the two)? 3) Can we predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of eel aggregations? and 4) How do water management strategies (inflow/outflow regimes) impact the network structure of the population?
The successful applicant will work closely with the NETLab to develop suitable network analytics that inform both ecology and conservation, with the Fish Movement Ecology Group to learn the application of high-res telemetry to study the movements of aquatic organisms, and the UKCEH Lake Ecosystems Group to explore the environmental stressors on this aquatic ecosystem. This project will feed into an ongoing project that directly links ecology, conservation and policy and there will be opportunities to be involved in all these aspects during the course of the PhD.
General eligibility criteria
Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. 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 particularly 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
We are looking for a motivated, curious and ambitious student to work with us on this research project. This research would suit candidates with a background in (computational) ecology, animal behaviour, network analysis and applied conservation. While a strong desire to learn new techniques will be important, skills in these broad background areas will be an advantage but not a requirement for this position. The successful applicant will be willing to undertake semi-regular fieldwork in the East of England. Professional development opportunities will be provided by experts in aquatic telemetry, lake monitoring and movement ecology from Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the Zoological Society of London, as well as numerous opportunities to engage with project stakeholders around eel conservation and management issues.
Studentship funding
Full studentships (UK tuition fees and stipend (£16,062 2022/23 [tax free])) for UK students for 3.5 years.
The CASE partner for the project will be the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), where co-supervisor Dr Adam Piper is based. ZSL will provide co-funding to the amount of £5000 towards the project.
Enquiries
Interested applicants are welcome to get in touch to learn more about the PhD project. Please contact Dr David Jacoby ([Email Address Removed]) for more information.
Dates
Deadline for applications: 28th August 2023
Provisional Interview Date: to be confirmed
Start Date: 1st October 2023
Further reading
Jacoby, DMP & Freeman, R (2016) Emerging Network-Based Tools in Movement Ecology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 31, 301-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.01.011
Sosa, S, Jacoby, DMP, Lihoreau, M & Sueur, C (2021) Animal social networks : Towards an integrative framework embedding social interactions , space and time. Methods in Ecology & Evolution. 2021, 4–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13539
Webber, QMR, Albery, GF. Farine, DR, Pinter-Wollman, N, Sharma, N, Spiegel, O, Vander Wal, E and Manlove, K (2023), Behavioural ecology at the spatial–social interface. Biological Reviews, 98: 868-886. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12934
Jacoby, DMP et al. (2015) Synergistic patterns of threat and the challenges facing global anguillid eel conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation 4, 321–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2015.07.009
Williamson, MJ, Jacoby, DMP & Piper, AT. (2023) The drivers of anguillid eel movement in lentic water bodies: a systematic map. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-022-09751-6
Piper, AT, Svendsen, JC, Wright, RM and Kemp, PS (2017), Movement patterns of seaward migrating European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at a complex of riverine barriers: implications for conservation. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 26: 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12257
To apply please visit https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/graduate-school/phd/phd-opportunities/
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