Dr P Dennis
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
A full project description and further information can be found at http://kess2.ac.uk/au30010/
Honeybees and wild pollinators provide a vital ecosystem role. Within the UK, the crop pollination service provided by insect pollinators contributes £440m to the economy. Despite their importance, honeybees and wild pollinators are facing declines due to habitat loss; agricultural intensification, pests, disease and climate change. Among the multiple pressures facing pollinators, decreasing floral resources has been suggested as a key contributing factor. Access to suitable plants for foraging is therefore a key consideration for pollinators. The conservation of suitable native habitats is of primary importance but these can be supplemented with plantings that aim to support pollinators.
This project will create and test seed mixes and plants for their ability to attract pollinating insects concentrating on honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies and Lepidoptera.
The following approaches will be taken.
1. Data will be collected from the scientific literature on plant-pollinator interactions in the UK and Europe. Data will also be obtained from National Botanic Garden of Wales led research that uses DNA metabarcoding to identify plants used by pollinators throughout the year. This will be combined with plant ecological and horticultural information to determine plants suitable for growing in gardens, amenity areas and agricultural habitats.
2. Experimental seed mixes will be developed and compared with commercially available seed mixes. Seed mixes will be created for annual and perennial plants covering specific pollinator groups. Different mixes will be tested for use in gardens, amenity areas and agricultural systems. Seed mixes will be tested at a range of field sites throughout Wales including the Botanic Garden, Waun Las NNR and Aberystwyth University sites.
3. Planting schemes will be developed for herbaceous and woody plants and tested against existing ‘plants-for-pollinators’ lists. This will concentrate on plants used within gardens and amenity areas and will be tested within trial sites at the Botanic Garden.
4. Seed mixes and planting schemes will be assessed for:
a) Attractiveness to insects by quantifying insect visitation to flowers.
b) Nutritional value by assessing pollen and nectar characteristics.
c) Length of flowering and phenological progression to assess for how long the floral resource is available.
d) Amenity value and horticultural merit using plant observations and public evaluation.
The successful candidate will need to be resident in the convergence area on registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification. The successful applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship by 1st October 2017. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS 2 PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need to only apply, they do not need to search for partners).
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 28th July 2017.
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
2. A completed KESS 2 Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30010 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS 2 application forms are available to download at the link below.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/staff-students/knowledge-economy-skills-scholarships/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/
3. A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Informal enquiries should be made to Natasha de Vere at [Email Address Removed] or Peter Dennis at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 621629
Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB
Quote Reference AU30010
Funding Notes
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Due to ESF funding, eligibility restrictions apply to this scholarship. To be eligible, the successful candidate will need to be resident in the Convergence Area of Wales on University registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
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