*NERC E3* Assessing the impact of climate-mediated mismatch on blue tits

Interested individuals must follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 at this link on how to apply
http://www.ed.ac.uk/biology/prospective-students/postgraduate/pgr/how-to-apply

As spring temperatures increase many temperate species have advanced their phenology via phenotypic plasticity. However, as different species may respond to subtly different cues and vary in the steepness of their plastic response, not all species are responding at the same rate. For instance, there is strong evidence that secondary consumer species are advancing their phenology by less than the primary consumers and primary producers down the food chain [1]. Less well evidenced in comparison are the impacts of such trophic mismatch on fitness [2].

This project extends the widely studied food chain from tree -> caterpillar -> tit into a spatially replicated study system that spans several woodland types. The advantages of spatial replication are two-fold. First, replication of sites of a particular woodland composition across temperatures can be used to infer how species interactions and blue tit fitness may respond to changing spring temperatures in the long-term [3]. Second, replication of different woodland types allows us to examine whether the impacts of mismatch on tit fitness that have been identified in oak-dominated woodlands [4] apply equally in the other woodland types used by these generalist species.

Key Research Questions:
1. What is the impact of mismatch versus food abundance on nestling fitness?
2. Does the impact of mismatch on fitness vary among woodland types?
3. How well does plasticity allow populations to track geographic variation in optimum conditions?

Training: A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. The successful student will obtain key project specific scientific training in the following areas (comprising conceptual understanding and use of specialist softwares): GIS, remote sensing, meta-analysis, phylogenetic analysis, statistical mixed modelling.

Requirements:
1. A first class undergraduate degree or MSc in ecology or evolution is desirable, and you will need to have an aptitude for statistics.
2. Driving license essential
3. Bird handling and ringing experience, with a BTO C or A permit an advantage.
Willingness to work long hours with few days off (2 days in 10) during the field seasons, and to drive for approximately 100 miles per day.