Snow-albedo climate feedbacks in boreal forests (RDF17/GEO/RUTTER)

Albedo, the reflectivity of the earth’s surface to incoming energy from the sun, is strongly increased by the presence of snow. The snow-albedo feedback (SAF: reduced snow cover, resulting in increased energy absorption, leading to land surface warming, leading to greater reduction of snow cover) is a critical source of uncertainty in the earth’s net radiation budget, which is important to constrain in global climate models.

Much of the spread in SAF strength between climate models is caused through widely varying methods by which forests and snow-covered surfaces are defined, leading to unrepresentative values of surface albedo. In particular, the metrics by which the structures of different forests are defined in models (e.g. plant functional type, tree density, leaf area index) may not realistically represent spatial differences within boreal forests, nor adequately capture their sub-grid variability. As boreal forest structure strongly influences the overall reflectivity, shading and absorption of the sun’s energy, more detailed land cover maps of forest density and species as well as better process-based relationships between forest structure metrics and albedo are required to reduce model spread in SAF strength.

To accomplish this objective, the PhD student will utilize a suite of geospatial data to quantify the influence of boreal forest structure on variability of SAF in boreal regions, and also to assess representation of key related variables in climate models. The project will involve using satellite observations and atmospheric reanalysis data to characterise the influence of forest type and forest density on SAF strength and the rate and timing of snowmelt across the boreal biome. Identification of spatial patterns of SAF, along with the underlying causes through examination of variables related to surface energy dynamics, will provide information that can be used to improve climate model representation of snow-vegetation-climate interactions.

Eligibility and How to Apply
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required (evidence required by 1 August 2017).

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.
Deadline for applications: 20 January 2017
Start Date: 2 October 2017

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.