KESS II Funded PhD Studentship: De-risking the role of ports as habitat for non-native invasive species

*This scholarship is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.*

Swansea University is a UK top 30 institution for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014), and has been named Welsh University of the Year 2017 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are defined as species whose introduction and spread outside their natural ecological range poses a real threat to biodiversity and the economy. There are about 1000 aquatic marine non-native species in Europe.

Coastal and marine infrastructures such as harbour walls, marinas or coastal defence structures are vulnerable to colonisation by marine invasive species. Particularly in areas of sandy coasts anthropogenic hard structures can be used as stepping stones by invasive species to extend their distribution. Several invasive species have caused profound economic and ecological damage affecting fisheries, aquaculture and shipping.

This project is supported by the company Associated British Ports (ABPs). The purpose of the research is to assess the role of five ports in South Wales as habitat for invasive species. The research will focus on the current state of the ports of Swansea, Port Talbot, Barry, Cardiff and Newport. The student will study the colonisation of the ports with non-native species and compare the anthropogenic infrastructure with natural hard substratum such as rocky shores. This will allow drawing conclusions if the man-made structures favour or supress the colonisation of invasive species.

The ports are located along environmental gradients from the outer to the inner Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary, and the research will establish the relationship between the prevalence of invasive species and varying salinity and suspended sediments. Further, mechanisms of colonisation and dispersal of invasive species will be studied and the interaction of invasive with native species. Dispersal processes could be a natural process through currents and waves, but for ports sediment dredging and the deposition of spoils in off-shore areas also needs to be considered.

The studies will inform ABP about the risk associated with non-native species and future biosecurity management needs. The nature and prevalence of the colonisation will guide the development of methods to mitigate the spread of invasive species. The research will contribute to limit negative impacts by INNS on the coastal ecosystem, inform policy on biosecurity and contribute to the containment of marine invasive species.

Scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners including SME’s and micro companies, as well as public and third sector organisations. The scholarship provides 3 years of funding with a 6 month period to complete the thesis. The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 60 credit award.

Eligibility:

Candidates should have a 2.1 or above in their undergraduate degree in Marine Biology or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree is highly preferable. Relevant work or research experience is also highly desirable. They should also be eligible for UK/EU Fees.