Unravelling methane capture in forests (PhD in Environmental Science)

Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas, globally responsible for 17% of current radiative forcing. Soils can be important net sources or sinks of CH4 depending on the net balance of two contrasting microbial processes - CH4 production and CH4 oxidation. Unsaturated soils in which the latter, aerobic process dominates form the only global terrestrial CH4 sink, but estimates are still highly uncertain, both spatially and temporally. Further, whilst forest soils have shown some of the strongest net CH4 uptake rates, this is not consistent across sites. Our lack of understanding of what controls these site differences is due to limitations in CH4 flux measurement technology and the confounding issue that soil CH4 oxidation and production in soils often co-occur. This ‘cutting edge’ research project will help inform forest management on how to maintain or promote this globally important forest CH4 sink by:

1) unraveling the contrasting processes which lead to net CH4 uptake in managed UK and European forest soils

2) identifying what factors promote an effective forest soil CH4 sink

What’s in it for you?

This project will involve field work at a range of contrasting UK and European forest sites in combination with targeted lab experiments using state-of-the-art greenhouse gas analysis systems to determine the potential of UK forest soils to take up CH4, to partition CH4 fluxes, and then link the fluxes to abiotic and biotic drivers.

You will be part of an experienced, dynamic and complementary research team at the University of York, CEH-Lancaster and Forest Research who are at the forefront of research on greenhouse gas emissions, stable isotope approaches and microbial techniques.

This studentship will provide you with excellent training and guidance in experimental design, gas flux measurements with greenhouse gas analysis systems in the field and the lab and analysis of large datasets, and may also include microbial approaches, depending on your specific interests. Forest Research is CASE partner on this project, and will provide host study periods giving you a unique insight in their organisation, and valuable forestry and field site expertise and support.