School of Geographical and Earth Sciences: Potential impact of climate change on the timing of phenology and geomorphology in biogeomorphic ecosystems

Time-sensitive biological interactions such as, pollination or predation become mismatched as global warming advances or delays the timing of life cycle events (i.e. phenology) differently across species. At the same time the magnitude and timing of extreme weather events and associated Earth surface processes such as flooding and sediment erosion are changing. Plant communities at the land-water interface such as riparian forests, tidal marshes and coastal dunes (see photos) are shaped by physical disturbance but are also able to influence the landscape formation by trapping and diverting sediments. Landscape formation in biogeomorhpic systems is therefore determined by reciprocal feedbacks between biotic and abiotic processes which can drive the future state of a system (Balke et al., 2014, Turnbull et al., 2008). Biogeomorphic ecosystems at land-water interfaces are currently praised for their regulating ecosystem services such as flood and erosion protection but are also a hotspot for invasive species. Understanding how ecological functioning of biogeomorphic ecosystems will be affected by changes in climatic extremes is thus timely and necessary. Surprisingly, we currently do not know whether changing timing of plant phenological events and changing temporal regimes of Earth surface processes will create a potential bio-physical mismatch affecting local biodiversity and landscape formation. This mismatch could for example occur where timing of seedling emergence shifts towards periods of high physical disturbance or vice versa. This IAPETUS PhD studentship will investigate temporal mismatch between phenology and Earth surface processes at a seasonal scale. The Window of Opportunity (WoO) concept, developed by Balke in 2014, is a valuable new tool to identify and predict tipping points in biogeomorphic ecosystems. This widely applicable concept is the central framework for this studentship and will help to quantify and predict any biophysical mismatch effects using readily available long term monitoring data. The candidate will survey the seasonal phenology and geomorphological activity pattern across ecosystems (dunes, salt marshes, floodplains) in Britain. Additional warming experiments will be used to parameterize a model to predict biophysical match/mismatch in a changing climate.

IAPETUS is looking for candidates with the following qualities and backgrounds:

- A first or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or have relevant comparable experience;
- In addition, candidates may also hold or be completing a Masters degree in their area of proposed study or a related discipline; &
- An outstanding academic pedigree and research potential, such as evidenced through the publication of articles, participation in academic conferences and other similar activities.

http://www.iapetus.ac.uk/aboutstudentships/