or
Continue with FacebookLooking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.
Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities
Dr E Masden, Dr Aly McCluskie
No more applications being accepted
About the Project
Project description
Governments are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources and with growing numbers of wind farms it is important that impacts on the environment are adequately assessed. Wind farms and associated infrastructure may affect birds through collision mortality, direct habitat loss, and displacement. Avian collision has received much attention but knowledge gaps remain. Collisions between birds and turbines are often predicted using theoretical models requiring information on bird behaviour, particularly flight activity. The behaviour of birds in proximity to wind turbines is not well understood and species-specific information on flight and habitat use is lacking. This lack of knowledge leads to uncertainty in collision estimates for single developments and the uncertainty is also propagated through cumulative impact assessments when modelling potential energy development scenarios. Species which may be impacted in the UK and for which uncertainty exists over collision impacts include the iconic hen harrier and greenshank. Species previously absent from proposed development areas pre-construction, may also be vulnerable if they move into these areas post-construction due to range expansion, such as, in Scotland, the white-tailed eagle. The impact of wind farms on this species has been studied for many years at Smøla in Norway. Also, willow grouse have been shown to be susceptible to collision in Norway, with potential similarities in Scotland for black grouse.
Project Objectives
The aim of this PhD project is to improve knowledge of bird flight characteristics and habitat use which drive species vulnerability to wind farms. The project will use data provided by NINA and RSPB, along with observational fieldwork, to improve understanding of flight behaviours. The project will focus on species identified as vulnerable to wind farms in Scotland and Norway. These data will be used to develop ecological models to better understand impacts of wind farms on birds and reduce ornithological impacts of energy developments.
The objectives are:
1. Collate and obtain data on flight characteristics for species vulnerable to wind farms due to specific behaviours (e.g. display flights);
2. Collate and obtain data on habitat use and occurrence for these species
3. Assess whether models currently used to estimate avian collision risk are suitable for such species;
4. Analyse movement data in relation to biological and environmental factors (e.g. topography), to produce predictive movement models;
5. Construct agent based models to assess impacts of wind farms on bird populations, alone and in-combination.
Location
The student will be based at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, but it is anticipated that some additional fieldwork may be undertaken in Norway.
This project will be supervised by Dr Elizabeth Masden, Dr Aly McCluskie (RSPB) and Dr Bård Stokke, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
Governments are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources and with growing numbers of wind farms it is important that impacts on the environment are adequately assessed. Wind farms and associated infrastructure may affect birds through collision mortality, direct habitat loss, and displacement. Avian collision has received much attention but knowledge gaps remain. Collisions between birds and turbines are often predicted using theoretical models requiring information on bird behaviour, particularly flight activity. The behaviour of birds in proximity to wind turbines is not well understood and species-specific information on flight and habitat use is lacking. This lack of knowledge leads to uncertainty in collision estimates for single developments and the uncertainty is also propagated through cumulative impact assessments when modelling potential energy development scenarios. Species which may be impacted in the UK and for which uncertainty exists over collision impacts include the iconic hen harrier and greenshank. Species previously absent from proposed development areas pre-construction, may also be vulnerable if they move into these areas post-construction due to range expansion, such as, in Scotland, the white-tailed eagle. The impact of wind farms on this species has been studied for many years at Smøla in Norway. Also, willow grouse have been shown to be susceptible to collision in Norway, with potential similarities in Scotland for black grouse.
Project Objectives
The aim of this PhD project is to improve knowledge of bird flight characteristics and habitat use which drive species vulnerability to wind farms. The project will use data provided by NINA and RSPB, along with observational fieldwork, to improve understanding of flight behaviours. The project will focus on species identified as vulnerable to wind farms in Scotland and Norway. These data will be used to develop ecological models to better understand impacts of wind farms on birds and reduce ornithological impacts of energy developments.
The objectives are:
1. Collate and obtain data on flight characteristics for species vulnerable to wind farms due to specific behaviours (e.g. display flights);
2. Collate and obtain data on habitat use and occurrence for these species
3. Assess whether models currently used to estimate avian collision risk are suitable for such species;
4. Analyse movement data in relation to biological and environmental factors (e.g. topography), to produce predictive movement models;
5. Construct agent based models to assess impacts of wind farms on bird populations, alone and in-combination.
Location
The student will be based at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, but it is anticipated that some additional fieldwork may be undertaken in Norway.
This project will be supervised by Dr Elizabeth Masden, Dr Aly McCluskie (RSPB) and Dr Bård Stokke, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
Funding Notes
This studentship is funded by the European Social Fund and Scottish Funding Council as part of Developing Scotland’s Workforce in the Scotland 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Fund Programme.
The studentship covers fees at the Home/EU rate only, plus a stipend at the RCUK level, for a total of 42 months (including writing-up).
Funding is available for students worldwide, however non UK/EU students will be liable for the difference between home/EU and international fees. Students must be domiciled in the Highlands and Islands transition region during the course of their study to be eligible for funding.
The project is expected to start on 1 October 2016.
Applicants must possess a minimum of an Honours degree at 2:1 and/or a Master’s Degree (or International equivalent) in a relevant subject.
Interviews will take place at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso.
To apply please complete the standard application form, attaching supporting documentation and send to: [Email Address Removed]
Informal project specific enquiries can be made to: Dr Elizabeth Masden ([Email Address Removed])
The studentship covers fees at the Home/EU rate only, plus a stipend at the RCUK level, for a total of 42 months (including writing-up).
Funding is available for students worldwide, however non UK/EU students will be liable for the difference between home/EU and international fees. Students must be domiciled in the Highlands and Islands transition region during the course of their study to be eligible for funding.
The project is expected to start on 1 October 2016.
Applicants must possess a minimum of an Honours degree at 2:1 and/or a Master’s Degree (or International equivalent) in a relevant subject.
Interviews will take place at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso.
To apply please complete the standard application form, attaching supporting documentation and send to: [Email Address Removed]
Informal project specific enquiries can be made to: Dr Elizabeth Masden ([Email Address Removed])
References
Fox, A. D., Desholm, M., Kahlert, J., Christensen, T. K. & Petersen, I. K. Information needs to support environmental impact assessment of the effects of European offshore wind farms on birds. Ibis (Lond. 1859). 148, 129–144 (2006).
2. Pearce-Higgins, J. W., Stephen, L., Langston, R. H. W., Bainbridge, I. P. & Bullman, R. The distribution of breeding birds around upland wind farms. J. Appl. Ecol. 46, 1323–1331 (2009).
3. Sansom, A., Pearce-Higgins, J. W. & Douglas, D. J. T. Negative impact of wind energy development on a breeding shorebird assessed with a BACI study design. Ibis (Lond. 1859). (2016). doi:10.1111/ibi.12364
4. Masden, E. A. & Cook, A. S. C. P. Avian collision risk models for wind energy impact assessments. Environ. Impact Assess. Rev. 56, 43–49 (2016).
5. Masden, E. A., McCluskie, A., Owen, E. & Langston, R. H. W. Renewable energy developments in an uncertain world: The case of offshore wind and birds in the UK. Mar. Policy 51, 169–172 (2015).
6. Furness, R. W., Trinder, M., Macarthur, D. & Douse, A. A theoretical approach to estimating bird risk of collision with wind turbines where empirical flight activity data are lacking. 183–194 (2016).
7. Dahl, E. L. et al. White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Smøla wind-power plant, central Norway, lack behavioral flight responses to wind turbines. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 37, 66–74 (2013).
8. Bevanger, K. Estimates and population consequences of tetraonid mortality caused by collisions with high tension power lines in Norway. J. Appl. Ecol. 32, 745–753 (1995).
9. Wood, K. A., Stillman, R. A. & Goss-Custard, J. D. Co-creation of individual-based models by practitioners and modellers to inform environmental decision-making. J. Appl. Ecol. 52, 810–815 (2015).
2. Pearce-Higgins, J. W., Stephen, L., Langston, R. H. W., Bainbridge, I. P. & Bullman, R. The distribution of breeding birds around upland wind farms. J. Appl. Ecol. 46, 1323–1331 (2009).
3. Sansom, A., Pearce-Higgins, J. W. & Douglas, D. J. T. Negative impact of wind energy development on a breeding shorebird assessed with a BACI study design. Ibis (Lond. 1859). (2016). doi:10.1111/ibi.12364
4. Masden, E. A. & Cook, A. S. C. P. Avian collision risk models for wind energy impact assessments. Environ. Impact Assess. Rev. 56, 43–49 (2016).
5. Masden, E. A., McCluskie, A., Owen, E. & Langston, R. H. W. Renewable energy developments in an uncertain world: The case of offshore wind and birds in the UK. Mar. Policy 51, 169–172 (2015).
6. Furness, R. W., Trinder, M., Macarthur, D. & Douse, A. A theoretical approach to estimating bird risk of collision with wind turbines where empirical flight activity data are lacking. 183–194 (2016).
7. Dahl, E. L. et al. White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Smøla wind-power plant, central Norway, lack behavioral flight responses to wind turbines. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 37, 66–74 (2013).
8. Bevanger, K. Estimates and population consequences of tetraonid mortality caused by collisions with high tension power lines in Norway. J. Appl. Ecol. 32, 745–753 (1995).
9. Wood, K. A., Stillman, R. A. & Goss-Custard, J. D. Co-creation of individual-based models by practitioners and modellers to inform environmental decision-making. J. Appl. Ecol. 52, 810–815 (2015).
Find a scholarship to fund your dream Masters
Sign in to view and filter all scholarship opportunities
or
Continue with Facebook