Climate Warming and Multiple Stressors Interact to Impact Stream Ecosystem Functioning and Community Structure

Climate Warming and Multiple Stressors Interact to Impact Stream Ecosystem Functioning and Community Structure (气候变暖与多种环境干扰因子对溪流生 态系统功能及群落结构的影响)

Aquatic ecosystem functioning and biodiversity are threatened by multiple stressors caused by anthropogenic disturbances, such as global warming and environmental pollution. However, few empirical studies have assessed cumulative effects of multiple stressors with temporal variation on stream ecosystem structure. We will use a stream mesocosm system to experimentally explore the impacts of climate warming, agricultural nutrients, and sedimentation with a range of temporal variability on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity, in terms of leaf litter decomposition and community assemblage. We will manipulate increased nutrients (agricultural activity), deposited fine sediment (erosion caused by agricultural / urban disturbance) and increased water temperature (climate-induced warming) with a variety of temporal combination. We will examine if these stressors with different temporal combination will produce additive or antagonistic outcomes to leaf litter decomposition and benthic community assemblage. The implication of this project’s findings is to provide crucial and meaningful knowledge to managers for imposing effective and efficient ecosystem management and conservation.

For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Please visit http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd.html

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html

Requirements
The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification), in Ecology. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or an equivalent qualification, if the first language is not English. This position is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality.

Supervisors
Principle supervisor: Yixin Zhang (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)
Co-supervisor: David Atkinson (University of Liverpool, UK); Jay Piggott (University of Otago, NZ)

Contact
Please email [Email Address Removed] (principle supervisor’s email address) and copy [Email Address Removed] with a subject line of the PhD project title

Degree
The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) upon successful completion of the program.

How to Apply
Interested applicants are advised to email [Email Address Removed] (principle supervisor’s email address) the following documents and copy [Email Address Removed] (please put the project title in the subject line).

• CV
• Two reference letters
• Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
• Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of above 6.5 or equivalent is required
• Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
• Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Yixin.Zhang ([Email Address Removed]), whose personal profile is linked below, http://academic.xjtlu.edu.cn/envsci/Staff/yixin-zhang