Counting the Hidden Cost of Decline: Pollinator Interactions, Plant Fitness and Food Webs

Anthropogenic environmental change can modify how insect pollinator communities assemble and behave[1-4]. Such changes can have major consequences for plant mating systems (e.g. inbreeding) and fitness[5]. This may not only affect reproductive success, but may also alter multi-species interactions (pollinators, herbivores, parasitoids) through altered plant phenology, chemical signalling and defence[3]. Although the consequences of these changes could be wide-ranging and substantial, there is a paucity of evidence on such impacts[5]. To address this issue we urgently need a much better understanding of the mechanisms and effect size of pollinator community changes impacting plants and their interactions with associated species at different trophic levels.

This PhD will use a proven study system[4, 6-8] to test how disturbance (cattle grazing) of semi-natural habitat modifies plant mating systems and the interplay of multi-species interactions (pollination, herbivory, parasitism) that govern the reproduction and fitness of the marsh thistle Cirsium palustre, acknowledged as one of the most important nutrition sources for pollinators in Britain[9].

This PhD will build on our earlier studies to discover, through observation and experiments in field and laboratory settings, the ecological mechanisms (e.g. plant dispersion, community floral diversity) via which disturbance modifies pollinator visitation, inbreeding levels and reproductive success[4,6]. They will also examine the consequences of C. palustre inbreeding for phenotypic traits (e.g. phenology, volatile chemical signals) that govern the capacity of plant offspring to recruit pollinators[4] and parasitoids of their herbivore enemies[7,8] to assure their reproduction and persistence in the local landscape.

This PhD project will place the student at the forefront of species interactions research by providing training in biochemical science, population genetics and plant-insect ecology. The student will benefit from an experienced supervisory team with a long history of collaboration. The student would be based in Edinburgh at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) (Dr Adam Vanbergen, Dr Stephen Cavers, Dr Julia Drewer) and benefit from the expertise and facilities at CEH Wallingford (Prof. Matt Heard) and the University of York (Prof. Sue Hartley). They will gain formal and experiential training in insect ecology, taxonomy, plant population genetics, plant biochemistry and chemical ecology, network and statistical modelling, along with generic skills (communication, time management, data management, paper preparation etc.). As part of Adapting to the Challenges of Changing Environments PhD training programme, the student will receive a bespoke learning needs assessment and training plan and will have the opportunity to benefit from all the core training, cohort-level activities and conferences available through the ACCE DTP and CEH Learning & Development.

Essential skills: Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a 2.1 degree or higher in a biological or environmental science discipline. If you have a 2.2 degree, but have also obtained a Masters qualification, you are also eligible. Substantial relevant post-graduate experience may also be sufficient, please contact the supervisors for more information.
Desirable skills: A Masters degree in a relevant subject; relevant paid or voluntary work experience; experience of insect-plant ecology, molecular science, or biochemistry; evidence of independent thought and working.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter stating your suitability for the project to the lead project supervisor Dr A. Vanbergen ([Email Address Removed]).