The New Forest Biodiversity Forum is supporting the following postgraduate student project as part of the Strategic Research Programme:
Project Title
Assessing the evidence for smoke stimulation of UK heathland plant species
Supervisors
Professor Claire Belcher – University of Exeter
Dr Sarah Baker – University of Exeter
Project Partners
New Forest Biodiversity Forum
Location
wildFIRE Lab, Department of Geography, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter.
The wildFIRE Lab at the University of Exeter is inviting applications for a 2-year MRes (Master's by Research) position that includes full UK (only) fees and a maintenance grant of £12,000 per annum to support the student from the New Forest Biodiversity Forum. The position is available to start in January 2025.
Project Description
There is a wealth of evidence that indicates that plants have developed adaptations to help them survive fire. In some species, there is additional evidence that the acquisition of adaptive traits has not only been driven by fire but is required for the survival of the species. One key identifiable fire adapted trait is that of fire stimulated germination of seeds. The UK has a long history of land management practices using fire, particularly in upland and lowland heath, however species in these areas have never been tested for the presence or absence of smoke stimulation. This is problematic because it means that we are unaware of the extent to which populations of these species’ genetic diversity relies upon management fires for them to reproduce sexually rather than vegetatively. In times where traditional fire-based management practices are being called into question for a myriad of reasons (peatland debates, wildfire risk, smoke control etc.) it may mean that we could fail to adapt management requirements for these species effectively and bring about unforeseen biodiversity concerns in regions that host many of the UKs rare species and unique habitat. This research will allow us to determine whether smoke stimulated germination is present in keystone heathland plant species in the UK and in what regions this trait is present.
The proposed project will run over a period of two years and support the training of a Master’s by Research (MRes) student who will be part of a larger team working on the impact of land management practices, including fire, on biodiversity in heathland and moorland landscapes.
Applicants for this position must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second-Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, such as ecology, biology, geography, or linked environmental science.
Application Process
In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents
• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying).
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 24th November 2024 (TBC).
An official web link to the advert that will include an application link will be provided in due course. Do lodge your interest with Claire Belcher in the interim and she will let you know when the link is live.
Interviews will be held on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus (arrangements for virtual interviews can be made if necessary).
If you have any general enquiries about the application process, please email pgrenquiries@exeter.ac.uk or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers)
Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor, Professor Claire Belcher: c.belcher@exeter.ac.uk
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