Industrial CASE PhD Studentship
IACR and De Sangosse UK
Modelling range expansion and invasion; the spatio-temporal distribution of
slugs in Europe with climate change
Applications are invited from UK and EU citizens (EU citizens are eligible
for tuition fees only) for a BBSRC funded PhD studentship available from 1
October 2002 to model the range expansion and invasion of slugs in Europe.
Global changes in climate profoundly affect the interactions that could
occur between native and alien species and their environment. These change
the available niche space and provide opportunities for pest species to
expand their range and invade new regions. Pest slugs are believed to be
undergoing such an expansion of range. Across Britain, problems due to the
pest slug, Deroceras reticulatum, are increasing whilst two species of
slug, Arion lusitanicus and Boetgerilla pallens, have invaded mainland
Europe in the last 50 years.
This studentship will use a model for the population dynamics of D.
reticulatum to forecast the range expansion and invasion of this pest for
different scenarios of climate change. To do this, the model will need to
be validated against observed climate and molluscicide sales data and
models of “farmer behaviour” for the application of molluscicde will need
to be developed. Then, using these models, the development of scaling-up
approaches will allow the effects of climate change on slug population
dynamics and distribution to be investigated, to inform approaches to
control slugs and elaborate their invasion ecology.
The successful candidate will be mainly based at IACR-Rothamsted,
Harpenden, Herts, but will also include a period of time at the industrial
location, which is De Sangosse, Romsey, U.K. An annual stipend of £11,500
will be payable.
Informal enquiries welcome to Dr. David Bohan by email:
[log in to unmask], or on 01582 763133 x 2335..
To apply please send your CV and a covering letter to Dr David Bohan,
Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Division, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts,
AL5 2JQ. Closing date 20 August 2002. Ref 614.
|