Water is vital to maintaining biodiversity and supporting the quality of life. In Europe, directives such as the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) require government agencies to minimise the deleterious effects of water resource utilisation and other pressures on freshwaters. For many key freshwater organisms, however, the information needed to support such government action is limited. In addition, success to minimise environmental impact depends upon general public support, both directly through adjustment of behaviour (e.g., pollution containment, water conservation) and indirectly through financial investment. The sophistication of habitat management strategies is often limited by our inability to predict the public support required for their effective implementation. Given that habitat stresses will likely increase due to climate-driven environmental change, the need for effective management strategies for sustaining or even improving Britain’s diverse river habitat is all the greater.

This PhD will examine the potential impacts of climate change on one of the most iconic and sensitive of all freshwater organisms, the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.).

In an inter-disciplinary study focussed on the rivers of Wales, the work will assess potential climatic effects on pearl mussels, and appraise public perception of the management strategies that may be required for improving their habitat quality. Pearl mussels were once widespread in clean, stony rivers in Britain, but have since been driven to near extinction due to sediment pollution, eutrophication, and over-harvesting. The species has been classified as a priority by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group, and a national Species Action Plan has been prepared to encourage measures for its survival.

To support these efforts, the PhD will:

1. Establish a numerical model capable of predicting rates and patterns of catchment erosion
   in response to different climate change scenarios.


2. Develop predictions of sediment loading into Welsh rivers and the consequent for pearl
   mussels and their habitats based on the findings of (1).


3. Canvas various communities across Wales and determine public perceptions of climate-change risks, values associated with river habitats, and prevalence of relevant ecosystem/resource use practices (e.g., water conservation, tourism).


4. Combine the geographically distributed data sets from (2) and (3) to determine where
   habitat requirements and public perception are most positively/negatively aligned.


5. Assist policy-makers in Wales in utilising the findings of (4) to determine appropriate
   courses of action in managing habitat and public engagement.

The project will provide a novel means for developing more efficient and socially sensitive plans for catchment-wide management that are appropriate for sustaining key species and their habitats.

Although the research will be developed within Wales, its findings and methodology will be applicable more widely across the UK and Europe.

The PhD is fully funded with support from both ESRC and NERC as a joint interdisciplinary research studentship. The successful candidate should be highly motivated and should possess, or expect to obtain, an MSc, MESci, MRes or 2:1 BSc degree in a relevant subject area. The successful candidate is only expected to have strong expe rience in one of the main research areas (i.e., geoscience, bioscience, social science), but should have an ability to integrate among them. The PhD studentship, including full award of stipend and tuition fees, is available only to applicants residing in the UK. A partial (tuition only) studentship is available to applicants from the EU not residing in the UK.

Supervisors: Prof. Steve Ormerod, Dr. José Constantine & Dr. Lorraine Whitmarsh Cardiff University

For further information, interested candidates should contact one of the supervisors: Professor Steve Ormerod, Dr. José Constantine, or Dr.Lorraine Whitmarsh. To apply please send a CV and Covering Letter in the first instance to Ms. Liesbeth Diaz, School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3YE. Tel: 029 2087 5772. Fax: 029 2087 4326.

Applications will be accepted until 18 August 2010.

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