Project Description
Supervisors
Dr Jake Bicknell, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent; Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)
Dr Matthew Struebig, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent; Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
Prof Zoe Davies, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent; Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
Mr Curtis Bernard, Conservation International Guyana
Scientific background
Across Amazonia, small scale gold mining is on the rise. Over the last decade, this has led to a sharp increase in localised deforestation. The impacts of mines on biodiversity are largely unknown, but since mining removes entire areas of vegetation and soils, impacts are likely to be marked. Vertebrates are ideal for studying the responses of biodiversity to mining because they are likely to play a vital role in the regeneration of these areas via seed dispersal and other functions.
Research methodology
This PhD will undertake a comprehensive field survey in a landscape dominated by gold mines scattered throughout the tropical forests of central Guyana. Employing a paired, mine-forest study design, the study will seek to understand the relationship between biodiversity and different characteristics of existing mines (e.g. size, shape, age, and vegetation). Data will be collected on birds, mammals, and regenerating patches of vegetation, and will seek to understand the relationship between vertebrates and regeneration, and use this to conduct cutting-edge land-use planning across the landscape.
Training
This project is embedded in Conservation International (CI) Guyana’s Responsible Mining Initiative. The student will work closely with CI, and will have an opportunity to undertake an internship to assist CI in their mining impacts mitigation work, providing a wider perspective on the issues associated with gold mining.
The student will receive training in transferable skills through the ARIES NERC Doctoral Training Partnership, and will also be trained in specific census techniques (bird point counts and mist netting, camera trapping, vegetation plots), as well as analytical skills (e.g. spatial analyses in ArcGIS/QGIS, and statistical modelling in R, community analysis using PC-ORD). Over the course of the PhD, the student will also gain academic skills, in particular writing papers, and presenting at conferences and engaging with government departments.
Person specification
We seek a highly motivated individual excited by the prospect of conducting research in a remote tropical forest in central Guyana. The successful candidate will have a degree in conservation/ecology/zoology/ENV, analytical skills and fieldwork experience. He/she will also be willing to work collaboratively with conservation NGOs and government agencies.