Integrating modern and long-term ecology to inform UK peatland fire management in a changing climate

Director of Studies:  Dr Jessie Woodbridge  

2nd Supervisor:  Dr Scott Davidson  

3rd Supervisor: Professor Gareth Clay, University of Manchester

4th Supervisor: Professor Ralph Fyfe  

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1 October 2025 

Climate change is increasing wildfire risk globally. In the UK, peatland wildfires have been frequent and severe in recent years(1). Peatlands are important carbon-rich biodiverse ecosystems. Wildfire can severely damage peatlands with significant environmental impacts(3). Fire has played an important role in shaping landscapes historically(2), but uncontrolled fires lead to loss of ecosystem function and reduced peatland carbon storage capacity(3). This research aims to inform future peatland fire management strategies and improve understanding of carbon loss following fire events. Information about recent and long-term past (palaeo) ecological trends(4) in response to fire, climate and vegetation change will be integrated with modern ecological research.   

The research will be based within two National Parks (Peak District and Dartmoor) facing current and future wildfire challenges. This project will use palaeo-environmental indicators to investigate the relationships between vegetation (fossil pollen analysis(4)), fire activity (micro-charcoal analysis), climate, and carbon accumulation over centennial to millennial timescales to understand long-term patterns of change that lead to greater ecosystem resilience to fire(2). Remote-sensing will be used to evaluate patterns of peatland disturbance, vegetation loss and post-disturbance recovery. Fire modelling techniques(5) will be used to predict biomass and burned areas under different climate and fire frequency scenarios integrating past and modern ecological data. Post-fire carbon exchange will be evaluated through measuring CO2 flux in areas where wildfires have previously taken place. Spatial analysis and mapping techniques will be used to generate outputs with ArcGIS Online.

The supervisory team will provide training in microscopic pollen and charcoal analysis, carbon flux monitoring and data analysis. You will attend training courses on vegetation, climatic and fire modelling. Time will be spent with a partner organisation (Natural England) developing multidisciplinary skills. You will learn to use a range of computer software (e.g. GIS) and R programming.  

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a degree within Geography, Environmental Science and related disciplines. Students from numerical disciplines are also encouraged to apply. Experience of long-term ecology and/or fieldwork is desirable. Alternative modes of working (desk-based research using existing databases) are available to accommodate personal circumstances. 

Belcher, Clay, et al. (2021) UK Wildfires and their Climate Challenges. Expert led report prepared for the Third Climate Change Risk Assessment. (online: www.ukclimaterisk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/UK-Wildfires-and-their-Climate-Challenges.pdf) Accessed: July 2021.  

Connor, Woodbridge, et al. (2019) Humans take control of fire-driven diversity changes in Mediterranean Iberia’s vegetation during the mid–late Holocene. The Holocene. 29, 886-901. DOI: 10.1177/0959683619826652  

Wilkinson, Davidson, et al. (2023) Wildfire and degradation accelerate northern peatland carbon release. Nature Climate Change. DOI: 10.1038/s41558-023-01657-w

Woodbridge et al. (2021) What drives biodiversity patterns? Using long-term multi-disciplinary data to discern centennial-scale change. Journal of Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.13565.  

Benito et al. (2023) PalaeoFireModeling. [Online: https://github.com/BlasBenito/PalaeoFireModeling]. Accessed: 9/8/23  

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in Geographical, Biological or Environmental Science and related disciplines. Students from numerical disciplines are also encouraged to apply. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.  

Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded ARIES studentship of fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research costs.  

A limited number of ARIES studentships are available to International applicants. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK. 

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period. 

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, and transgender status. Projects have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, with equal weighting given to experience and potential. 

For further information, please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact  Dr Jessie Woodbridge .

Please see our apply for a postgraduate research programme page for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application. 

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our Apply for a postgraduate research programme page or contact the Doctoral College .

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.