QUADRAT

Project Description

A full project description can be found on Find a PhD. Please see below for additional information about this project:

Energy has been termed the universal ‘currency’ of life (1). The balance between acquisition and energy expenditure (EE) is an essential link between the ability to control physiological processes at the individual level (e.g. reproductive success, mass-balance, immune function) and wider-scale geographic and environmental patterns within populations (trophic linkages, population distributions) (2,3). Consequently, energetic constraints are fundamental determinants of ecology (4,5) as organisms trade off different aspects, such as immune function and reproductive output, which require energy, in response to various environmental challenges such as habitat productivity and food accessibility which determine energy availability (1). When net energy gain of animals decreases, there may be reductions in survival, reproductive success and ultimately population viability (6). Knowledge of energy flow is, therefore, pivotal for understanding how species persist and how their survival might be affected by environmental change, particularly for vulnerable species for which changing conditions may have large impacts on their ability to survive.

In Southern Africa, species persist across many different types of habitat ranging from desert sand dunes, semi-arid thornveld to moist woodland (7). Thus, large differences in water, vegetation and food availability can occur within sub-populations of the same species, which affects home-range size and habitat utilisation (8). Presumably, there are also marked differences in the costs of transport between different habitats – within each ‘energy landscape’ (9). Therefore, there is likely to be large variation in the proportions of energy allocated to different physiological processes and life history characteristics for animals from different locations or habitats, such as open versus forested/wooded areas.

In the Eastern Cape, conservation agencies use live sales of species such as the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) to supplement running costs. However, offtakes are conducted using limited information and would benefit hugely from being guided by scientifically robust data. Across Africa, buffalo are listed by IUCN as ‘near-threatened’ with hunting and trapping identified as emerging threats, and an identified need to understand harvest level trends as a key priority. We aim to utilise a local study site to enhance the science underpinning the sustainable utilisation of protected areas (PAs). However, we first need an improved understanding of how buffalo ecology and movement are related to energy expenditure within this landscape (dense thicket), which differs from savannah habitats where most buffalo research has been conducted and most knowledge is acquired (6). Findings will have relevance for local conservation agencies and for game utilisation across Africa.

The primary objective is to exploit new technology-driven approaches to enhance game management to both protect the local resource-poor population and to provide economic resilience through improved employment opportunities. To do this, the project will exploit the latest technology in sensor based management of buffalo populations with embedded horizon screening of wildlife diseases to identify emerging pathogens within a local PA in the Eastern Cape. The project will exploit development of applications for cutting-edge sensor technology to transform understanding of and maximise effectiveness and resilience of a PA (Great Fish River Nature Reserve, GFRNR). Reserve staff will use the data gathered to develop and inform a dynamic, future management policy. In enhancing the success of this local reserve, wildlife exploitation will be reduced with the knock-on effect of reducing the risk of zoonotic disease transfer. This project will provide a blueprint for how other PAs can improve resilience and impact.

Essential skills

• We seek a highly motivated individual who must hold a first or upper second-class undergraduate degree in a biological discipline (e.g. zoology, biological sciences, parasitology),
• Applicants must be competent in data and statistical analysis.

Desirable skills

• Experience with fieldwork and laboratory skills are highly desirable.

Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash.

Supervisors

References

Impact

Proposed Supervision

This supervision team combines researchers with an extensive background in mammalian physiology, animal energetics, large mammal ecology, parasitology, pathogen biology and epidemiology. As well as weekly meetings with supervisors at QUB, there will be regular skype/teams meetings and visits to the different Institutes.

The student will be based in Queen’s University Belfast, under the supervision of Dr Scantlebury and Prof. Marks, and co-supervised by Dr Hambly in Aberdeen and Dr Tambling in South Africa. The student will be embedded within the Biological Sciences PhD programme at Queen’s and undertake the set basic PhD training offered there and be expected to attend required courses for PhD students (e.g. skills in writing, data analysis, communication etc.). The student will also be based within the current cohort of QUADRAT students, where they will be expected to undertake training specific to QUADRAT PhDs (see the training page). The usual PhD process is to have a 3 month initial review where there is a chance for the student to have feedback from an independent PhD review committee. Thereafter, at 6-9 months after starting the studentship, the student will be expected to undergo ‘differentiation’. This is a formal process, in which the student’s progress is assessed and, if satisfactory, the student is then able to continue with the PhD programme. Thereafter, the student will undergo regular ‘annual progress review’ meetings, with the PhD review committee. The purpose of these meetings is to provide continual and independent support to the student. In addition, regular meetings (e.g. monthly) will be held with the supervisory team during which the student’s progress is assessed, and advice/ assistance offered, these meetings are a requirement of the University.

Proposed Timetable

The student will spend an initial period (e.g. 6-8 months) studying the relevant literature and generating research plans. Once a good grasp has been obtained of the background to the study, we would like the student to become acquainted with the necessary analysis and analytical techniques that the project will involve. Therefore, the student will spend time with the South African partner (Dr Tambling). Covid19 and fieldwork logistics permitting, the student will have the opportunity to travel to South Africa to assist with the data collection and interact and learn from Dr Tambling. Notwithstanding, regular meetings will take place with all partners (zoom/ teams etc.). We have historical tracking data that the student can use (including data on large mammals) which can be incorporated into the PhD. Both of the above aspects (literature review and acquisition of data analysis techniques) can be undertaken alongside the necessary QUADRAT training. During years 2-3 we imagine that the student will become more involved with data collection and rigorous analysis of those data. This will involve elements of fieldwork (above) which will include deployment of data loggers onto animals and investigating the fine scale relationship between microclimate and habitat at sites in South Africa and potentially elsewhere (e.g. UK and Ireland). The remainder of the PhD (year 4) will be spent finishing data analysis and writing up. We expect that the PhD will be completed as a series of manuscripts that can be submitted for publication, and therefore we would encourage the student to prepare manuscripts during the course of the PhD (starting from year 1 with a literature review).

QUADRAT Themes

• biodiversity

Partners

This is a project in partnership with Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, South Africa

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