PhD Studentship: How do invasive non-native species transform ecological connectivity across landscapes and ecosystems, and what are the consequences for biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services?

Invasive non-native species are a major and growing threat to biodiversity and ecosystem. However, biological invasions do not act in isolation but interact with other indirect and direct drivers of environmental change. To date, there has been little consideration given to the interactions between land-use change and biological invasions in shaping landscape connectivity, even though land degradation and fragmentation are known to exacerbate the spread of invasive non-native species. The proposed research would address the following questions: How do invasive non-native species alter landscape structure and habitat connectivity at varying spatial scales and in different contexts? What are the implications of altered landscape structures for ecosystem functions, including pollination, pest control, carbon storage and recreation? Using islands, specifically Isles of Scilly, as study systems, the Doctoral Researcher would use a combination of spatial modelling and field approaches to address questions on scale-dependent processes within invaded systems. The Doctoral Researcher would also gain experience in community engagement working with diverse stakeholder groups to understand not only the ecological implications but also social dimensions including perceptions and values that might inform management actions. The Doctoral Researcher would be given training through both the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (University of Exeter in Cornwall) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology including in spatial modelling but also stakeholder engagement and science communication. The experienced supervisory team would provide the training needed for the field and modelling components. The Doctoral Researcher will benefit from connections through the Memorandum of Understanding between the two lead organisations and established collaborations between some members of the proposed supervisory team but will also provide new connections for others within the team. Furthermore, the Doctoral Researcher would work close with communities on the Isles of Scilly and relevant NGOs.