About the Project
Quantifying the effects of upland valley mire restoration activities is critical given these often-overlooked components of inter-dependent peatland complexes are themselves in poor condition and are negatively impacting the blanket bogs surrounding them. In a degraded condition, these wetlands are vulnerable to climate change and emit carbon from their vast stores. Valley mire restoration has the potential to improve the biodiversity and ecological resilience of these degraded habitats in the face of climate change, promote carbon storage and sequestration, provide natural flood management benefits and support the ecological resilience of the surrounding blanket bogs.
The landscape management practitioner community is urgently seeking evidence to support decision making around the management of valley mires and adjacent areas for which traditional peatland restoration approaches are not appropriate. This PhD studentship is funded by the University of Exeter, South West Water and the Environment Agency. Working closely with the South West Peatland Partnership and the Environment Agency, the fully funded PhD student will co-design and evaluate a range of restoration techniques.
The research will combine techniques from hydrology, ecology, palaeoecology, geochronology, and greenhouse gas science to provide a long-term ecological context (plant macrofossils, radiocarbon dating); describe their current eco-hydrological characteristics (flow modelling, peat saturation, vegetation community); and quantify their carbon stocks and flows (peat thickness, loss-on-ignition, bulk density, CO2/CH4 emissions). Employing a before-after-control-intervention approach, this study will scrutinise a range of potential restoration activities such as reprofiling, exclusion fencing, log blocks, and tree planting, thereby contributing to an evidenced understanding of their efficacy in restoring valley mires.
This PhD would suit anyone interested in environmental science, ecology, geography, hydrology, palaeoecology, geochronology and the intersection of these subjects.
For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:
- A tax-free annual stipend for 4 years (currently £20,112 p.a. for 2024/25), or pro rata for part-time study;
- Payment of university Home tuition fees;
- A research training support grant of £22,500 for an international conference, lab, field and research expenses.
The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£24k) and no stipend.
International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.
The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The collaboration involves a project partner who is providing funding [and other material support to the project], this means there are special terms that apply to the project, these will be discussed with Candidates at Interview and fully set out in the offer letter. The collaboration with the named project partner is subject to contract. Please note full details of the project partner’s contribution and involvement with the project is still to be confirmed and may change during the course of contract negotiations. Full details will be confirmed at offer stage.
Funding Notes
The University of Exeter’s Department of Geography is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by the University, South West Water and the Environment Agency to commence 22nd September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,112 for 4-years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in CREWW at the Streatham Campus.
