Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K007238/1
[WATER] River temperature sensitivity and response to drivers of change
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor DM Hannah, University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- There is an increasing interest in river and stream temperature research, driven by widening recognition of the critical importance of water temperature for healthy aquatic ecosystems and the socio-economic benefits that this brings. In the case of salmonid fish - which have been a particular focus of attention - water temperature influences growth, smolt age, mortality, productivity and demographic structure. Consequently, a clear understanding of river temperature variability is necessary to underpin fisheries research and river basin management more generally. Specifically, there is a need to (a) understand spatio-temporal variability in river temperature and the controls on river temperature under current climate conditions and (b) predict future river temperatures to inform mitigation and adaptation strategies. River temperatures are controlled by dynamic fluxes of energy and water. These, in turn, are influenced by land and water management. Analysis of space-time variability in river temperature regimes is vital: to elucidate key controls/ processes, to predict sensitivity to change, and to inform management of land-use, water resources and freshwater ecology. Prediction of future river temperature regimes remains highly uncertain, depending on the climate scenarios that are used, assumptions of hydrological change and site characteristics (e.g. topographic or land use shading, catchment residence times etc.) which moderate the influence of climate on river temperature. Nevertheless, future predictions are required to underpin mitigation and adaptation initiatives. At the UK level, environmental organisations are tasked with providing thermal standards for water bodies as part of the EU Water Framework Directive. However, most studies are conducted at the sub-basin scale; and there is a paucity of largescale perspectives on river temperature variation to inform setting of thermal standards, development of assessment tools and evaluation of management options at large spatial scales relevant to policy. This is particularly true in Scotland where CAMERAS (Coordinated Agenda for Marine, Environment and Rural Affairs Science) recently prioritised the development of a national monitoring strategy for river temperature in their Freshwater Monitoring Action Plan (MAP). Recent technological advances have reduced the cost of deploying accurate and reliable temperature monitoring equipment, while large-scale GIS-based river temperature modelling approaches have been developed. Together, these methodological innovations open up new opportunities for large-scale modelling of river temperature, understanding controls, predicting changes and determining mitigation options. This studentship will make use of technological advances and recently developed statistical modelling approaches to improve our understanding of current and future space-time variability in river temperature. We hypothesise that river temperature will vary between climatic regions, but that for regions with similar climate, temperature differences will reflect the predictable influence of hydrology and site characteristics, including land use. This studentship aims: (1) to characterise spatial and temporal variability in river thermal regimes (2) to identify the most climatically sensitive locations (sites to regions) and time-periods (seasons to days); (3) to use information from 1 and 2 to elucidate hydrological, climatological and basin/ site controls and so assess buffering of water temperature by non-climatic factors; (4) to develop models to predict future river temperature changes based on climate and hydrological change scenarios; and (5) to use information from 3 and 4 to assess climate change mitigation options for high temperature. A separate Case for Support is attached that details the scientific background, practical relevance/ benefits, methods, training and workplan.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K007238/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Open CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £68,671
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £49,194 | £5,499 |
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