Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R012180/1
NPIF allocation: Buffering climate-driven extinctions in montane species: are there genetic refuges?
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor JK Hill, University of York, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of York, Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Climate & Climate Change
- Conservation Ecology
- Spatial Planning
- Evolution & populations
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Abstract:
- Climate change represents a great threat to cold-adapted species in Britain. Species are shifting their ranges to track climate, and cold-adapted range-retracting species may go extinct in many parts of their current ranges. However, there is historical evidence that cold-adapted species survived as localised, refugial populations where post-glacial climate conditions were buffered, and there is a possibility that such refugial populations may contain unique genotypes making them resilient to current anthropogenic warming. Such genotypes might facilitate local adaptation and slow-up range retractions. Under their remit to protect UK biodiversity, UK Government statutory agencies (Natural England (NE) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)) need to identify species and populations at risk from climate change; evidence that UK species contain unique genotypes and that some refugial populations may be buffered from the effects of climate change will help prioritise species and sites for protection, leading to new ways of managing landscapes for biodiversity conservation under climate change. This project will study the genetics of retreating populations of species which are declining as a result of climate change, and relate these to the ecological characteristics of the populations. The project will focus on three montane British butterflies (Mountain ringlet (Erebia epiphron), Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops), and Large heath (Coenonympha tullia), and test the following hypotheses: 1. Populations of the three study species in Britain contain unique genetic variation not present in mainland European populations of the same species, implying that populations in Britain have been isolated since the last glaciation (~10,000 years), and are a priority for conservation. 2. Refugial locations where the three species are predicted to survive future warming contain the highest levels of genetic diversity, testing whether highest genetic diversity is maintained in 'core' sites where the climate remains suitable for the study species, compared to 'margin' sites with deteriorating climate suitability. 3. Refugial locations where the species are predicted to be most likely to survive future warming contain the highest levels of phenotypic diversity e.g. variation in wing colour, size and spot number (features related to thermal adaptation in butterflies), indicating local adaptation and greater resilience. The project will provide the student with multi-disciplinary training in quantitative and analytical STEM skills, including computer modelling, statistical analysis and data management. The project will train the student in new genomic techniques, and the project outputs are likely to lead to new technological developments that will be of wide application to science beyond that of the specific PhD project. The project findings will also have impacts for infrastructure challenges highlighted in the Industrial Strategy. Developing infrastructure is vital for improving living standards, requiring new ways of managing natural landscapes that support people and local economies, as well as stocks of natural capital (including ecosystems and wildlife) which provide benefits for human wellbeing. The findings from this project will contribute to infrastructure planning and policy for improving stocks of natural capital. The project findings will be important for the CASE partners (Natural England, NE; and Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH), who have responsibility for designing resilient future UK landscapes that support the growth of local economies. Project findings will help Defra's NE and SNH (and other government departments and agencies) identify and protect key environmental areas in different regions, with a focus on northern Britain, and contributing to the delivery of clean growth throughout the UK.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R012180/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- NPIF Allocation
This training grant award has a total value of £88,293
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £17,295 | £59,998 | £11,000 |
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