24 August 2006

PhD Studentship: Grassland Bird Ecology

Title: The ecology of granivorous songbirds on grassland-dominated farms in
south-west Scotland

Summary: The plight of farmland birds has been well documented, with many
detailed studies of their trends within arable systems. However, little is
known about the detailed ecology of farmland songbirds within intensive
grassland systems (which dominate the west of Scotland), despite the fact
that some evidence suggests declines may be more severe in such regions.
Currently, there is an increasing policy focus on the need for approaches to
improve the overall biodiversity value of intensively managed grasslands.
However, the only agri-environment prescriptions (i.e. management actions
with specific environmental objectives) available to pastoral farmers in
Scotland (e.g. through the Rural Stewardship Scheme) have been developed
mostly in arable/mixed farming situations. Little research has been
conducted on the relevance or efficacy of these prescriptions for farmland
songbird conservation within intensive grassland dominated landscapes.
Consequently there is no detailed scientific evidence available on which to
base advice to farmers and land owners on the effectiveness of these
prescriptions or the most appropriate spatial distribution of these on their
farms. This PhD research will help to address this gap in knowledge and
understanding by assessing the effectiveness of the existing prescriptions
on farmland songbirds. It will also use the knowledge gained of the
requirements of these species to suggest (where
necessary) additional prescriptions to target at grassland farms.

Funding:  This research will be conducted between October 2006- September
2009 and the studentship is funded jointly by Scottish Natural Heritage, the
Game Conservancy Trust and the Scottish Agricultural College (Dr D MacLagan
Research Studentship Trust Fund). The successful candidate will be
registered with the University of Glasgow and based at SAC's Ayr campus in
south-west Scotland. The project will be supervised by Dr Dave Parish (GCT),
Dr Davy McCracken (SAC), Dr Jane MacIntosh (SNH) and a member of staff at
the Institute for Biomedical and Life Sciences (University of Glasgow).

Applicants should be graduates or final year students who have or expect to
gain a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in a  relevant subject.
Applications should be made by sending by e-mail a CV together with names,
addresses and e-mail/telephone contact details of two referees to:

Dr Davy McCracken
Land Economy & Environment Research Group Scottish Agricultural College
Auchincruive Ayr KA6 5HW
E-mail:  davy.mccracken@.sac.ac.uk

Closing date for applications is 14 September 2006. A short-list of
candidates will be selected for interview which will be held in September
2006