Category: Environment

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity – J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University

Published on by Ambroise

J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University

  • Application Deadline: 13/03/2026 5:00PM
  • Anticipated Interview Date: 17/03/2026
  • Staff name: Dr Ambroise Baker
  • Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in May or October 2026.

This PhD project aims to study early management interventions during the transition from agriculture to rewilding, with a special focus on the provision of bird habitat and resources, such as seeds and invertebrate abundance. The project takes advantage of the existing long-term ecological monitoring undertaken in 2022 at RSPB’s Wild Saltholme, a 100-ha rewilding project in the Tees Valley. While there are a number of practical ways to promote nature recovery and biodiversity following ecological degradation, one of them, rewilding, is believed to ally high restoration potential and low costs. However, rewilding has only been proposed in the last two decades and we often lack empirical evidence about the best locations for it to be implemented or about the pace and nature of change to expect. Monitoring research at Wild Saltholme is designed to inform adaptive management at the site and to guide rewilding initiatives at other sites to ensure well-managed transition from intensive agriculture to nature, where desirable.

We are looking for someone with a passion for the natural environment and an interest in developing applied research collaboratively with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). During the studentship, you will have an opportunity to spend an internship working directly with a variety of RSPB teams. In addition to research skills, existing practical skills in botany and/or entomology are highly desirable, as is a driving licence.

For more information and to apply:

J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University

For informal inquiries:

a.baker@tees.ac.uk

PhD mini conference 2025

Published on by Ambroise

Our PhD community impressed yesterday during the Earth and Environment PhD min-conference. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to get feedback and questions about their work, while strengthening the research culture within the department.

The mini PhD conference is an opportunity for PhD students involved in environmental sciences to present their work so far and future plans to a group of supportive researchers. Each student will present for 15 minutes followed by some friendly feedback and discussion (5 mins).

Schedule:

Each student to present for 10-15 mins, followed by 5 mins of questions/discussion.

2:05-2:25 Fatai Ilesamni: Non-destructive FTIR mineralogical analysis of a Gabonese stalagmite: implications for Central African palaeoclimate reconstruction.

2:30-2:50 Samantha Cook: Monitoring Microbial Diversity for Improved Anaerobic Digestion.

2:55-3:15 Okechukwo Eze: Land-based interventions for Climate Change mitigation and adaptation in the River Tees Catchment: Stakeholder implementation and perceptions on barriers and enablers.

3:15-3:20 Break

3:20-3:40 Dilmi Mapatunage: Assessing the Influence of Moorland Management on Peat Biogeochemical Properties.

3:40-4:00 Austine Otabor: Early effects of passive rewilding on plant diversity in post-agricultural landscapes.

4:00 Group picture

Above ground biomass sampling at Wild Saltholme (2025)

Published on by Ambroise

This drone footage shows PhD student Austine Otabor and supervisor Dr Ambroise Baker collecting a Above Ground Biomass sample from rewilding site Wild Saltholme, managed by RSPB Saltholme, Northeast of England. This field work is part of a research project monitoring abiotic, biotic and socio-ecological change during rewilding. Credits to our multi-talented and multi-tasking technician Miles Dimbleby for flying the drone.

 

Showcasing Palaeoclimate Research at the QRA Annual Conference 2025

Published on by Oluseye
Our PhD student, Fatai Ilesanmi, recently showcased his paleoclimate research at the QRA Annual Conference 2025 (6–9 January 2025) at Northumbria University, Newcastle. The conference aimed to bring together experts in quaternary science to discuss advancements in analytical methods, proxy reconstruction, geomorphology, numerical modelling, and geochronology. The conference’s primary objective was to foster collaboration, identify knowledge gaps, and outline future research directions in the field.
During the conference, he had the opportunity to present my collaborative research on calibrating stalagmite stable isotope records in West and Central Africa. This research, supported by National Geographic Society-funded expeditions to Gabon (2023–2024), addresses the critical lack of paleoclimate data in the region.
The study utilises monthly rainwater isotope data (δ¹⁸O, δD), temperature, and rainfall amounts from 30 GNIP stations across 12 countries in West, Central, and Southwestern Africa, compiled between 1961 and 2022. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis (δ¹⁸O vs rainfall amount) revealed a strong and significant amount effect at 66% of the stations.
In Gabon, a strong amount effect suggests that stalagmites from this region should record long-term rainfall belt dynamics. Additionally, stalagmite δ¹⁸O records may also weakly reflect the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). These findings will contribute to stalagmite isotope proxy interpretations and enhance the accuracy of models predicting future climate change.
The conference was productive, and I received valuable feedback, interacted with other attendees, and was invited by Prof. Mark Bateman from Sheffield University to their department meeting in May 2025 to present my research. Attendees were pleased that our research has produced the first stalagmites from our study regions (Central Africa) and expressed interest in the outcomes of further dating and analysis.
Conference details: QRA ADM 2025

New publication: Acidity impacts on microbial diversity and litter decomposition for organic soils

Published on by Catharine

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Upland areas of the UK were highly impacted by sulphur deposition during the acid rain era of the 1970s-80s. As these soils gradually recover from acidification, they have been loosing increasing amounts of waterborne carbon, known as DOC (dissolved organic carbon). This has resulted in surface waters in peatland catchments becoming increasingly browner in colour, and represents a notable carbon loss from these soils (which may eventually enter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide).

But why is this happening? There is a strong evidence base supporting a physiochemical mechanism in organic soils responding to changing acidity. Low acidity results in DOC ‘clumping’ together, bringing it out of solution, but increasing pH enables this organic material to dissolve back into the soil solution, making it mobile once more. However, are there other mechanisms behind this trend? After all, microbial decomposition of organic matter produces DOC, and conditions become more suitable for microbial activity with increasing pH.

In this study published in Plant and Soil, led by Dr Catharine Pschenyckyj, we assessed the impact of changing acidity on microbial communities and decomposition of dead plant material (as a proxy for DOC production). This was part of a wider long-term field experiment in the Snowdonia and Peak District regions, in which acid rain, and recovery, was replicated.

Interestingly, changing acidity didn’t significantly impact the decomposition rates, DOC production, or microbial diversity. However, decomposition was faster in podzol soils compared to peat soils, leading to higher DOC production. This suggests that soil type and its physical and chemical properties play a bigger role in DOC release than decomposition. This study helps us understand the complex interactions in organic soil ecosystems recovering from acid pollution.

Find out more about this publication here: https://rdcu.be/edbhK 

PhD Student mini-conference

Published on by Ambroise

Our PhD community impressed yesterday during the Earth and Environment PhD min-conference. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to get feedback and questions about their work, while strengthening the research culture within the department.

The programme was as follows:

Environmental PhD Mini Conference Schedule

27th November 2024, 2-4pm

Each student to give a 7-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions and feedback.

2:00 Welcome and introduction

2:10 Beginnings for environmental storytelling

Alison Reid, PhD candidate at Newcastle University

2:25 How can land provide multiple benefits for current and future generations? The case of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Rach Butler, Carbon Reduction Coordinator at Stockton on Tees Borough Council, PhD candidate at Teesside University

2:40 Using Rainfall Isotopes to Decode Climate Variability: Implications for Stalagmite Studies in Western Africa

Fatai Ilesanmi, PhD candidate at Teesside University

2:55 Impact of prescribed burning on moorland carbon dynamics, microbial diversity and function

Dilmi Mapatunage, PhD candidate at Teesside University

3:10 Land-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation: The case study of the Tees River catchment

Okechukwu Ignatius Eze, PhD candidate at Teesside University

3:25 Above and below-ground carbon stocks and biotic changes during rewilding

Austine Otabor, PhD candidate at Teesside University

Internal Talk – Dr Ernesto Saiz val

Published on by Gillian

The group heard from Dr Ernesto Saiz Val, with a talk entitled ‘N-biogeochemistry and new low-cost analytical methods for in-situ environmental monitoring’.

Ernesto’s work focuses on low cost, reliable and portable devices for soil field work, devices to measure pH, ammonia, potassium and nitrate were shown and a great explanation of the future potential of this work.

If you want to know more – see Dr Saiz Val’s research page – https://research.tees.ac.uk/en/persons/ernesto-saiz-val/publications/

Seminer update – Dr Oluseye Oludoye

Published on by Gillian

On 8th February 2024 we had a fascinating internal seminar talk by Dr Oluseye Oludoye on Pro-Environmental Behaviour Towards Sustainable Food Systems.

Oluseye introduced us to his research including pesticide, cocoa flavours, and plastic chemistry. The talk introduced the team to how people consider use of pesticide, but more importantly the impact of usage on the environment, including soil health. The talk encouraged the group to think about economics, biodiversity and climate change, a really thought provoking and insightful lunchtime session.

Continue reading “Seminer update – Dr Oluseye Oludoye” →

Dr Lauren Rawlins

Published on by Gillian

On 24 January 2024, the Earth & Environment Research Group welcomed external speaker, Dr Lauren Rawlins, who recently completed her PhD at the Department of Environment & Geography at the University of York. Lauren presented her PhD research investigating the impacts of climate change on the glaciers of Greenland. Through remote sensing of the Humboldt Glacier in northwest Greenland, Lauren observed significant seasonal surface melting extending 80 kilometres inland from the coast. The formation of pooled water and drainage networks on the glacier’s surface lowers the surface ‘albedo’ (meaning its ability to reflect incoming solar radiation) and contributes to more melting. The surface meltwater can also infiltrate down to the base of the glacier where it can speed up the ice sheet’s advance toward the comparatively warmer coast, leading to further melting. Lauren’s talk also took us down to SW Greenland where she performed uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys and some remarkable 3-D mapping of the smaller, Russell glacier, to study the distribution and interactions of surface meltwater with ‘cryoconite’ (dark patches containing algae, black carbon, and other dark coloured particulates that reduce surface albedo).

Lauren’s talk was riveting and, her research, scientifically rigorous. Understanding the sensitivity of the Greenland ice sheet to external factors is critical for predicting future change.

At the end of Lauren’s talk, our own Dr Adrian Dye asked her if she could offer any advice to our PhD and prospective PhD students. Amongst several words of wisdom, Lauren emphasised the importance of having a good rapport with your supervisor, ensuring that the University is a good fit, and, once the PhD project is underway, avoid biting off more than you can chew to avoid burnout.

Lauren’s recent publication can be found here https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/17/4729/2023/tc-17-4729-2023-discussion.html. For members of the research group who missed Lauren’s talk, you can find the recording on the Teams site.