PhD Studentship: The Influence of Nighttime Lighting on Predator Prey Dynamics and the Landscape of Fear

Location: Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Penryn Campus, Cornwall

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy to commence on 23 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. The following project is one of four being advertised as part of a competitive process for funding, there is one award available.

Project Background

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive source of anthropogenic pollution that causes widespread disruption to individual physiology, behaviour, and whole populations. The majority of terrestrial animals are nocturnal, and sensory arms races have led to the evolution of incredible low-light vision in many predator communities. However, persistent ALAN can obliterate the darkness that these predators rely on, potentially altering the landscape of fear in prey species that governs so much of animal behaviour, with potential to alter population-level dynamics and tropic cascades that have implications for conservation and biodiversity. Existing work has shown that nighttime light levels can alter the foraging behaviour of birds, and is also thought to affect their perceived predation risk. However, the pervasiveness of ALAN means these effects could be far more wide-reaching than previously appreciated, likely affecting any animal that relies on low-light vision for predator vigilance. 

The supervisory team have developed new methods for measuring and modelling low-light colour appearance that allow us to quantify key aspects of the nighttime visual scene that govern visual foraging and defences. Other members of the team are pioneering methods for understanding predator-prey dynamics and interactions with unprecedented spatial and temporal detail. Together these present unique new research opportunities. 

Project Aims and Methods This project aims to determine how ALAN alters predator-prey dynamics and landscape of fear effects across multiple trophic levels. This will provide a critical insight into the mechanisms through which ALAN affects behaviour and foraging, with a focus on endangered shorebirds in order to inform design of applied conservation strategies and solutions, such as ALAN related guidance and regulation.

Project Enquiries: j.troscianko@exeter.ac.uk 

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