Assessing ecosystem services of proglacial wetlands

Significance and purpose of this research

Future climate scenarios predict shifts in glacier extent as well as changes in hydrological regimes that affect downstream water quantity and quality, sediment fluxes and terrestrial vegetation cover (Ficetola et al., 2024). These hydrological changes are driving biodiversity gradients (Wilkes et al., 2023) and modifying ecosystem services. Proglacial wetlands are hotspots for biological activity and paedogenic processes and they are thought to play a significant role in carbon storage as little as 5 years after deglaciation (van Grinsven et al., 2026). Local hydrological conditions are important for understanding carbon dynamics in glacial forelands given that glacial meltwater does not have a constant flux through time. However, long-term temporal studies are absent and limited spatial datasets exist so the factors controlling carbon storage and CO2 fluxes in proglacial environments remain poorly understood.

We know very little about the functioning of proglacial wetlands or how they are responding to climate changes. There needs to be a move away from speculative assumptions about the potential benefits of proglacial wetlands and the impact of changing water availability on these ecosystems, toward directed studies to quantify and understand how these ecosystems can be expected to evolve under future changes in glacier runoff.

This PhD project will produce a comprehensive analysis of proglacial wetlands which, in some parts of the World, are rapidly expanding due to ongoing glacier retreat. New field surveys will be developed to study space-for-time chronosequences of glacier retreat. A key focus will be developing innovative methodologies for long-term gas flux monitoring in proglacial environments but there are also likely to be opportunities to assess ecological proxies (e.g. pollen communities). The successful candidate will take part in overseas fieldwork and receive training in the use of dataloggers and analysis techniques to monitor wetland properties, as well as the use of satellite imagery and GIS software to track changes in glacier extent. A dissemination plan to share the project outputs to wider policy, practice and research stakeholders will also be formulated. Notwithstanding the above project framework, there remains opportunity for any student to determine the focus and methods of this study based on their own background and interests.

Expected outcomes and impact

In addition to the student's doctoral thesis, we anticipate that the research will result in high-quality academic outputs (conference presentations and journal publications) as well as policy documents suitable for a range of audiences, including practical outputs to support dissemination of findings and implementation of the work at other field sites.

Location

The student will be supervised by Dr Jenna Sutherland (Director of Studies), Dr Graham Rush (supervisor), and Dr Chris Stringer (supervisor). They will be registered within the Cryosphere, Oceans and Landscape Dynamics (COLD) Research Cluster.

References

• Ficetola, G. F., Marta, S., Guerrieri, A., Cantera, I., Bonin, A., Cauvy-Fraunié, S., & Carteron, A. (2024). The development of terrestrial ecosystems emerging after glacier retreat. Nature, 632(8024), 336-342
• Van Grinsven, S., Janssen, N. E., van Rooij, C., Peters, R., & Temme, A. (2026). Proglacial wetlands: an overlooked CO2 sink within recently deglaciated landscapes. Soil, 12(1), 441-450
• Wilkes, M.A., Carrivick, J.L., Castella, E., Ilg, C., Cauvy-Fraunié, S., Fell, S.C., Füreder, L., Huss, M., James, W., Lencioni, V. and Robinson, C. (2023). Glacier retreat reorganizes river habitats leaving refugia for Alpine invertebrate biodiversity poorly protected. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7(6), pp.841-851

Duration of funding: 36 months (three years)

Stipend Value: £21,805 (UKRI 2026/2027 rate)

Stipends are tax-free and paid pro-rata in monthly payments

To apply, please visit the application portal which can be found through the Apply Now button. You need to select the project you would like to apply for, and include the application reference number clearly in your application. Please ensure that you include the following documents for a complete application:

• Your research proposal - you are advised to read through the research proposal guidance
• A statement of purpose (maximum 1000 words) that should include:
  • What knowledge, skills, and training would you bring to the proposed research? This may include relevant academic study, relevant experience as a professional or practitioner, and any specific training in research skills/methods
  • Why do you want to undertake this research at Leeds Beckett University?
  • How does the proposed research relate to your career goals?
• Scanned copies of your degree certificates (e.g. undergraduate or masters degree certificates) and transcripts
• Scanned copies of your English language qualification
• A current CV - you should include your employment history or other professional experience, including internships
• One academic reference