Operation Wallacea

Operation Wallacea currently supports 25 Ph.D. students research. As with our academic researchers we are keen offer this opportunity to more students and have several options available to allow students to come out with us including Ph.D. Student Field Research Grants or as co-funded Ph.D. positions.

Ph.D. Student Field Research Grants
Operation Wallacea runs a yearly grant program for Ph.D. students. The grants are available to Ph.D. students registered at an academic institution. It is intended to allow that student to come to our sites and conduct their own research projects for 4 to 8 weeks each summer for multiple years if required. The research project must fit within the themed research programme for the site and be between June and August each year.

The outputs for the grant are required to have a conservation application, either through understanding biodiversity, ecological models and theories or research into establishing sustainable industries in local communities and is . The first year in the field is expected to be spent collecting initial data and working with the academics on site, especially the Senior Scientist to implement the research plan. During this initial expedition the Ph.D. student will be given a small number of volunteer students to help collect the field data. In subsequent summers the project is expected to make full use of students to collect data, including 2 or 3 undergraduate thesis/dissertation students.

The grant will include a flight allowance, accommodation, food, kit hire for scuba, use of vehicles and boats, medical and evacuation insurance and basic scientific equipment for the period of the field work. If the project requires advanced or expensive equipment then this can be detailed in the application and may be funded although projects with basic equipment needs may be favoured.

The number of grants issued will depend upon the strengths of each application although it is between 2 and 8 each year. Applications should be no more than 6 pages and include details of the methodology, a timeframe for research in each year, details of supervision and academic support and a breakdown of any equipment requirements. The project is intended to produce academic and conservation orientated outputs and these should also be included in the application. Resumes of all associated academics should also be included.

The deadlines for applications are February 19th and September 10th with decisions made within 3 weeks after these dates. If you wish to submit a grant, discuss potential grant applications or require more information on any of the sites and potential research areas please contact Dr James Saunders (James.Saunders@opwall.com).

Co-funded Ph.D. positions
Operation Wallacea is willing if the PhD is of major research interest to the site to co-fund Ph.D. grant applications to large funding bodies such as Research Councils, in particular acting as the industrial partner in a CASE grants. The details of each grant vary but in general the funding will cover the costs of the student coming out on site each summer to collect their data in addition to the usual requirements of a CASE partner.

The academic applying for the grant will be the Principal Supervisor for the Ph.D. position although they do not need to come to the site. Operation Wallacea will provide a co-supervisor with experience of the subject and working at the site. Initially the subject and objectives of the Ph.D. position will be proposed by the Principal Supervisor to Operation Wallacea and will be forwarded to the relevant senior scientist for approval. From this point Operation Wallacea can help with writing of the grant and logistical information although the actual volume of input will vary relating to the needs and subject of the grant.

If you wish to discuss potential grant applications or require more information on any of the sites and potential research areas please contact Dr Dave Smith (djsmitc@essex.ac.uk).

PhD students supported to date

Completing field work

Jess Harm, Oxford University
Jess Harm is doing her PhD at Oxford with field support from the Operation Wallacea Honduras marine research programme. Jess Harms thesis title is: The Relationship Between Coral Reef Fish (Larvae, Juveniles, and Adults) and Mangroves: A Case Study in Honduras. She hopes to investigate several questions including; will an island with mangrove lagoons house a different fish assemblage than an island without mangrove lagoons? Are fish in mangrove lagoons distributed according to differences in abiotic (salinity, dissolved O2, nutrients) and biotic (presence of filter feeders and algae) factors? What mangrove prop-root characteristics attract coral-reef fish juveniles?

Niall McCann, Cardiff University
Niall McCann is doing his PhD at Cardiff University with financial and field support from Operation Wallacea Honduras forest programme as a part of a CASE BBSRC studentship. His thesis is entitled "Habitat fragmentation and dispersal in Baird's tapir." This project will examine the effects of forest fragmentation on the distribution, population structure and viability of Baird’s Tapir in Honduras. Understanding the impact of fragmentation is key to managing this and other species in the region. This study will use patch occupancy analysis based on tracks and signs and DNA profiling of fecal samples to assess tapir populations in a range of forest protected areas of different sizes and degrees of isolation. Habitat surveys and spatial analysis using GIS will identify the factors affecting occupancy. These sources of information will be combined to model the impacts of increases in fragmentation and connectivity on tapir populations in Honduras and throughout Central America, providing crucial information for the management authorities, with whom Operation Wallacea work closely. Baird's tapir is Central America's largest mammal and is listed as Endangered by IUCN. It is hoped that this study will provide a management template that can be used in the conservation of other endangered large mammals.

Paul O'Callaghan, University College Dublin
Paul is doing his PhD at University College Dublin with financial and field support from Operation Wallacea Honduras forest programme. His thesis is aimed at developing a biological water quality index for use in Honduras. The cloud forest National Parks in Honduras were designated primarily as a way of protecting of water catchments yet without a biological water quality index it has not been cost effective for the Honduran authorities to complete regular water quality checks on the rivers flowing out of the cloud forests. Paul did a degree in Applied Ecology at University College Cork and a masters at UCD in Environmental Science

Ian Hendy, Portsmouth University
Ian is collecting data for his PhD from the mangrove sites in Indonesia and is developing a thesis on Niche creation for cryptofauna by teredinid bivalves in mangrove ecosystems. Extensive field surveys of the mangroves provide a comprehensive assessment of the forest structure and standing stock of large woody debris. Wood-boring animals and cryptic communities found living within the galleries made by the wood-borers are then identified. In situ experiments using wooden panels provide rates of decay and wood consumption rates over temporal and spatial parameters. Laboratory work will be undertaken to further expand the project. Ian is supervised by Dr Simon Cragg.

Rob Perryman, Manchester University
Rob is doing his PhD at Manchester University with financial and field support from Operation Wallacea Honduras forest programme as a part of a CASE NERC studentship. He is conducting intensive surveys in Cusuco National Park, and other regions of Honduras and Belize and Guatemala, of forest frog fauna (including putative new species), to characterise the morphological features and ecological requirements (e.g. forest type, altitude, etc) of each taxon and to collect DNA from all frogs sampled using buccal swabs. For selected groups of taxa, he will be inferring species delimitations from mtDNA data including the amphibian bar-coding gene, CO1, by applying a new likelihood method to estimate changes in branching rate through molecular phylogenies. Divergence times will be estimated (using BEAST) and from these, and the geographical patterns of colonisation and speciation, the role of Pleistocene climatic change in generating amphibian biodiversity inferred. A small number of selected taxa (selected based on sample sizes collected, geographic distribution, ecological characteristics, etc) will be used to test the alternative hypotheses (above) using a population genetics and comparative phylogeographic approach. For this, nuclear markers will be developed and added to the mtDNA data to enable isolation times and ongoing rates of gene flow to be estimated (using the isolation-migration model). Common patterns of genetic diversity and population history among species with shared ecological characteristics will indicate historical effects on biodiversity. The above information, on taxon delimitations, geographical distribution of genetic diversity and species ecological requirements, will be integrated with predictions for future climate and land cover change, to develop conservation management recommendations within an ecosystem framework. Rob is supervised by Dr Cathy Walton.

Mike Logan, Dartmouth College
Mike is collecting data on the thermal ecology of lizards in the genus Anolis from the Cayos Cochinos and Bay Islands of Honduras. Since the 1960s, temperatures have risen 2.5°C in the Caribbean, and recent evidence has emerged that suggests global warming will affect forest-dwelling lizards that occur in the tropics much more dramatically than it will lizards in other regions of the world. Because three species of forest-dwelling Anolis are endemic to the Bay Islands (two out of the three occur on Utila), it is valuable to understand their thermal biology in order to predict the effects that global warming will have on their survival. Mike is being supervised by Dr Ryan Calsbeek.

Simon Segar, Reading University
Simon is collecting data at our Indonesian forest site for his PhD on speciation and community ecology of non- pollinating fig-wasps. Simon together with Professor James Cook have found that during mutualism, a cooperative relationship between two different species, a third parasitic species may help to keep the relationship stable. During mutualism, both species benefit. However, the long-term relationship between them can be threatened by individuals who take too much advantage of the relationship in the short-term for their own benefit. This new research suggests that the stable mutualism between tropical figs and pollinator wasps, which is about 100 million years old, may be maintained partly by parasitic wasps. This is contrary to the commonly held belief that parasites always have a negative effect.

Cordula Lennkh, Glamorgan University
Cordula has collected data for her PhD at Glamorgan University from the cloud forests in Honduras and is currently developing a thesis.

Writing Up

	Tom Martin, Lancaster University Tom is completing a thesis entitled Avifauna, environmental disturbance and biodiversity in two global biodiversity hotspots from data sets collected by the Op Wall teams in Honduras and Indonesia. The research project aims to examine the relationship between avifaunal communities and anthropogenic environmental disturbance in two highly important yet poorly researched ornithological regions; Neotropical cloud forest in Honduras and lowland Wallacean rainforest in Indonesia. The thesis focuses particularly on assessing the vulnerabilities of the range-restricted and endemic bird species, which are characteristic of these study sites, and also on examining the extent to which avifauna populations can be utilised as bio-monitors for biodiversity as a whole.
	Natalie Bown, Newcastle University Natalie is doing her PhD at Newcastle University with financial and field support from Operation Wallacea Honduras marine reseach programme. Her thesis is entitled Governance of Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study of the Cayos Cochinos MPA. The study examines how governance (local and national) affects the effectiveness of the management plan at the CCMPA in achieving its conservation and fisheries management objectives based on the ecological and socioeconomic criteria stated in the management plan. The study is framed by an examination of the process of Adaptive Co-Management (ACM), and how that framework can be best applied to the CCMPA, or if indeed external forces (national policy and economic development) are too strong to enable an adaptive co-management approach to work.
	Steve Green, Kent University Steve Green is doing his PhD at Kent University with part financial and field support from the Operation Wallacea Honduras marine research programme. His provisional title is: Conservation and Genetics of the heavily exploited Hog Island Boa (Boa constrictor imperator) in the Cayos Cochinos, Honduras. This research aims to address the following issues surrounding the conservation of this insular Boa constrictor; Population Estimate, Detectability and Survivorship. Using mark-recapture data gathered over a number of years the first assessment of current population levels, detectability and survivorship will be achieved for the Cayos Cochinos; Spatial Ecology, Movement and Habitat Use, Boas will be radio-tracked to monitor their habitat preferences and home range size; Conservation Value, using a combination of mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci the level of genetic distinctiveness of the Cayos Cochinos boa will be determined; Origin of Animals in the Pet Trade , data from this study will help to better identify the origin of animals within the captive population that are being traded under the name of “Hog Island” boas. It is widely suspected that such animals are often of mixed descent. Population Bottleneck, it is suspected that boas in the Cayos Cochinos fell to extremely low numbers as a result of over exploitation. Part of this will involve looking for evidence of a genetic bottleneck and possible associated conservation issues.
	Jon Shrives, Oxford University Jon Shrives is writing up his PhD at Oxford University with part financial and field support from the Operation Wallacea Honduras marine research programme. Jon is in the process of writing up his thesis and he plans to submit in early summer 2009. The research has taken place over three full summer seasons on Cayos Cocinos, Honduras and involves aspects of coral reef ecology and impacts. In particular, he has studied the ecological interactions of coral diseases and other indicators of reef health with abiotic (water chemistry and physic) and biotic factors (algal productivity and domination). These factors are being related to anthropogenic sources such as pressures from local village activities and river runoff from the mainland.

Jose Nunez-Mino, Oxford University
Jose Nunez-Mino is doing his PhD with financial and field support from the Operation Wallacea Honduras forest programme as part of a CASE NERC studentship. His thesis is entitled “Biodiversity Indicators and Conservation Priorities for Cusuco National Park, Honduras”. This research is looking at how the structure and pattern of biological diversity across various taxonomic groups varies in relation to habitat structure, spatial location, altitude and disturbance in what is a highly heterogeneous tropical montane forest park. On the applied side, the information will enable the focusing and prioritising of conservation targets for a management plan as well as provide guidelines for sustainable long term monitoring.”

	Nurul Winarni, Manchester Metropolitan University Nurul has been doing her PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University with funding from the Operation Wallacea Trust/World Bank Lambusango project and field support from Operation Wallacea. Nurul Winarni's thesis title is "Community patterns of birds and butterflies in Lambusango". Specifically, the effect of anthropogenic disturbance to bird and butterfly communities, evaluate problems and contraints in bird monitoring (bias and power analysis) and evaluate the use of indicator species of disturbance.
	Atiek Widayati, Northumbria University Atiek has been doing her PhD at Northumbria University with funding from the Operation Wallacea Trust/World Bank Lambusango project and field support from Operation Wallacea. Atiek is doing her PhD research which aims to assess ecological sustainability of rattan harvesting activities in Lambusango forest. Her provisional PhD title is “Rattan Harvesting in a Forest with Conservation Values in Lambusango Area, Buton, Indonesia: a Sustainable Practice or a Threat to the Forest ?”
	Asri Dwiyahreni, Hull University Asri Dwiyahreni works at the Indonesian terrestrial site in Buton Island's Lambusango forest where she collects anoa dung samples. These samples will then be used for mitochondrial DNA analysis to determine whether the lowland or the mountain species occur in the study site, identify individual anoa and estimate their abundance and distribution. Furthermore, she will use this technique to determine sex ratios, breeding behaviour and dispersal within the Lambusango anoa population. In addition to these highly advanced techniques, Asri conducts village surveys hoping to find the extent of hunting level and human impact on the anoa population. Both approaches will be combined and lead to conservation and management recommendations for one of the least studied Asian ungulates, the anoa of Sulawesi.

Ben Green, Essex University
Ben Green is collecting field data on Hoga for his thesis entitled Spatial Ecology of Fish Populations of Wetland Habitats, which in Indonesia involves considerable work in the mangrove forests around Hoga. Mangroves are important and often overlooked ecosystems, vital for the functioning of the whole tropical marine environment. His work involves identifying factors that determine the structure of the fish populations that inhabit the mangroves at high tide. Another interest is habitat connectivity, in particular the movement of fish larvae between mangrove, seagrass and reef habitats.

Dan Exton, Essex University

Dan Exton has been working with Operation Wallacea for a number of years now, carrying out research into a range of topics regarding coral reef ecology. After focusing on the functional ecology of reef fish species, and the environmental impacts of subsistence fisheries techniques, he is now working on his PhD titled 'Isoprene Production in the Marine Environment'. Isoprene is produced by autotrophs as a thermotolerance mechanism, and Dan is hoping to fill the large gap in the literature regarding marine sources of this important gas by investigating the level of production in various taxonomic groups and the mechanisms behind emission rates.

Completed

	Dr Nancy Priston, Cambridge University Nancy Priston did her PhD at Cambridge University with support for the travel and field work elements in Indonesia from Operation Wallacea. Her thesis was entitled Crop-raiding by Macaca ochreata brunnescens in Sulawesi: Reality, perceptions and outcomes for conservation. This study assessed how and the extent to which the booted Sulawesi macaque (Macaca ochreata brunnescens) poses a threat to subsistence farmers’ livelihoods, and in turn, how this affects farmers’ perceptions of a threatened primate species. Through interviews with local farmers, farm surveys, focal-farm watches and troop follows, the impact of raiding by primates on subsistence farmers in Buton, South-east Sulawesi, was investigated.
	Dr Richard Unsworth, Essex University Richard Unsworth did his PhD with financial support from Operation Wallacea on Hoga Island, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia. His thesis was entitled Aspects of the Ecology of Indo Pacific Reef Systems and has resulted in 10 papers in peer reviewed journals to date. This three year PhD thesis project investigated aspects of the functions of seagrass ecosystems in supporting the faunal productivity of Indo-Pacific coastal marine systems. The Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia was used as an example of seagrass habitats throughout the Indo-Pacific bioregion. Research investigated how seagrass is utilised as habitat and as a direct food resource, this included extensive investigation on the role and extent of the impacts of habitat connectivity on seagrass fauna. Five of the six thesis chapters are published as academic papers. The complete thesis can be downloaded here. Dr Richard Unsworth is now based at the Northern fisheries Centre in Cairns, Australia following a spell working for a corporate environmental consultancy.
	Dr Leanne Cullen, Essex University Leanne Cullen did her PhD with financial support from Operation Wallacea on Hoga Island, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia. Her thesis was entitled Marine resource dependence, resource use patterns and identification of economic performance criteria within a small Indo Pacific island community. This study used the example of Kaledupa to provide a detailed case study of a small island community with high natural resource dependence. The study details natural resource use patterns and the extensive local complexities that must be understood for any chance of management success, it also highlights the importance of marine resources to the local economy. A series of potential economic performance criteria were developed which could be used in the development of appropriate management plans that aim to maintain ecological wealth and develop sustainable utilisation, whilst maintaining or improving the economic status of local user groups and maintaining local participation and support.
	Dr Steve McMellor, Essex University Dr Steve McMellor collected data from Op Wall sites in Indonesia, Egypt and Honduras and developed a thesis entitled Biotic Indices of Reef Health. His research was based around the development of a classification scheme for coral reef health and also an Index of Biotic Integrity to act as a diagnostic monitoring and management tool. There have been many calls for such an Index in the literature, yet there still remains no widely accepted method for quantifying the health of a coral reef. Such an index will allow the monitoring of management actions as well as increasing social capital by allowing the involvement of many different stakeholders by communicating results of monitoring at many different levels.
	Dr Sarah Pilgrim, Essex University Sarahs thesis was entitled “A Cross-Cultural Study into Local Ecological Knowledge”. For decades now, since the birth of industrialisation, human populations, particularly in the Western world, have become less and less reliant upon and connected with their local land. With this departure from the land has come a departure from traditional knowledge systems. Generations of accumulated observations are being lost or replaced by modern knowledge systems. With industrialisation now spreading to remote regions threatening traditional knowledge bases, this investigation looks at inter- and intra-cultural variation in knowledge, particularly in terms of economic development and resource dependence within communities in the UK, India and Indonesia. Significantly lower ecological knowledge levels were observed where economic development was high and resource dependence low. As level of resource dependence of a community decreased, the age at which ecological knowledge of individuals became saturated increased and rate of knowledge acquisition slowed. Progressive loss in the younger generations was observed at the industrialised sites. The teaching methods of formal education and the influence of television were found to be contributing to this pattern of loss. At the developing study sites, ecological knowledge was found to be gender-differentiated. This is a product of societal roles and daily activities, unlike in industrialised areas where lifestyle choices were the most important predictor of ecological knowledge. For instance, ecological knowledge was higher in individuals that grew up in rural areas, lived in rural areas during adulthood and made frequent visits to the countryside. Word-of-mouth and direct experience were found to be the most effective modes of knowledge transfer across all sites. The revealed patterns of knowledge loss contribute to our understanding of the future of ecological knowledge bases globally and action that may be taken to prevent further decline in the light of economic development.