PhD position: Land change effects on ecosystem services
Organization: VU University Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Field: Physics
Requirements:
A completed Msc degree in the field of geography; environmental sciences or (spatial) ecology; Affinity with an interdisciplinary working environment; Excellent research and publication skills, proven by past accomplishments; Experience with spatial modeling and GIS analysis.
Abstract:
Changes in land use and land management influence the provision of ecosystem services (including climate regulation, water regulation and cultural services). Urbanization, deforestation, land abandonment and intensification of land management leads to changes in ecosystem services...
Description:
Changes in land use and land management influence the provision of ecosystem services (including climate regulation, water regulation and cultural services). Urbanization, deforestation, land abandonment and intensification of land management leads to changes in ecosystem services. To allow policy evaluation and development of strategies for sustainable management the relations between land change and ecosystem services need to be investigated. This PhD project focuses on the effects of changes in forest and agricultural management, including agricultural intensification, scale enlargement, biofuel cultivation and abandonment of management practices. European scale models to simulate changes in land management, ecosystem services and associated monetary values will be developed and applied in the context of a large, interdisciplinary European project. The PhD student will make spatial analysis of European land use data, perform a scenario study of possible future changes in land management and ecosystem service supply and publish the results in journal papers. The PhD student will collaborate intensively with other PhD students and staff in this project.
The appointment will be fulltime for an initial duration of 12 months. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at http://www.workingatvu.nl The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and range from €2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to €2.612,- gross per month in the fourth year, based on a fulltime employment.
Deadline: 18-04-2011
Contacts:
Link: http://www.vu.nl/
Email: falw-vacatures@falw.vu.nl
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