Eurizon.eu

Organization: University of Southampton - Global Environmental Change And Earth Observation (GECEO)

Location: Southampton, UK

Field: Environmental Sciences

Requirements:

Candidates must have or expect to gain a First or strong Upper Second class degree in an appropriate subject, including Geography. Application details are available from the Graduate School Administrator, J.A.Drewitt@soton.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Pete Atkinson (Telephone 023 8059 4617 - email p.m.atkinson@soton.ac.uk). For the latest information on funding opportunities, please visit the Geography website at www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/.

Abstract:

Environmental resources in the Mid Hills support a large percentage of the Nepalese population, with the majority surviving at subsistence level...

Description:

Environmental resources in the Mid Hills support a large percentage of the Nepalese population, with the majority surviving at subsistence level. However, due to the terrain in this region communities are often isolated from development opportunities and climate change is further marginalising populations. Inadequate water resources are a major issue due to changes in spatiotemporal continuity of precipitation and river flows. This project will focus on investigating water resources in the Mid Hills through spatiotemporal analysis of precipitation time-series data and developing a detailed hydrological model to replicate rainfall-runoff processes. Remote sensing analysis will be undertaken to produce a detailed land cover classification for environmental model parameterisation. Climate change projections will be considered to model future water resources. One scenario which will be further investigated is the concept of reducing environmental degradation through the potential to adopt agroforesty. This would concurrently aid alleviation of food security issues (e.g. increase crop production and diversity; reduce likely loss from crop disease) and help mitigate potential impacts of water-related environmental hazards such as flashing flooding and landslides. The impact of potential reforestation will be modelled using land cover change scenarios using the developed hydrological model.
 
*The studentship will cover tuition fees as well as living expenses.  Please note however that this only covers tuition fees up to the level of home/EU students.  International students are welcome to apply but must be able to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees

Deadline: 19-02-2011

Contacts:

Link: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/.

Email: p.m.atkinson@soton.ac.uk

Email: J.A.Drewitt@soton.ac.uk

Phone number: 023 8059 4617

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