PhD: Antarctic Eocene sea-floor ecosystem structure in response to environmental change

The Eocene epoch is a time of immense change in the global climate when Antarctica transitioned from a
greenhouse environment to an icehouse environment. Ecosystems responded to these changes, but there
is a lack of knowledge of responses on the shelf and especially in higher latitudes. The student will make
the first quantified reconstructions of benthic marine community structure throughout the Eocene of
Antarctica using new samples collected this year.
Working with the leading expert in the field at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the student will analyse
benthic community composition (taxonomic composition, ecological traits e.g. predator/prey ratios). With
project partners at the NHM and the University of Leeds, the student will identify the key trophic
relationships and analyse food web structure through the Eocene. Working with a geochemist from BAS,
the student will explore the interdisciplinary links of life and the environment by putting biotic change into
a paleoenvironmental context.
Understanding ecosystem restructuring in response to environmental change in benthic communities
provides insights into the conservation effort of Antarctic ecosystems in the context of modern
environmental change.

Please note: Rowan Whittle, the BAS lead supervisor, will be on fieldwork in Antarctica during the recruitment period. In Rowan’s
absence, for information relating to the research project please contact James Witts at the Natural History
Museum via: james.witts1@nhm.ac.uk