Achieving European freedom from a major invasive alien species: Reeves’ muntjac

Invasive alien species cost the global economy over US$300 billion annually and cause considerable environmental damage (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02568-7). Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) is listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern by the EU due to its ability to establish and spread in Europe and cause substantial damage to woodland biodiversity (https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/invasive-alien-species_en). It is widespread in England and Wales but has only recently been reported sporadically in a small number of other European countries (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01478-2). To avoid muntjac’s biodiversity impacts across continental Europe and Ireland, the most efficient time to remove them was when they were first detected, and the next best time is now.

Experience from England suggests that medium- and high-density muntjac populations are difficult to control, so the complete removal of low-density populations will likely be even more challenging. Wild animals are more difficult to detect at low density, and for this reason the per-animal costs of removal escalate as eradication campaigns progress towards completion (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0018835). The traditional method of muntjac control (shooting) may be inefficient, and additional methods and tactics may be required to detect and control animals at low densities to achieve eradication (https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13640). The success of these controls is not just a matter of ecology, but also the social and political constraints and opportunities that shape how these controls can be used, such as land access. Moreover, the reason for muntjac’s emergence in Europe is because people moved them there. The desire of a minority of people to have muntjac living free in Europe could undermine efforts to remove this species, so motivations need to be understood and mitigated.

Purpose

To support the removal of muntjac from the wild across Europe (except England and Wales) we will evaluate key logistical and social challenges that may constrain the ability of European countries to become and remain free from this species.

Approach

We will undertake field measurements of the biological system and engage in stakeholder elicitation to answer a series of questions:

• What methods can efficiently detect and enumerate muntjac populations at very low densities?
• Are there novel approaches to efficiently remove muntjac from the wild, and how effective might they be?
• Based on biological and social factors, what is the potential for muntjac populations to grow and spread across Europe, and how might their biodiversity impacts develop under different control scenarios?
• How are muntjac and potential control measures viewed by key stakeholder groups across Europe?
• How can we minimise the risk of reintroduction following successful removal from the wild?

Outcomes

This project will explicitly link biological and social challenges that need to be addressed in order to promote freedom from muntjac across continental Europe and Ireland. The multi- and inter-disciplinary supervisory team will support the postgraduate student to deliver:

• A suite of methods for the detection and quantification of muntjac and their populations.
• Efficient novel options for the removal of muntjac from the wild, with an understanding of the biological and social factors underpinning success of these options.
• Estimates of the potential for spread across Europe and subsequent costs of impacts and control.
• Understanding of the social opportunities and barriers to remaining muntjac-free and options to mitigate those barriers.
• Draft best-practice guidance for national muntjac eradication campaigns.
• A PhD thesis and series (at least four) of high-impact papers linking applied biological knowledge with social science to resolve a problem.

We are seeking an enthusiastic problem-solver who is willing to learn how to blend natural and social science approaches to resolve this international problem. The ability to undertake fieldwork in remote locations, and to build productive relationships with a range of people from a variety of backgrounds are required for this project. The project may require placements at the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat in York, UK and the Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek (INBO) in Belgium.

Eligibility

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a 2.1 honours degree, or equivalent, in a subject relating to your proposed area of research, or a good performance in a Masters level course in a relevant subject. A first class honours degree (or equivalent) is usually required to be competitive for scholarship funding and a Masters degree is also a valuable asset.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of a language qualification. The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the Faculty of Biological Sciences is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

How to Apply

1) Complete the University of Leeds online application form

Select ‘NERC YES DTN Yorkshire Environmental Sciences’ as the Planned Course of Study.

The supporting documents needed to process your application are:

• certificates and transcripts of any academic qualifications
• English language qualification certificates
• visa and immigration documents

All documents should be in English or be accompanied by a certified translation into English. 

They can be sent via the online research degree application or can be emailed to ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk after you have submitted your application. Your email should include your student ID number (emailed to you on submission of your application), full name and your intended course of study. Please do not send original documents at the application stage and only provide documents via email.

2) Complete the YES.DTN application form. This is available on the YES•DTN website