PhD Studentship: CENTA 2027-B03 Managing Contrasting Landscapes for Soil Carbon Sequestration, Soil Biodiversity and Tree Health

The City of London Corporation manages a nationally significant portfolio of open spaces including Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, Hampstead Heath, Queen's Park, West Ham Park, Copped Hall and Patmore's Field. Through its Carbon Removals Programme, the Corporation is investing in habitat restoration, meadow creation, soil improvement initiatives and woodland resilience measures to support climate mitigation, biodiversity recovery and ecosystem resilience.

Land management practices influence soil microbiology and chemistry, which in turn regulate carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and tree resilience. By understanding these relationships, it is possible to design management interventions that simultaneously enhance carbon storage, biodiversity recovery and ecosystem resilience. However, there remains a significant evidence gap regarding which site-specific land management interventions most effectively improve soil condition, increase carbon sequestration and strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Research Aim 

To develop evidence-based land management recommendations that maximise soil carbon sequestration, enhance soil biodiversity, and improve tree resilience across a diverse network of restored meadows, urban parks, wood pasture and forest landscapes. We would like to answer following questions:

1. How do different interventions influence ecosystem resilience, tree and soil health? 

2, Which soil microbial communities and processes are most strongly associated with carbon accumulation, nutrient cycling and ecosystem recovery under various management strategies? 

3. How can monitoring evidence be translated into practical land management decisions? 

For further information on this project and details of how to apply to it please click the 'Apply' button above.

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

Funding notes:

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DLA, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers: annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level), Research Training Support Grant.

Academic requirements: at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent.

Further information: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

International students are eligible for studentships to a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover any additional costs relating to moving or residing in the UK. International applicants must fulfil the University of Birmingham’s international student entry requirements, including English language.  Further information: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgt/requirements-pgt/international/index.aspx.

References:
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environmental-health/climate-action/climate-action-projects/using-open-spaces-to-remove-carbon (Accessed: 18 September 2026).

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