Vacant job

Project Description

The task is to investigate the underlying causes of the repeated crashes of underwater vegetation and the subsequent decrease in the number of resting birds in Torslandaviken in the city of Gothenburg.

Background

Torsviken is designated as a Natura 2000 area according to the EU Bird Directive. The area is of great importance for resting and wintering birds, particularly for the ruff, common goldeneye, whooper swan, tufted duck, scaup, and common pochard. There is also ongoing work within the city of Gothenburg to establish a nature reserve in Torslandaviken. The results of the thesis may become an important basis for the establishment of the reserve and for the development of the management plan.

In the mid-2000s, the number of resting and wintering birds in Torsviken decreased. This was assessed to be related to a decline in underwater vegetation, which led to a worsened food supply for the resting birds.

To gain better knowledge of the area, the County Administrative Board developed a monitoring program for the area. The purpose was to follow the development in the area during the period 2013 ― 2019 and thereby provide a better basis for assessing the area's status and any measures that may need to be implemented to maintain the value for the designated bird species. By the end of the monitoring program, the area's underwater vegetation had recovered. In the evaluation conducted in 2022, the conservation status was assessed as positive for four of the designated bird species and negative for two (whooper swan and ruff). However, in recent years, the underwater vegetation has drastically decreased again, resulting in a decline in the designated bird species as well. The causes of the changes with the repeated crashes of underwater vegetation and the number of resting birds are currently unknown. Are they due to the impact of fish in the area (primarily bottom-feeding whitefish), related to salinity variations and water regime, driven by the birds, or a combination of several factors? Perhaps what we see in Torsviken is just what one might expect in an isolated water area with limited area and water depth, or are there measures that should be taken to avoid repeated crashes?

Conditions for the Assignment

This assignment is aimed at those studying at the master's level who wish to write a thesis focusing on limnology, biology, or equivalent.

The city of Gothenburg (Urban Planning Administration) can offer an external supervisor, but a main supervisor from the University/College is required for the assignment.

The student/students are expected to work remotely, but physical meetings with the Urban Planning Administration and field visits may be necessary as needed.

The design of the assignment will be developed together by the student, main supervisor, and the city of Gothenburg.

For the selection process, we require you to attach a CV, a list of completed studies, and a short personal letter.