biodiversity impacts on forest ecosystems in a drying and ... · biodiversity impacts on forest...
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MASTER/BACHELOR INTERSHIP (Spring/Summer 2019)
Biodiversity impacts on forest ecosystems in a drying and warming
world
Context. Climate change models predict an increase in atmospheric temperatures of ≈ 5°C by
2100. Simultaneously, precipitation extremes are expected to be maintained or accentuated,
thus future droughts will be superimposed upon warmer conditions. Forests cover about 30%
of the Earth’s surface and provide many services to society. Climate change is expected to
alter carbon and water exchange between forest ecosystems and the environment with major
consequences on the functions and services that forests are providing. Yet, predictions on
how a warming and drying climate will affect forests are challenged by important lacks in
mechanistic understanding of species community dynamics. Particularly recognized
processes that could influence forest responses to climate change, but that are largely
misunderstood, are how the interactions among species influence forest reaction to warmer
droughts.
Objectives. The objectives of this project are to (i) assess the physiological processes by
which trees interact among each other under a changing climate, and (ii) determine the
consequences of these processes on forest responses to climatic stresses. To reach these
objectives, a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach using experimental and observational
analyses will be employed going from the individual tree to the ecosystem scale. The project
will use unique greenhouse facilities at the WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow
and Landscape Research) and field-based experiments along environmental gradients. This
work will use methods and theories from the fields of ecology, physiology and hydrology.
The project will give the student the opportunity to obtain new skills and to take part in a new
research program starting at WSL on a timely research topic. This internship is ideal for those
craving a career in the exciting, fast-paced world of biodiversity and climate change science.
The position will be based at WSL in Birmensdorf (10 minutes outside of Zurich) and will
entail experimental and laboratory work at the host institution. The student will also have the
opportunity to participate in research expeditions in several sites in southern France. The
position is open for Bachelor and Master students. Students will be giving a monthly
compensation. Housing options may be offered at the WSL if needed. Starting and ending
dates are flexible.
Keywords: biodiversity, climate change, drought, ecosystem functions and services, ecology,
forest ecosystems, plant physiology, warming.
Contact: Charlotte Grossiord, WSL, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, [email protected]
Link: https://www.wsl.ch/de/projekte/forests-under-stress.html
Languages: French, English, German.