Thesis subject

Large scale disturbances and effect of saproxylic biodiversity and associated biodiversity

In natural conditions, large-scale forest disturbances shape the way decomposer communities in dead trees are formed. Fire, storm, flooding and droughts can be disturbances that make a sudden ‘bloom’ of habitat available for deadwood inhabiting organisms. These ephemeral (temporarily) patches of resources could both be vital or a treat to forest insect communities. We aim to explore how:
- Sampling scale and methods affects functional groups of decomposers in forests
- Effect of different type of disturbances (fire, drought, flooding and storm) on macro- and microhabitat availability and associated biodiversity
Method: For this topic, you need fieldwork, lab-work (identification and sorting of insect specimen) and data-analysis. There are also opportunities for molecular techniques, if interested. Depending on the research topic you use a variety of these methods or shape your own experiment. Period: from November till end of summer
Required background
- Experience with fieldwork and problem-solving in rough forest environments and willing to work on different sites in the Netherlands. A driving license is not mandatory but convenient.
- Basic knowledge of European/Dutch arthropod fauna (at least being able to order level, preferably experience with identification of arthropods to family level). Previous experience with identification keys and insect identification is convenient but not mandatory, but you should be willing to learn is.
- Capable of doing labour-intensive fieldwork on your own and making long days. The fieldwork is done in during the year, mostly in summer and spring, and requires walking and carrying traps or samples through rough terrain, in various weather conditions.
- An interest in learning/basic knowledge of R is necessary