I just received funding to support a Master's student to study the effect of Chinese privet on the natural regeneration of southern hardwoods following Hurricane Gustav, which hit Baton Rouge in 2008.
Graduate Research Assistantship for a Master's degree in Renewable Natural Resources: Evaluating the Status of Invasive Species as an Obstacle in Secondary Succession A graduate research assistantship is being offered by Louisiana State University's School of Renewable Natural Resources for student to pursue a Master's degree in Renewable Natural Resources to investigate the effect of an invasive species on the ability of southern hardwoods to naturally regenerate the overstory. The study's objective is to examine the regeneration dynamics of a remnant, 75-acre forest located in the middle of Baton Rouge, LA that was initiated after Hurricane Gustav broke or blew over a substantial portion of the overstory trees. The regeneration status of the overstory and the cover of the invasive Chinese Privet was measure shortly after the hurricane occurred. The student's responsibility will to remeasure the plots and assess vegetation changes that have occurred during the approximately 10 years since the disturbance occurred. The research site is located approximately 20 minutes from campus in the Burden Gardens and Museum facility, a 440 acre green space in the heart of Baton Rouge. The assistantship is for two years and is funded by a grant from the Burden Foundation. The assistantship can begin as early as June 2018. For more information contact Thomas J. Dean, Professor, School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU A&M and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA ; email fwdean at lsu.edu; phone (225) 578-4216. See http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/ for more information about the School. If interested in the assistantship, send me a cover letter, a copy of your transcript(s), a resume or vitae, GRE scores, and contact information for two references. Thomas J. Dean, Ph.D. Professor, Quantitative Silviculture and Forest Ecology School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University 210 RNR Bldg, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 office 225-578-4216 | mobile 225-328-0930 | fax 225-578-4227 fwd...@lsu.edu<mailto:fwd...@lsu.edu> | lsu.edu<http://www.lsu.edu/> https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Thomas_Dean3
