I am soliciting applications from interested candidates for the following PhD graduate research position funded by an NSF project that links riparian forest ecology, tree ecophysiology, groundwater hydrology and remote sensing (starting Summer 2017): John Stella, Associate Professor Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY) ste...@esf.edu; Research page: http://www.esf.edu/fnrm/stella/default.htm
Project description: Linking basin-scale, stand-level, and individual tree water stress indicators for groundwater-dependent riparian forests in multiple-use river basins Managing water resources is increasingly challenging in many river basins globally as the climate becomes warmer and drier. Human demand on water resources, particularly groundwater, is high in multiple-use river basins where significant withdrawals occur for intensive agriculture and industry. The interaction between high groundwater extraction by humans and climatic drought, such as that which is currently affecting large areas of California, can result in rapidly declining water tables with strongly negative consequences for groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). Riparian forests, which are hotspots of biodiversity and support key functions and habitats within many GDEs, are particularly sensitive to water table dynamics. Rapid and sustained declines in groundwater tables typically induce reduced growth, vigor, and physiological function in drought-intolerant riparian trees. These conditions, if they persist, lead to riparian forest decline, with substantial risks to the ecosystems they support and the services they provide to society. This project will use a suite of interdisciplinary methods to measure water stress in riparian forests that are linked to changes in groundwater availability. The study will take place in the Santa Clara River basin in Southern California, where as in many water-limited regions of the world, interactions between climate and water withdrawals for agriculture threaten the integrity of GDEs and their component species. The interdisciplinary project team from SUNY-ESF and UC Santa Barbara will couple high-resolution remote sensing with field-based tree-ring research and groundwater well data to develop water stress indicators across a range of geographic scales from individual trees to forest stands to an entire riparian corridor. The ultimate goal of the project is to identify trends and thresholds in forest response to groundwater decline that can be used to develop sustainable groundwater management approaches for protecting GDEs in multiple-use river basins. The position and how to apply: We seek a Ph.D. student at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) working with Dr. John Stella and interdisciplinary collaborators at UC Santa Barbara and The Nature Conservancy. The position will start in summer 2017. Research questions will focus on riparian ecosystem response to drought and methods will include field sampling to inventory riparian forest structure and health, collecting and analyzing tree rings for growth trends and annual water use efficiency using carbon isotopes, and assessing critical thresholds for riparian forest decline. Field studies will occur in the Santa Clara River basin in Southern California with lab work at SUNY-ESF and at the University of Utah. Ideal candidates will have an MS in ecology, environmental science, or a related field; a strong quantitative and statistical background; the ability to work in remote field settings; and interest in riparian forest ecology and tree ecophysiology in dryland regions. The position is funded for a minimum of three years and provides a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. Interested candidates should send a CV/resume (with GPA and GRE scores), a description of research interests and experience, and names and contact information for 3 references to ste...@esf.edu. For more information on how to apply, see http://www.esf.edu/fnrm/stella/opportunities.html About SUNY-ESF Founded in 1911, SUNY-ESF is the nation's oldest school dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future. The ESF main campus is in Syracuse, NY and has regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park. Providing a small-college atmosphere with a low student/faculty ratio that allows for personal attention and mentoring for students, ESF is one of nine Ph.D. degree granting campuses within the SUNY system, and is designated a Carnegie RU/H (Research University/High Activity) school. Integration of research and teaching is emphasized and the college has a strong undergraduate research program where advanced undergraduate students regularly work with graduate students and faculty. ESF has nine regional campuses/field stations and maintains nearly 25,000 acres in college properties offering unrivaled opportunities for field-based research. On ESF's main campus, access to chemical instrumentation, advanced electron microscopy, computing clusters and growth chambers is available. In addition, the ESF campus is contiguous with that of Syracuse University and in close proximity to SUNY Upstate Medical University, giving students and faculty the added resources of a larger institution of higher education, including a wide array of courses, computer and library facilities. The City of Syracuse is uniquely situated between the Finger Lakes Region, Lake Ontario, and the Adirondacks, providing abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
