[ECOLOG-L] Master's Research Degree opportunity in the CB Fenster lab, South Dakota State University: Pollination Biology in Agricultural Ecosystems
Master's Research Degree opportunity in the CB Fenster lab, South Dakota State University: Pollination Biology in Agricultural Ecosystems Starting Date: Preferably mid of July 2018 Pollinators play a key role in ecosystem functioning because they mediate interactions between species and facilitate ecological and economic impacts. However, pollinator health is globally declining in agricultural landscapes largely due to the use of insecticides, reduced habitat and lack of nutritional resources. The student opportunity is to participate with a team 1) to understand how pollination services contribute to ecosystem functioning, enhancing ecosystem services including maximizing crop yield and 2) transfer this role of pollinator services to policy development aimed at enhancing pollinator health. This team, in addition to myself, includes insect ecologists (Jon Lundgren), plant landscape ecologists (Henning Nottebrock) and economists (James Stone, Heidi Sieverding).We are using Brassica carinata and other flowering crops, to study plant-pollinator interactions in an agricultural ecosystem. Specifically, we will quantify the parameters that maximize ecosystem functioning, thus increasing ecosystem services. e.g., maximized carinata productivity and pollinator-associated ecosystem services resulting in maximized honey production. Location: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. Brookings is a small, but vibrant community with easy access to culture and the outdoors. More information about the Department of Biology and Microbiology at SDSU can be found at: http://www.sdstate.edu/biology-and-microbiology Requirements: The ideal student should embrace field-based research as well as have some background or interest in large data and or landscape approaches. Most importantly, you should be passionate about biology and the questions being pursed at the CBFenster lab. Specifically for this project, one should have an interest in sustainable agriculture and the consequences of various land-use polices for ecosystem services. Generally, students who work with me either have or develop a broad understanding of statistics. Foreign students need to meet English language requirements. I encourage you to contact me or Henning, if interested at: charles.fens...@sdstate.edu or henning.nottebr...@sdstate.edu More information can be found at the CBFenster lab website and project colleagues: Charlie: https://charlesbfenster.wordpress.com/ Henning: https://henningnottebrock.wordpress.com/ Jon: http://bluedasher.farm/ Please include in your email: • brief description of your research interests • concrete evidence of interest in this project • experience related to this project • CV Funding options are available for both US and International students.
[ECOLOG-L] Master's Research Degree opportunity in the CB Fenster lab, South Dakota State University: Pollination Biology in an Agricultural Landscape
Starting Date: Preferably end of May 2017 Pollinator service is globally associated with increased crop yield. Furthermore, flowering field crops (i.e., oilseeds, legumes) contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem services, providing nectar and pollen resources for pollinators. The student opportunity is to participate with a team to investigate the role of pollinators in yield of a new crop, Brassica carinata and how that crop can impact bee health. This team, in addition to myself, includes insect ecologists (Jon Lundgren), plant landscape ecologists (Henning Nottebrock), economists (James Stone, Heidi Sieverding) and extension personnel (Amanda Bachmann). More specifically, we will quantify plant-pollinator interaction at different scales to understand the contribution of carinata to sustaining native pollinators, honey bees and honey yield. Finally, we will determine parameters to estimate the economic impact of carinata in terms of yield, honey production, and sustainability of native pollinators. Location: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. Brookings is a small, but vibrant community with easy access to culture and the outdoors. More information about the Department of Biology and Microbiology at SDSU can be found at: http://www.sdstate.edu/biology-and-microbiology Requirements: The ideal student should embrace field-based research as well as have some background or interest in large data and or landscape approaches. Most importantly, you should be passionate about biology and the questions being pursed at the CBFenster lab. Specifically for this project, one should have an interest in sustainable agriculture and the consequences of various land-use polices for ecosystem services. Generally, students who work with me either have or develop a broad understanding of statistics. Foreign students need to meet English language requirements. I encourage you to contact me, if interested at: charles.fens...@sdstate.edu More information can be found at the CBFenster lab website: https://charlesbfenster.wordpress.com/ and here you can also find links to all of the collaborators. Please include in your email: • brief description of your research interests • concrete evidence of interest in this project • experience related to this project • CV Funding options are available for both US and International students.
