In the light of global change, we need to conserve biodiversity hotspots. Often scientists use species observations to map the geographic ranges of species and determine their conservation status. However, many biodiversity hotspots contain species with limited observation data, making it difficult to assess their conservation status. One solution is to use information about co-occurring species to fill in these data gaps. For this project, an undergraduate student would help generate a database of multiple animal species that live within the cloud forests of the Northern Andes, researching each species’ habitat requirements and identifying its feeding habits (frugivore, insectivore etc.). This information will be combined with NASA satellite imagery of habitat characteristics to improve the conservation assessment of a data-deficient mammal species (Bassaricyon neblina), and to assess how cloud forest biodiversity may be affected by global change.
During the summer, the student will perform research with the Spatial and Community Ecology Lab at MSU (http://www.msu.edu/~plz) under the direction of Dr. Phoebe Zarnetske and PhD student Beth Gerstner. The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. The student will receive a stipend, living expenses, and travel expenses. APPLY: Underrepresented undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: February 1, 2018. Eligibility and Application: https://grad.msu.edu/srop. MSU SROP applications will be reviewed from November 1, 2017 through February 1, 2018. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For questions contact Beth Gerstner: gerst...@msu.edu. Beth Gerstner, Ph.D. student Michigan State University Department of Fisheries & Wildlife gerst...@msu.edu
