Grad Student Position Details
Project Title
Ecosystem-based forest management: biological legacies in naturally disturbed and managed forests
Degree Program
MSc
Supervisor
Dr. Charles Nock
Professorial Rank
Assistant Professor
Department
Renewable Resources
Project Start Date
04/30/2023
Project Description:
In Alberta, a diversity of forest types within the Boreal and Foothills Ecoregions are managed by our partners and offer significant ecological, economic and social benefits to Canada’s environment, communities, citizens and economy. Therefore, sustainably managing these forests is important provincially, nationally and internationally. As a basis for sustainable management, the forest sector is continually seeking to improve their understanding of forest ecosystems, their interrelated parts, and how they respond to disturbance. The University is a strong partner in this quest by focusing research efforts on key knowledge gaps and providing evidence-based solutions that will place our partners, and Canada, as world leaders in sound management of forest landscapes and the diversity of values they provide.
I have funding for a number of graduate students to work on a group of interlinked projects related to Ecosystem-based forest management (EBM), with a focus on the forests of Alberta. Recruited students will be part of a team exploring diverse aspects of EBM, including the emulation of natural disturbance by retention of forest structural characteristics. Potential topics of focus for comparison of post-fire and post-harvest pine forests in Alberta include: forest structural complexity and tree attributes in fire and harvest remnants, patterns of tree mortality and CWM, vascular plant species and functional diversity. Potential exists for fieldwork in 2022 or 2023 with start dates to be discussed with interested candidates. Applications for both MSc or PhD level thesis work will be considered. Please contact Dr. Charles Nock (nock at ualberta.ca) for details.
Keywords
forests, biodiversity, ecosystems
Contact Email
nock@ualberta.ca
Other Contact Information
Website
Stipend Amount/year