MASTER/BACHELOR INTERSHIP (Spring/Summer 2019)

Biodiversity impacts on forest ecosystems in a drying and warming

world

Context. Climate change models predict an increase in atmospheric temperatures of ≈ 5°C by

2100. Simultaneously, precipitation extremes are expected to be maintained or accentuated,

thus future droughts will be superimposed upon warmer conditions. Forests cover about 30%

of the Earth’s surface and provide many services to society. Climate change is expected to

alter carbon and water exchange between forest ecosystems and the environment with major

consequences on the functions and services that forests are providing. Yet, predictions on

how a warming and drying climate will affect forests are challenged by important lacks in

mechanistic understanding of species community dynamics. Particularly recognized

processes that could influence forest responses to climate change, but that are largely

misunderstood, are how the interactions among species influence forest reaction to warmer

droughts.

Objectives. The objectives of this project are to (i) assess the physiological processes by

which trees interact among each other under a changing climate, and (ii) determine the

consequences of these processes on forest responses to climatic stresses. To reach these

objectives, a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach using experimental and observational

analyses will be employed going from the individual tree to the ecosystem scale. The project

will use unique greenhouse facilities at the WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow

and Landscape Research) and field-based experiments along environmental gradients. This

work will use methods and theories from the fields of ecology, physiology and hydrology.

The project will give the student the opportunity to obtain new skills and to take part in a new

research program starting at WSL on a timely research topic. This internship is ideal for those

craving a career in the exciting, fast-paced world of biodiversity and climate change science.

The position will be based at WSL in Birmensdorf (10 minutes outside of Zurich) and will

entail experimental and laboratory work at the host institution. The student will also have the

opportunity to participate in research expeditions in several sites in southern France. The

position is open for Bachelor and Master students. Students will be giving a monthly

compensation. Housing options may be offered at the WSL if needed. Starting and ending

dates are flexible.

Keywords: biodiversity, climate change, drought, ecosystem functions and services, ecology,

forest ecosystems, plant physiology, warming.

Contact: Charlotte Grossiord, WSL, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, charlotte.grossiord@wsl.ch

Link: https://www.wsl.ch/de/projekte/forests-under-stress.html

Languages: French, English, German.