We are seeking a Master’s student for a 30, 45, or 60 credit thesis opportunity starting Spring / Summer 2024 to explore the relationship between ambient weather conditions, floral microclimates and resources, and pollinators. Field work will involve floral resource collection and pollinator identification and sampling.

Background:

Climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of heat waves, a cause of severe stress to insect pollinator communities. Pollinators can to some extent self-regulate their body temperatures but are also known to depend on their thermal environment. However, conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on biodiversity and related ecosystem services are still lacking.

Semi-natural grasslands are habitats which provide diverse resources for insect pollinator nesting and foraging. These grasslands can vary in characteristics such as topographic orientation, tree and shrub cover, and types of vegetation, all of which can create microclimates which buffer or amplify ambient temperatures. We hope to determine which landscape features, via their influence on microclimate, are related to pollinator distribution and behavior.

Project description:

In this project we will evaluate the potential of microclimates created by heterogeneity in semi-natural grassland vegetation and topography as buffers against high ambient temperature conditions and a means of environmental temperature regulation for pollinators. We will use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture the microclimates, vegetation structure, and terrain of semi-natural grasslands. We will explore pollinator distribution, behavior, and activity in relation to these microclimates and determine the effect of microclimates on floral resource quality and plant surface temperatures.

You will join us in the field in identifying pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, as well as taking measurements and samples from flowering plants. You will learn to develop a research question of your own within the project framework and develop important scientific skills as part of your Master’s studies.

Are you interested?

If you would like to know more about this position and working with insect pollinators please contact Arrian Karbassioon (arrian.karbassioon@cec.lu.se) and William Sidemo Holm (william.sidemo_holm@cec.lu.se) for more information.

Uppdaterat: Nina Reistad | 2024-04-23