Ecological topics that includes field/lab component

Insect biodiversity and species interactions and timing: pollinators, herbivores and their natural enemies 

Topic: Insects (and other arthropods) play important roles in ecosystems. There is an incredible diversity of insect species. My research focuses on the importance of biodiversity for plant-insect interactions, which build dynamic and complex  networks. If this general topic sounds exciting to you, you are welcome to develop a thesis topic together with me, taking your specific interests into account. 

One of my current projects, which is particularly suitable for contributions by thesis projects, uses the IDENT tree diversity experiment, with one site in Freiburg (convenience!) And other sites in Canada (adventure!).

I am also super excited about wild bees, their flower preferences and how it interacts with flower opening and closure.

Some specific ideas:

•   Herbivore (aphids, bugs, hoppers, weevils, bark beetles) assessment in IDENT: either new fieldwork or working with existing samples (eg species identification)
•  Do generalist herbivores prefer native or exotic trees? Feeding choice experiments
• Response of spider communities to tree diversity: species identification
• Aphid population dynamics and predators: field experiments
•  Pollen analysis to reveal bee species resource choice in relation to competition or time: lab work with existing samples

Suitable as: MSc or BSc projects.

Requirements: Enthusiasm about (fundamental) ecology and willingness to engage with a complex topic. Ability to develop a sound and well-organized analysis in R. Some knowledge of entomology (but also see my “computer-only topics”, where this is not required).

Time: Topics working with existing samples or data can start any time. Studies that include own field work have to start in spring or summer.

Contact: Dr. Jochen Fründ , jochen.fruend@biom.uni-freiburg.de , 0761 / 203-3747 (Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Faculty Env. And Nat. Res.)     

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