Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services from Bioenergy Cropping Systems

Kellogg Biological Station, in partnership with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) is offering 3 Department of Energy Research Experiences for Undergraduates (DOE-REU) in Summer 2012.

Students will will be in residence at the field station and will work with a mentor on an individual research project, and participate in regular discussions with researchers focusing on the environmental, ecological, and economic implications of alternative biofuel practices.

In addition, students will participate in a Research Methods in Ecology seminar where they will develop skills necessary to conduct independent research.  Students will present their research finding in a community-wide poster session at the end of the program.

• Influence of soil trace gas emissions on plant productivity
• Drought tolerance of switch grass clones
• Managing grasslands for production and diversity

This program is 10 weeks long (28th May to Aug 3rd, 2012).

Compensation:

• $4,250 stipend plus free room and board
• Up to $400 to cover transportation to and from KBS
• Up to $250 for research expenses

Qualifications: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing in a biological, environmental, or agricultural science.  You must be a U.S. citizen with undergraduate status to participate in these programs.

Info and Application forms:

APPLY HERE

• Learn more about research at GLBRC

We invite applications from highly motivated individuals, and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in the sciences.

The funding agency (DOE) requires that we give preference to students from minority-serving institutions, small colleges, and universities that provide limited research experiences for students.  Students enrolled at research-intensive institutions can be considered for these positions, but should provide an explanation why the KBS REU program specifically meets their interests.

Questions about the GLBRC program should be sent to the program coordinator, Rachel Prunier.

Don't forget to check out our other KBS internships and REUs!

Influence of soil trace gas emissions on plant productivity.

Mentors: Drs. G.P. Robertson and Ilya Gelfand.

Project: As part of our effort to understand ecological implications of soil trace gas emissions we are proposing to test interaction between soils NO_x emissions and plant functioning. The basic hypothesis underlying the proposed research is that soil NO_x emissions may have direct effects on plants, particularly on stomatal conductance (i.e. gases exchange by plants). Soil emissions of NO_x usually happen when upper soil layer is dried out. NO_x molecules are one of the key regulators of stomatal closure. This mechanism potentially can initiate “drought” like response of plants, especially in soils liable to frequent droughts in upper part of the profile. This response may have effect on plant productivity in mesic ecosystems.

Besides this potential interaction, absorbed NO_x may play significant role as an N source for plants. The latter, may have large sequences for N availability for the plants, but currently largely overlooked by ecologists.

Requirements: Willingness to perform field work, and be familiar with N cycle and basic plant physiology (gas exchange). However, if needed additional training will be provided.

Drought tolerance of switch grass clones

Mentor: Dr. Justin Kunkle

Project:  Despite growing interest in using switchgrass for biofuel production throughout the United States, there is little information about the basic physiological ecology of this candidate crop, especially under stressful growing conditions.  Drought events are likely to be exacerbated by future climate change, and so it is important to identify species/clones with morphological and physiological traits that are associated with drought tolerance.  Field studies will be done to assess the drought tolerance of different clones of switchgrass and to determine what traits are best predictors of drought tolerance under different types of management.

Requirements: No specific requirements beyond an interest in the topic, although students with pertinent coursework will be preferred.

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