Project Description:
Neotropical forests are changing in biomass, productivity, and community composition, in part due
to human disturbance. The changes are of global consequence, as neotropical forests account for
the largest terrestrial share of carbon uptake from the atmosphere. Lianas (woody vines) influence
tropical forest dynamics by reducing tree growth and reproduction, and increasing tree mortality.
Recently, tropical liana abundance and biomass has increased in tropical forest surveys, while trees
have increased relatively less or declined. This research project aims to develop a method to detect
liana canopy cover at the landscape scale, quantify its extent, and verify whether it has increased
over recent decades. The project utilizes a combination of satellite- and aircraft-based remote
sensing imagery linked to a ground-based forest census to quantify liana abundance in a young
tropical forest in Panama.
Internship Description:
Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with a PhD student to carry out a major research
project. The work will involve setting up a network of small forest census plots. The intern will learn
to survey and mark forest census plot boundaries, identify lianas, measure liana and tree size,
estimate liana canopy cover, and other data collection. The intern will also learn to use survey-grade
GPS instrumentation, and will learn remote sensing field verification techniques. The study is being
conducted in forests in central Panama managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
(STRI). Interns will have a chance to interact/network with graduate students, postdoctoral
researchers, and staff scientists from STRI on a weekly basis. Interns will also have the opportunity to
attend weekly research seminars at STRI. Apply to be a part of the world’s leading tropical research
community today!
Qualifications:
Ability to work long days in the field under tropical conditions (intense heat, humidity, rain, sun,
biting/stinging insects). Background in biology or ecology and Spanish language experience are
preferred but not required. This position is intended for current or recent undergraduate students
looking to gain tropical field research skills, therefore stipend will be commensurate with previous
experience and background. Internship starts early July and will run through the end of August.
Please send cover letter (including earliest start date) and resume (with references) to Dave Marvin,
marvs@umich.edu. See also: http://www-personal.umich.edu/
