Topics for Theses
On this page you will find topics for Diploma or Master Theses as currently offered at the Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Research. If you cannot find an appropriate topic, please don't hesitate to directly ask the scientific assistants.
At the moment, the following theses topics are offered:
Global climate change exposes our forest trees to changing environmental conditions: increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation in summer will impact the forest ecosystem profoundly. These climatic changes will affect trees not only directly but also the interchange with soil organisms (symbiotic mycorrhizae and free-living microbes), and as a consequence the nutrient supply of trees.
Within the research association
KLIFF (Climate impact and adaptation research in Lower Saxony) the influence of decreasing precipitation on these interactions will be investigated. This offered thesis shall focus on the influence of decreasing soil moisture on the N and P cycle in European beech forests and offers the opportunity to get a taste of a highly up-to-date, interdisciplinary research topic. The work will include investigations on the microbial activity, supply with organic nutrient sources and mineralization. Many background data are already available. This thesis prepares for a later expert (soil protection) or scientific function.
Possible beginning: spring/summer 2012
Preconditions:
-interest in a combination of field and lab work
-ability for precise analytical investigations
-an own car is advantageous
If interested or for further questions please contact
Dr. Ina Meier, Dipl.-Biol. Florian Knutzen
Phone: 0551-395712
Email: imeier1 (at) uni-goettingen.de, florian.knutzen (at) biologie.uni-goettingen.de
Untere Karspüle 2, Room 1.223
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High cutting intensities have resulted in a decrease of species diversities in grasslands, which used to be among the most species-rich ecosystems in Central Europe. This dramatic species loss likely has consequences for important ecosystem functions, e. g. biomass production and carbon storage. Within the cluster of excellence “Functional Biodiversity Research” a diversity experiment with different species combinations will be created in the
Grassland Management Experiment GRASSMAN , to investigate the effects of decreasing species diversities across a long diversity transect. At the centre of the investigations will be above- and belowground biomass production and carbon storage of different herbaceous and monocotyledonous species. This thesis prepares for a later function in nature conservancy or science.
Possible beginning: preliminary work immediately, field work starting in spring 2012
Preconditions:
-good species knowledge desirable
-willingness for field work
-an own car is advantageous
If interested or for further questions please contact
Dr. Ina Meier, M.Sc. Carola Feßel
Phone: 0551-395712
Email: imeier1 (at) uni-goettingen.de, cfessel (at) gwdg.de
Untere Karspüle 2, Room 1.223
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Global climate change is a consequence of increasing CO
2 concentrations in the atmosphere, which at the same time advance the growth of trees. Trees produce more biomass with increasing CO
2 and thus fix more carbon from the atmosphere, but only until other nutrients are limiting. Phosphorus is next to nitrogen one of the major nutrients for plants which is potentially limiting.
This offered thesis will investigate the influence of elevated atmospheric CO
2 concentrations on the phosphorus activity in the soil. For this purpose the activity of a phosphorus releasing enzyme has been recorded optically with membranes in the
Duke Forest FACE (free air carbon dioxide enrichment) Experiment . The Duke FACE experiment is located in a Loblolly pine forest in the warm-temperate south (North Carolina) of the USA. This thesis offers the opportunity to become acquainted with this international major research project.
Possible beginning: immediately
Preconditions:
-good knowledge of plant ecology
-interest in graphic programs
If interested or for further questions please contact
Dr. Ina Meier
Phone: 0551-395712
Email: imeier1 (at) uni-goettingen.de
Untere Karspüle 2, Room 1.223
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The role of mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.) for biodiversity and element cycles in coniferous mountain forest is little studied. In many northern coniferous forests, different species of mountain ash occur as accessory species. Mountain ash is thought to play a specific role for biodiversity, as, for instance, several epiphytes characteristic of this tree species are rare or absent on the bark of conifers. In addition, humus formation by decaying leaves is thought to facilitate forest regeneration.
The study area is in the Harz National Park (Germany, Sachsen-Anhalt) on the eastern slope of the Mount Brocken. Within a high-montane spruce forest (ancient woodland) a minimum of 10 trees will be selected. Epiphyte vegetation on these trees and ground vegetation around the trees are to be analyzed. The same methods are applied on nearby spruce trees (Picea abies Karst.). Thereby, the effect of mountain ash on plant diversity in the spruce forest is assessed.
The study is an important contribution to the ecological understanding of natural spruce forests. With regard to nature conservation, the study might provide arguments for a stronger propagation of broad-leaved trees in the Harz National Park
Start: at any time
Qualifications required:
- Interest in field work
- Basic knowledge of plant identification.
Please contact:
Dr. Mascha Jacob,
Dipl.-Biol. Sebastian Dittrich
phone: 0551 - 39 12178
mail: mjacob@gwdg.de
mail: sdittri@gwdg.de
Department of Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences
Untere Karspüle 2, room 1.227
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Global warming in central Asia is far above the global average. In Mongolia, forests were limited due to drought even before the onset of late 20th-century warming. Therefore, the borderline between the earth's largest forested area, the Siberian taiga, and the central Asian steppe is located in Mongolia. An extension of the steppe into the forest due to increasing aridity would be fatal both for Mongolia's biodiversity and humans, because a significant proportion the population lives from pastoral nomadism. Therefore, we investigate as to whether tree growth and forest regeneration are already limited today in order to predict potential future changes.
The work includes the computer-based tree-ring analysis to detect the climate dependence of tree growth and regeneration and to determine the age structure of forest stands. Samples for analyses have already been collected.
Start: at any time
Qualifications:
- Good background in plant ecology.
- Ability to work precisely and accurately.
- Special background in dendrochronology or dendroecology is not required.
Please contact:
Dr. Choimaa Dulamsuren
Telefon: 0551/39-5711
eMail: dchoima@gwdg.de
Grisebachstr. 1, Raum 0.118
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Lichens can survive at climatically and chemically extreme habitats. They are adapted to extremely cold and hot conditions, high UV-radiation, nutrient depletion or high heavy metal stress. While mechanisms of the tolerance of coldness, heat and UV-radiation are well understood, the adaptation to nutrient-poor or heavy metal-rich habitats still requires further research efforts. So called lichens substances play a central role in adaptation mechanisms. This is a group of more than 800 secondary metabolites, which are exclusively produced by lichens. Studying their function is the objective of the present study.
Start: any time
Qualifications:
- Interest in biochemical and eco-physiological lab work
- Ability to work precisely and accurately
- Good background in plant ecology
- Special background in the biology of lichens is not required
Please contact:
PD Dr. Markus Hauck
Telefone: 0551-39 5721
eMail: mhauck@gwdg.de
Untere Karspüle 2, Room 1.224
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