Reframing ecological disturbance as essential regulation processes for global change
Faculty mentor/Supervisor:
Elizabeth K Swanson
Email Address:
Department Affiliation:
Forest Ecosystems & Society
Project Location:
Remote or on site at field locations in the southern Willamette Valley Eugene area.
Project Description:
Our lab researches the interaction between how complex systems adapt to global change and the role of restoration in facilitating this adaptivity. The project the student will primarily be involved with is a study to assess how the timing of cattle grazing might effect invasive species fitness in Willamette Valley native prairie.
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform:
Work is diverse and involves botanical ID in the Willamette Valley, data entry, study set-up and take down, and report preparation. Students will have ample opportunity to apply their own ideas and practice the research process in its entirety. The student can also be involved in manuscript preparation with opportunity for co-authorship.
Hourly rate of pay:
14
Detail your mentorship plan:
I will provide mentorship throughout the entire process of the project. I'm hoping this project will attract a student that is interested in the research process from beginning to end and I can work with them throughout. I plan to have weekly meetings and be available for questions of all kinds. I find that when a person is in their undergraduate stage they are exploring a lot of options in career and life. I think mentoring a student is about more than just the project itself. Holistic mentoring and being open to giving career advice or life advice if the students reaches out for support in those ways is just as important as the learning that takes place within the project. In the beginning of the project I plan to assess the students goals for themselves personally and for their careers. I know first hand these goals can and often do change so I think fostering a sense of adaptivity in the students is my goals as a mentor and aligns well with the research theme in our lab.