The team Freshwater Ecosystems offers possibilities for MSc research internships.
Subjects in Dutch
The following MSc thesis subject is available in 2009-2010:
Importance of macroinvertebrate dispersal for restoration of water bodies
Important factors predicting restoration success of a water body are dispersal potential of target species and the barriers organisms experience when colonizing a restored habitat. Existing information on potential and actual dispersal capacity of macroinvertebrates is largely anecdotal. Therefore, we are interested in:
• What is the most important dispersal mode for the different macroinvertebrate families?
• What are possible barriers to their dispersal?
• How can we enhance dispersal rates of target species in the restoration process?
• Will information on dispersal modes and times change the selection of target species or the way restoration measures are implemented?
There are several possibilities to participate in this research:
- Measuring the actual dispersal rate of macroinvertebrates in or near restored water bodies in the field
- Literature study of existing information in dispersal in aquatic organisms
- Development and field-testing of methods to monitor macroinvertebrate dispersal
Start date: any time
Preferred requirements: knowledge of ecological and statistical methods
Supervisors: Karin Didderen, Piet Verdonschot
Contact: Karin Didderen Karin.Didderen@wur.nl
The following subject is available in 2007-2008:
Diatom distribution through Europe in relation to climatic gradients
Background
Under the hypothesis that water temperature will increase by about 1-6 oC in 2100, the temperature regime of, for example, the Netherlands will become similar to the present temperature regime in north-mid of France.
The question is if climate change will actually influence the biogeography of diatoms and how changes in temperature will affect the fitness of individual species. If diatoms are unable to endure changing climate and climate change related conditions, the only option to avoid extinction is dispersal to a location with a more suited climate. A climate change may not only affect the current distribution of diatoms, thus extinction of certain taxa, but may also lead to immigration from elsewhere in Europe.
Method
To study the current and expected distribution pattern of diatoms over 400 samples from running waters of high ecological quality throughout the whole of Europe will be analysed.
Research questions
- Is there a geographic zonation in the distribution of diatoms over Europe, either north-south or east-west?
- If there is a geographic zonation, what are the driving factors for this zonation (altitude, geology, latitude, temperature)?
- How does the diatom community change along the latitudinal / temperature gradient?
- Are there specific diatom taxa that are sensitive to the temperature and thus climate change?
- How will future climate (in particular temperature) changes affect the biogeography of freshwater diatoms?
Contact
For more information, please contact Anna Besse: anna.besse@wur.nl