Project abstract: 

Tropical forests host incredible biodiversity, and by taking up and storing large quantities of carbon from the atmosphere they play an important role in mitigating anthropogenic climate change. As temperatures are predicted to increase significantly during the current century, it will be important to understand how elevated temperatures will affect basic functions of tropical trees that enable the forests to perform the important biodiversity and carbon cycle services. In the Forest Biology lab we study temperature effects on photosynthesis, respiration, leaf survival, and plant reproduction. In this project, the goal is to establish how temperature affects carbon uptake in photosynthesis. How is the temperature sensitivity affected by drought, and what is the role of acclimation? The fellow on this project will investigate how species differ in the sensitivity to temperature of their photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and will help testing the effect of experimental warming of leaves in the upper forest canopy on their photosynthesis. The fellow will acquire or strengthen skills in field experimentation, plant ecophysiology, basic data analysis, and tropical forest ecology.

Required skills:

Basic understanding of plant/forest ecology; willingness to work outdoors under challenging conditions, including in the heat on the canopy crane (i.e., no fear of heights); interest in tinkering with electronics would be a bonus, but is not required; and ability and interest to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
 
 Location: Gamboa and Tupper

Principal Investigator: Martijn Slot