26 Aug, 2010
[Germany] PhD Scholarship in the Department of Plant Ecology
Posted by: In: PhD|Postgraduate|Scholarships in Europe
A PhD candidate is sought for the project Shade trees in cacao agroforestry systems: influence on roots and net primary production with the Department of Plant Ecology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
The project
The presence of shade trees in agroforests is often assumed to negatively affect growth and yield of cacao plants through competitive water use. In contrast, results from a previous collaborating project suggest no such negative effects due to clear differences in vertical partitioning of soil water uptake among cacao and shade trees. Our earlier project indeed showed different vertical rooting patterns and a different soil drought response of shade and cacao trees. However, there are still few information about systematic differences in fine root biomass, vertical rooting pattern, and below-ground productivity of cacao and shade tree species under different soil moisture regimes.
The proposed project intends to test the hypotheses that (1) the vertical segregation of the root systems of cacao and shade trees is more pronounced under low than under ample water supply, (2) both Gliricidia and native shade trees have deep root systems contributing to complementary soil water uptake, and (3) below-ground carbon partitioning into fine root biomass and turnover is higher in cacao agroforests at drier sites. The project shall compare cacao
agroforests with no shade tress, Gliricidia shade trees, and native shade trees under contrasting rainfall. We will investigate standing fine root biomass, vertical root distribution and the occurrence of ‘deep roots’, and above- and below-ground productivity.
The application of stable isotope (deuterium) techniques will help to clarify the importance of single ‘deep roots’ for the trees’ water uptake. We will particularly cooperate with a project addressing ecohydrology of these stands.
The contract
The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and currently financing has been approved for first 18 months, and may be extended to a total of 36 months. Gross salary is 65% of TVL 13.
The anticipated start date is 15 November 2010.
The applicant
The applicant should have a M.Sc. degree in biology, forestry, ecology, geography or related disciplines. Good English writing skills and an independent scientific work style are mandatory.
Team players with some living experience in South East Asia are most welcome.
Please send your application before 15 September 2010 to
Dr. D. Hertel, Department of Plant Ecology, (dhertel@gwdg.de).
The University of Göttingen seeks to increase the participation of women in areas in which they are currently underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages applications from female candidates.
Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favored.
Application Deadline : 15 September 2010
Web Link
Please kindly mention The-Scholarship.info when applying for this scholarship
