The intern will be involved in investigating how environmental factors influence seedling mortality, photosynthetic carbon gain and growth, in both the forest at SERC, and in the greenhouse using potted seedlings. Independent projects are encouraged within this framework. At the end of the project the intern will be expected to present the results in an informal seminar and write a short report. Several recent studies have compared damage by herbivores and pathogens between genders in a number of dioecious species. The intern's responsibilities include assisting in all phases of field and laboratory work, conducting an independent project, and presenting the results in a seminar.
Projects begin in early to late spring.
Population studies include the evolutionary and ecological life history of herbaceous, especially terrestrial orchids and woodland herbs. The intern will conduct field sampling, reduce and analyze data, and be responsible for organizing and presenting in a seminar at the end of their internship. The goal of this project is to analyze factors regulating the abundance, distribution, and species composition of benthic invertebrates along the estuarine gradient of the Rhode River. The intern will have the opportunity to assist in all phases of field and laboratory work. Fieldwork involves benthic core samples, trawling of fish and crabs, plankton sampling, and experiments on predation and larval recruitment.