*Graduate Research Position **UNIVERSITY** OF **ALBERTA***
*/INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DROUGHT, GRAZING, AND ROOT DYNAMICS IN A FESCUE
GRASSLAND/*
Drought has been a common phenomenon across much of western
North America, with implications for both the conservation of native
grassland communities, and the sustainable utilization of this ecosystem
by the livestock industry. Despite the prevalence and importance of
drought on prairie vegetation, relatively little is known about the
factors that influence the ability of native fescue grassland to both
tolerate (or resist) drought effects, as well as its ability to recover
following the return of normal precipitation (i.e. its resilience).
Drought resistance and resilience are likely to be strongly influenced
by other disturbances, including defoliation, particularly as this tends
to intensify during periods of limited soil moisture. This study will
utilize a mini-rhizotron, rainout shelters, and manipulated grazing
regimes to experimentally examine the fundamental spatial and temporal
growth responses in rough fescue grasslands (above and below-ground)
relative to drought, defoliation, and their interaction, in order to
better understand the impact of these factors on the long-term
conservation of these areas. This research has clear implications for
conservation planners and the dominant land use industries across the
region. This project is an interdisciplinary project and will work
closely with academic staff in both Biological Sciences and Agriculture.
Funding for this project is in place, and we are seeking a
graduate research assistant (M.Sc. or Ph.D.; Ph.D. preferred) to
spearhead the design and conduct this investigation over a 3 year period
beginning in the spring of 2006. The successful applicant should have a
background in basic or applied ecology, plant biology, range science or
management, or related field, and be qualified for graduate studies.
The home department of this position will be Agricultural, Food, and
Nutritional Sciences in the faculty of Agriculture at the University of
Alberta. Applicants should have strong communication skills, be able to
work well with others, be conscientious, self-starters, and able to
spend considerable time in the field during peak data collection periods
(May August). A valid class 5 drivers license (or US equivalent) is
required. Stipends range from $1375 to $1580/mn (CAD), for the term of
2006-2009. Opportunities for additional funding after this term may
exist (TA, grants, etc). Interested individuals should send a cover
letter, resume describing relevant education, experience and
accomplishments, and the names of three references to either of the
individuals noted below.
Dr. Edward Bork
Department of Agricultural, Food, & Nutritional Science
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
780-492-3843
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dr. J.F. Cahill
Dept. of Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
780-492-3792
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/faculty/james_cahill/
