The DAntonio Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara is seeking an undergraduate student interested in research to participate in a National Science Foundation REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) grant for summer 2012. The REU student will be part of a larger research project examining the long-term impacts of invasive grasses in dry forests of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the potential for restoration of sites degraded by grass invasions and fire. Invasive non-native plants can exert strong effects on ecosystems, but long term studies of impacts are rare. This project involves studying the impacts of African grasses on soil nitrogen cycling, primary productivity and growth of native and non-native plants in sites on the island of Hawaii that were invaded by exotic grasses in the 1980s and studied by the DAntonio lab in the 1990s. Current work involves soil sampling and plant productivity surveys to re-evaluate nitrogen budgets and N cycling rates 20 years after initial measurements and experimental evaluation of conditions that could promote native species growth in degraded sites. Towards that goal we have established a large seedling outplant experiment that evaluates the response of native and non- native woody species to different levels of soil N and competition with the African grasses. We seek a motivated undergraduate student to develop an independent project that fits into the larger scope of the research. Potential projects include (1) investigating remnant native seed banks in degraded, grass-invaded sites, (2) investigating soil quality associated with different potential nurse plants for restoration of native species, (3) performing greenhouse studies to measure plant traits correlated with woody plant-seedling success in the outplanting experiment, or (4) investigations of C cycling to complement our N cycling work. The REU student will be expected to work with the PIs to learn the study system and design his/her independent study, gather data and prepare a final report.
The project is based in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii (aka Big Island). The student will live in Volcano Village, Hawaii, working closely with Drs. Stephanie Yelenik (post-doc on the project) and Carla DAntonio as well as working with other assistants. A stipend of $400/week will be provided as well as housing and assistance with airfare if needed. Eligible candidates must be a US citizen/permanent resident and currently enrolled in a college/university. Prior field experience is not necessary although you must have taken a basic ecology course and you must be in good shape for hiking to field sites. The student will be expected to begin work June 4th and complete the internship August 15th. To apply, please send: 1) a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and any unique qualifications for it, 2) a CV or resume, 3) an unofficial copy of your college transcript, and 4) the names and e-mail addresses of two academic references to Stephanie Yelenik ([email protected]) no later than April 1st, 2012.
