Master project 3: Magnitude and Fate of River Inputs into an Indonesian Archipelago, with special Regard to the Carbon Cycle in Mangrove and Seagrass Ecosystems The aim of this project is to quantify river input of particulate organic matter (POM) into a lagoon ecosystem, the Spermonde Archipelago in Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia. The archipelago is separated from open marine settings by a discontinuous barrier reef. Mangroves can be found along the mainland coast and on the largest island in the lagoon, Tanakeke. Seagrass meadows can also be found along the mainland coast and on Tanakeke, but grow on intertidal reef flats on many of the other islands in the lagoon as well. Riverine inputs of POM are assumed to be either metabolized, flushed out of the archipelago or stored in sediments. It has been shown elsewhere that significant amounts of carbon can be found in sediments below mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. This carbon is partly autochthonous (= produced locally by the vegetation) and partly allochthonous (= from outside sources and trapped because currents are slowed down by the submerged vegetation). Practical work in this master project would include taking water samples during both the Northwest and Southwest monsoon (“wet” and “dry” season, respectively). Samples will be taken in the rivers and on transects across the archipelago. This will be complemented by the measurements of primary production and the analysis of sediment samples taken across the archipelago, and by more detailed studies of selected mangrove and seagrass ecosystems where primary production, biomass and sediment composition will be analyzed. Basic facilities for the measurement of biomass etc. are available in Indonesia but more complex analysis (stable isotopes etc.) will have to be carried out in Germany. We offer professional supervision during field work in Indonesia (ca. 6 months) and excellent research facilities and professional supervision upon return to Germany at the Wadden Sea Station of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). Expenses for travelling and material will be covered. Upon the delivery of a dedicated work, authorship on a publication in a journal will be aspired. We are looking for a highly motivated student with an interest in tropical marine ecology. The applicant should have experience in ecological work and be able to work independently. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. We invite you to apply for this project and take the opportunity to set a foot in the exciting fields of tropical marine ecology. Application deadline: June 30, 2014. To apply, please send a motivation letter and CV to the contact address below. Contact: Dr. Dominik Kneer, Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research; [email protected], +49 4651 956-4220
