UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO - RIO PIEDRAS LUQUILLO LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
TROPICAL FOREST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE - CANOPY THINNING EXPERIMENT January 20th through May 22nd, 2015 Complete applications must be submitted by November 15, 2014 RESEARCH DESCRIPTION: The Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program of the University of Puerto Rico, International Institute of Tropical Forestry and collaborating institutions will carry out a tree canopy trimming experiment in plots established at the El Verde Field Station in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. The first trim manipulation was conducted in 2004 and the second trim manipulation will be completed by the end of 2014. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of distinct components of hurricane damage on forested ecosystem characteristics such as tree species composition, soil processes, and food web dynamics. For this project we need three (3) to five (5) volunteer interns to assist in field work that includes measuring seedling dynamics, taking litterfall measurements, conducting soil sampling, and other routine field measurements. See http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.04.024 and citations within for a detailed description of the project. Volunteers will spend long hours in the field (8am until 4 pm, Mon-Fri, with weekends free), often in very wet and muddy conditions. Studies of vertebrates and invertebrates will require work at night, so volunteers must be comfortable working in the forest at night using headlamps. While in Puerto Rico volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of tropical ecology from scientists involved in the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. REQUIREMENTS: College graduates with background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, preferably with field-work experience, knowledge of plant identification, and excellent organizational skills. Tropical experience useful, but is not required. We are currently only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities. PERIOD: January 20th through May 22nd, 2015. STIPEND: $600 per month to cover food and general living expenses. ACCOMMODATION: Free accommodation at El Verde Field Station in Puerto Rico. Housing is communal using shared resources. The field station is relatively isolated and transportation is available on a limited basis. TRAVEL: Refund of up to $750 towards a round-trip plane ticket from mainland USA, if not already living in Puerto Rico. NOTE: We are unable to provide any medical insurance. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested applicants must fill out the online Application Form (https://sites.google.com/a/ites.upr.edu/el-verde-field- station/internships/luquillo-forest-dynamics-plot-internship- opportunities/lfdp-internship-application). The following additional materials must also be submitted via email to Sarah Stankavich, the LTER coordinator, at [email protected]: 1) A letter of interest indicating why you wish to work in the tropical forest and describing your relevant experience. Include a statement that you understand your application is for a volunteer position; 2) Full resume; 3) University transcripts (scanned unofficial transcripts are fine). All email attachments must include the name of the applicant as part of the file name. Please indicate that you are applying for the CTE volunteer position in the subject line of the e-mail. Please email further inquiries to [email protected] Following phone interviews, we will inform successful applicants in early December. For more information about the Luquillo LTER research program and the El Verde Field Station, please see http://luq.lternet.edu/, and http://www.ites.upr.edu/EVFS/.
