M.Sc. research opportunity – Forest management effects on carbon Applications are invited for a funded 2-year M.Sc. position in UNBC’s Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute collaborating with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD).
The project Forests play an important role in mitigating climate change, absorbing almost a third of anthropogenic emissions. Forests also support a large forest industry, which risks disrupting these carbon dynamics and potentially convert some forests from sinks to sources of carbon. However, empirical studies of alternate forest management effects on forest carbon stocks are sparse and often short-term. The Date Creek Experiment, established in 1992, offers an ideal opportunity to compare the longer-term carbon stock dynamics in unharvested old-growth forest compared with various levels of partial harvesting and clearcut. This work will contribute to the basic scientific knowledge of forest carbon and be highly relevant to decision makers interested in climate change mitigation. The student will conduct field work at the Date Creek Experiment (near Hazelton in north western BC) on the sites that were mature forests before large-scale and replicated harvest treatments. Field sampling will include trees, snags, coarse woody debris, and forest floor. The student will also have access to existing pre-harvest and post-harvest data to estimate carbon stocks in overtime either directly or based on existing models such as estimating tree biomass from prism plots. The student • Completion or expected completion of a bachelor’s degree in ecology, forestry, biology, or related subject. • Strong analytical skills. • Field work experience. • Driver’s license. • Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills. • Ability to work independently. Successful applicants will be working with Dr. Oscar Venter (University of Northern British Columbia), Caren Dymond (University of Calgary; B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD)), Erica Lilles (FLNRORD). Two years of funding are guaranteed for this position. Interested students should contact Dr. Oscar Venter for further information on this research opportunity and position. Applicants for this position are asked to send a letter of interest, detailed CV, transcripts, and names of 3 references to oscar.ven...@unbc.ca. The preferred start date for this position will be January 2019.
