Northern
temperate and boreal peatlands constitute a major carbon store, and
their carbon balance has implications for the current discussion on
climate change. A large proportion of these peatlands are formed by,
and dominated by Sphagnum (peat mosses). Their ability to create an
environment that is wet, acid and anoxic is crucial for the development
and maintenance of peatlands and for the storage of peat. Dominance is
by some 20 species. Largely these are the same in Eurasia and N
America, and therefore detailed knowledge of the species is applicable
over the whole northern hemisphere. These species show niche
differentiation along a few environmental gradients (pH, water level,
light). The realized niches (patterns of occurrence in the field) are
well described, but the fundamental niches representing the
physiological tolerance of the species are well known only for few
species.
In this project niche diversification is studied by
transplant experiments covering large biogeographic, climatic and
environmental ranges and including most of the dominant Sphagnum
species and made with and without contact with congeneric competitors.
Controlled laboratory experiments can be used for physiological
tolerance measurements. In both field and laboratory experiments,
responses can be growth measurements and also ecophysiological
responses such as chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic capacity.
To study how the niches have evolved and diversified the candidate
will cooperate with our research partners at Duke University
specializing in Sphagnum phylogeny. The candidate will link with
on-going research on functional traits in Sphagnum in which growth and
decomposition are key species components used to explain the ecological
role of Sphagnum in the northern peatlands.
Candidates should
have a master degree in ecology. Proficiency in English is a
requirement. The candidate should have a keen interest in plant
population and community ecology. Knowledge about peatlands, bryophytes
and plant ecophysiology are considered as merits.
The
applications should include a letter of motivation for PhD studies and
for this topic, as well as a description of previous education, research
interests and research experience. It should further include a CV,
authorized copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, and
contact information (phone, email) for at least two references. Relevant
publications (including MSc thesis) should be enclosed.
The
postgraduate training comprises four years of full time studies. The
successful candidate will receive a postgraduate fellowship the first
year (15500 SEK/month) and a postgraduate position year 2-4 (currently
24100-27500 SEK/month). The position can be combined with up to 20% of
teaching assistantship, which will then prolong the position
accordingly.
For more information contact Professor Håkan Rydin (phone +46 18 471 2854, Hakan.Rydin@ebc.uu.se).
Union representatives are Anders Grundström, Saco-rådet, phone
+4618-471 53 80 and Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST, phone +4618-471 19 96 and
Stefan Djurström, Seko, phone +4618-471 33 15.
