Postdoctoral position in forest biodiversity and ecosystem function

We are seeking a candidate who is interested in forest management, biodiversity and ecosystem function to play a key role as a postdoctoral researcher within the NSERC IRC in Ecosystem-based Forest Management. The overall goal is to provide the scientific knowledge basis for development of forest management approaches to improve the resilience of forest ecosystems, and the diversity of values they provide, under climate change.

The emphasis of the postdoctoral work will be on 1) synthesis of integrated datasets (plant diversity, structure, CWD) from new field research comparing managed and naturally disturbed forests, and 2) synthesis of long-term integrated datasets from the large-scale EMEND forest biodiversity experiment.

1) Ongoing research in the IRC focuses on comparing naturally (fire) and anthropogenically (harvest) disturbed forests in Alberta, with an emphasis on aspen and pine dominated forests. The successful candidate would assist with student mentoring of research comparing the structure and function of fire skips and harvest residuals with a view to informing retention practices in support of forest biodiversity. Design of additional research by the candidate that complements their interests will be encouraged. The position is planned for an initial term of 2 years with a third year possible and annual extensions granted based on progress towards agreed upon goals. The position includes funding to support travel for field research and communication of research results at conferences.

2) EMEND has been a focal point for the study of diverse aspects of forest ecosystem ecology for two decades. Core data sets collected every five years across spruce, aspen and mixedwood forest cover types include: diversity of tree species, shrubs, beetles and vascular plants. In addition, tree regeneration, forest productivity, forest carbon and CWM data have been collected. However, to date, there has not been a broad-scale effort to synthesize these valuable datasets. This will involve collaboration with U of A and Canadian Forest Service scientists contributing to the synthesis, including Ellen Macdonald, David Langor, and Jaime Pinzon to name a few.

Qualifications: We are looking for a highly collaborative individual with strong quantitative skills, and experience analyzing forest biodiversity, carbon, productivity, or structure data would be an asset in developing analyses of potential tradeoffs and synergies. Knowledge of methods of analyzing ecosystem multifunctionality would be an asset. A strong publication record is desirable.

The Ecosystem-based Forest Management lab is committed to serving the communities and forests of Alberta in our research activities. We value our collaborations across Canada that bring a National scale and perspective to our work. Finally, our research also benefits from international collaborations with colleagues from around the globe. The lab is exceptionally well equipped with recent additions of a drone platform (lidar, multispectral), TLS and microclimate monitoring sensors.

We offer a competitive salary and health and supplemental benefits. The City of Edmonton maintains an affordable cost of living with a high quality of life. Situated along the North Saskatchewan river, the river valley is one of the largest urban green spaces in North America. Banff and Jasper offer unprecedented mountain experiences within driving distance of Edmonton.

Interested candidates should contact Dr. Charles Nock (nock@ualberta.ca) for more information.

We support equity, diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Full job advertisement here.

PhD position in terrestrial laser scanning for understanding tree allometric variation and aboveground carbon storage

Project Background: Canada's western boreal forest region represents a globally significant carbon pool. However, increases in aridity in recent decades have caused region-wide losses of forest carbon as moisture stress has both reduced productivity (slowed tree growth) and increased mortality. These changes pose a significant threat as warming temperatures and greater aridity together exacerbate the risk of fire, predispose trees to attack by insect pests, reduce supplies of merchantable timber, and trigger damaging climate change feedbacks when carbon stocks are released to the atmosphere. The goal of this project is to better understand the climate sensitivity of the western boreal through an extensive survey of ground plots and by utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning to (1) evaluate how the effects of climatic water availability on the growth and survival of individual trees vary among species, with local competition, and with site hydrology; and (2) examine how climatic water availability and local competition influence partitioning of growth within crowns and in turn allometric models for aboveground biomass. Results from the project will provide an assessment of the climate risks to boreal forests in western Canada, including potential for decreased productivity, more extensive dieback, and changes in standing volume and carbon storage. We will translate these results into actionable information that will help the forest industry adapt to increasing levels of moisture stress.

PhD project description: We are seeking a PhD student to our team that includes Dr. Mark Vanderwall and a PhD student at the University of Regina, Mike Michaelian (Canadian Forest Service), Dr. Charles Nock (University of Alberta) and forest scientists with the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The focus of the second PhD students research at U of A would be on developing more accurate estimates of aboveground biomass and productivity in stands that have experienced varying levels of moisture stress, to facilitate clearer assessments of changes in carbon stocks over time. This would include learning methods of 3D tree and forest level information utilizing terrestrial laser scanning (Leica RTC360), working to scan field plots and collect validation data, and fitting 3D models using software (quantitative structure models) to predict tree volumes and in turn biomass.

Candidate profile: We are seeking a candidate with a MSc degree and ideally experience collecting data on tree and forest structure. Strong candidates with a BSc searching to do a MSc may also be considered. Experience working with 3D methods of data acquisition (TLS, UAV) would be an asset. A strong quantitative skill set and experience in R and or other software is desired. Evidence of motivation and an ability to communicate science in publications or conference presentations would also be an asset.

Qualifications: class 5 non-graduated drivers license or equivalent or ability to obtain equivalent, ability to work independently in the field with a field assistant, willingness to travel and work in remote locations of the boreal forest.

Please contact Dr. Charles Nock, nock@ualberta.ca, for more details. The position will remain open until filled.

PDF version here

Tree diversity, ecosystem function and forest resilience to drought (PhD, MSc opportunities)

Forests provide a multitude of essential services to humanity. Forest productivity has long been of interest due to the value of wood as a commodity, and more recently due to the central role of forests in the global carbon cycle. Enhanced productivity of mixtures of tree species, or overyielding, has often been linked to the complementary use of light or nutrients by tree species possessing different traits or characteristics. In particular, complementarity in mixtures of conifer (evergreen) and deciduous (broadleaf) species has been linked to overyielding in both managed forests and in field experiments.

As part of our ongoing research as members of TreeDivNet and the IDENT network, we are searching for students interested in conducting PhD, MSc research on a few key priority areas over the next five years. Students will leverage existing field experiments to investigate: (1) the influence of allometric uncertainty of tree biomass estimation on diversity effects, (2) the roles of spatial and temporal complementarity for overyielding in tree communities, and, (3) how diversity influences the resilience and temporal stability of community productivity.

Potential MSc research would utilize tree-ring and growth analysis of samples to be collected from an existing long-term experiment with aspen and spruce mixtures that is situated 1 hour east of Edmonton. PhD Research projects in most cases are planned to include fieldwork at multiple sites in collaboration with colleagues in the US, Canada and Germany (topics 1 & 2 above).

Ecosystem-based forest management: biological legacies in naturally disturbed and managed forests

In Alberta, a diversity of forest types within the Boreal and Foothills Ecoregions are managed by our partners and offer significant ecological, economic and social benefits to Canada’s environment, communities, citizens and economy. Therefore, sustainably managing these forests is important provincially, nationally and internationally. As a basis for sustainable management, the forest sector is continually seeking to improve their understanding of forest ecosystems, their interrelated parts, and how they respond to disturbance. The University is a strong partner in this quest by focusing research efforts on key knowledge gaps and providing evidence-based solutions that will place our partners, and Canada, as world leaders in sound management of forest landscapes and the diversity of values they provide.

I have funding for a number of graduate students to work on a group of interlinked projects related to Ecosystem-based forest management (EBM), with a focus on the forests of Alberta. Recruited students will be part of a team exploring diverse aspects of EBM, including the emulation of natural disturbance by retention of forest structural characteristics. Potential topics of focus for comparison of post-fire and post-harvest pine forests in Alberta include: forest structural complexity and tree attributes in fire and harvest remnants, patterns of tree mortality and CWM, vascular plant species and functional diversity. Potential exists for fieldwork in 2022 or 2023 with start dates to be discussed with interested candidates. Applications for both MSc or PhD level thesis work will be considered. Please contact Dr. Charles Nock (nock at ualberta.ca) for details.

International Dual Degree Program

TRANSFOR-M

A Transatlantic Master program leading to dual degrees in Forestry, Environmental or Conservation Sciences. TRANSFOR-M combines a Master’s program at the University of Alberta with one of seven English-language Master's programs in Italy, Austria, Germany, UK, or Finland.

Each student will spend one year in Europe in an English-language Master program and one year in Canada. They prepare a thesis or research project is in the second year of their program. At the University of Alberta, participating students have the choice to focus on degrees in five general topic areas:

Our lab is also very interested in hosting students interested in pursing a research thesis topic related to forest ecology and management through the international dual degree program TRANSFOR-M. In the past we have hosted students from The University of Freiburg at U of A.

More information on the program, including eligibility and scholarships can be found here. If you are interested in the program and potentially topics we conduct research on, send us an email (nock at ualberta.ca)