Title: Volunteers needed for Ecophysiological Studies on Vascular Epiphytes in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Dates: 3-5 months during the 2018 dry season, which extends January to May
Location: Monteverde, Costa Rica
Description: Our overall objective is to understand how predicted and observed changes in climatic patterns may influence the hyper-diverse epiphyte communities in a tropical montane cloud forest region. We are seeking volunteers to assist with plant ecophysiological measurements on epiphytic vascular plants in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Volunteers will be involved with field measurements of water potential and sap flow, laboratory techniques to quantify turgor loss points of field-collected material, and data management associated with these field and laboratory tasks. Incumbents may also assist with greenhouse measurements to build relationships between water content and other physiological variables.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong background in botany from a college or university, be comfortable with fieldwork in tropical conditions, and be able to work independently as well as part of a small research team. Ideal but not required experience includes measuring traits associated with plant water balance, tree-climbing using rope-based techniques, and fluency in Spanish.
Expenses on site (i.e. food and housing) will be covered but we are unable to cover airfare.
If you are interested in this position, please contact Dr. Cameron Williams (treecam@gmail.com) who is the post-doc on the project or the PI, Dr. Sybil Gotsch (sgotsch@fandm.edu).