Volunteer Positions in Cloud Forest Ecophysiology

*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

(
cwillia5@gmail.com) who is the post-doc on the project or the PI, Dr. Sybil
Gotsch (
sgotsch@fandm.edu).