Edge to interior: Zooming into New Zealand forest canopies

Be part of a project that will provide valuable information on how the height of trees changes from the edge to interior of forests and consider implications for tree biomass and carbon. By understanding the effects of edges on tree growth and health we can provide vital insights into protecting our native forests.  This project is for those who have a keen interest in geospatial analysis and wished to extend their familiarity with the R language for data analysis.

Project Background

New Zealand’s forests serve as critical carbon sinks, effectively sequestering a substantial amount of carbon and contributing to climate change mitigation. However, anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and changes in land-use have led to an increase in forest edges. Trees in forest edges often experience altered growing conditions compared with forest interiors. This can include differences in temperature, wind, availability of nutrients, and competition. These differences can have profound effects on tree growth, overall forest health, and consequently the ability of trees to sequester carbon.

Project Overview

For this summer Bioprotection Aotearoa is searching for a candidate that wishes to extend their familiarity with R language for data analysis and has a keen interest in geospatial analysis, to aid in assessing ecosystem health. This project aims to identify the impact of forest edges on tree development, while examining how this relationship changes among various tree species and the geographical location of different forests. When actively participating in this project the Summer Scholar will provide valuable information on how the height of trees changes from the edge to interior of forests and consider implications for tree biomass and carbon. By understanding the effects of edges on tree growth and health we can provide vital insights into protecting our native forests. This project allows scholars to contribute to the work of Pou Titirangi which aims to delve into what defines a healthy and productive ecosystem.

Opportunities for learning

The Summer Scholar will be based at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (Lincoln). The project will provide the successful candidate with skills in managing and working with large datasets and extend their ability in R and GIS. Using high resolution LiDAR, forest inventory, and remote sensing data, the successful applicant will model relationships between distance from the forest edge and tree heights across Aotearoa and examine how the geometry of forests change over time.

Connected Research

Falling under the larger pou, Pou Titirangi, this project will complement the work being done in Project 1.1. The use of remote sensing techniques across a wide range of forests at a national scale help feed into this the research conducted within Project 1.1 which aims to identify the drivers of forest health at multiple spatial scales.

Scholarship Amount

A total of $6000 tax free is available for each scholarship. Fortnightly payments will be made for the duration of the scholarship, with the final payment of $1000 on receipt of the approved student project report.

Application Process

Please download and complete the BA Summer scholar student application form 2023 (Word doc).  Send your completed application form, along with a CV and a Cover Letter detailing why you feel you would be suitable for this position.

Along with your CV and cover Letter, send your completed application form to Elena Johnson [email protected] before the closing date Sunday 15th October, 2023