Topics for master's or bachelor's thesis

Projects 

• How is forest ground vegetation influenced by application of wood ash?

  Increased use of forest biofuels has raised the question of whether the wood ash produced should be returned to the forests after combustion or not. The rationale for returning wood ash to the forest is 1) to prevent or reduce negative effects of intensive biomass harvesting by recycling the nutrients that are retained in the wood ash, and 2) solving the issue of where to deposit the large quantities of ash that is produced when biofuel is used for energy production. Both bryophythes and vascular plants may, at least in the short-term perspective, be influenced by wood ash application. So far, the long-term effects are largely unknown. (read more) 

• Master theses on common cranes (Grus grus)

  In an ongoing project at the “Wildlife Damage Centre” we study movement, distribution and behavioural patterns of common cranes (Grus grus) in relation to food availability and other factors, such as availability of roosting sites, predation risk and human disturbance. Common cranes can cause severe damage to agricultural crops. The information obtained from our project can give valuable insights into ecological processes and may also be used to develop methods for reducing crop damage and conflicts between grazing birds and agriculture. (read more)

• Understanding the transmission route of infectious diseases via social contact networks in honey bees

  In recent years, the spread of infectious diseases such as pig and bird flu, tuberculosis, and foot and mouth disease has become an increased threat. To understand how factors such as contacts in the network, age, genetic relatedness, and immune competence affect disease transmission, we are developing a system with honey bees as the model organism. The study can be carried out as a short (15hp, candidate level) and  a long (30hp, master level) independent project. (read more)

• Thesis in the field of Wild boar research

  (read more - in swedish)

• Honey bees, Varroa mites, and viruses

  Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite that feeds on the haemolymph of honey bees. This project aims at investigating the virus dynamics in relation to changing populations of mites (the vector) and honey bees. (read more)

• Restoration of semi-natural grasslands in fragmented landscapes: effects on biodiversity

  In an ongoing project we investigate how the landscape affects plant and insect re-colonization and interaction following habitat restoration in semi-natural grasslands. Within the project there is an opportunity to do an individual project on master or bachelor level. (read more)

• Multivariate selection and human-induced environmental stress: adaptive genetic and plastic responses in the yellow dung fly

  In an ongoing research project (SUPAFLY) partly funded by EU we study resistance to multiple environmental stress and potential for evolutionary adaptation to ongoing climate change using of yellow dung flies (Scathophaga stercoraria). Dung flies provide valuable ecosystem services by degrading dung and recycling nutrients and are excellent model systems for studies of ecological and evolutionary processes. (read more)

• Vilka faktorer begränsar bladbaggar i jordgubbsplanteringar?

  Smultronlövbaggen Galerucella tenella och hjortronlövbaggen Galerucella sagittariae är viktiga skadeinsekter i ekologiska jordgubbsodlingar. Preliminära resultat visar att (1) parasitoiden Asecodes mento är en viktig naturlig fiende till smultronlövbaggen; (2) att parasitoiden är vanligare i jordgubbsfält som är lite äldre; (3) att tätheten av smultronlövbaggen är betydligt högre i glesa än i täta planteringar. Bladbaggarna begränsas alltså antingen av naturliga fiender eller av mellanartskonkurrens. (read more)

• Vegetation development and occurance of pollinating insects in field margins

  Aim of the study is to compare vegetation development and occurrence of pollinating insect in a number of field experiments with different treatments with those in ordinary narrow field margins and margins with spontaneous succession. In the widened field margins, wild meadow plants or fodder plants have been sown or bushes have been planted. The experiments were established ca 20 years ago in the vicinity of Uppsala and in Södermanland and have since then been investigated a couple of times. Questions asked were then: How can permanent field margins be established that encourage diverse fauna of insects and other invertebrates and at the same time limit weeds and pest organisms in agriculture? (read more)

• Population processes at species range margins:
   - effects of climate and landscape change
  

  An ongoing research project studies the interactive effects of landscape composition, habitat quality and climatic conditions, including micro-climate, on the population dynamics and distribution patterns of a rare butterfly species, Pyrgus armoricanus, at its northern range margin in southern Scandinavia. (read more) 

• Which factors affect the dragonfly community in ponds?
  

  In 2009, we surveyed dragonflies in ponds in the surroundings of Blentarp (Skåne). This gives the opportunity for carrying out projects on dragonflies based on field studies. Possible questions that could be answered are: how is the species composition affected by the vegetation, occurrence of fish, physical and chemical characteristics of the pond? Which are the relationship between the abundance of different species? How is the dragonfly community changing from one year to another? How strong is the correlation between which adult dragonflies that are observed around a pond and which dragonfly larvae that are in the water?
  
  Please contact: Thomas Ranius (thomas.ranius@ekol.slu.se) 

• Wood-dependent insects on clearcuts and burned areas
  

  We have several ongoing projects that deal with the insect fauna on clearcuts or in burned forests. One of the aims is to understand how forestry could be adapted to allow persistence of sun loving insects that naturally mainly occur after forest fires. We are also want to know what is needed for persistence of species strictly associated with burned wood. Our field studies are mainly conducted in the southern half of Norrland, but other regions may also be possible.
  
  If you feel this is interesting, please email Thomas Ranius (thomas.ranius@ekol.slu.se), and we will see if we can develop some more concrete plans for a project.