2024 Spring and Summer: LTER Plant Community Ecology Internships

Research Overview:

Cedar Creek LTER research examines ecological processes occurring from the individual physiological level to the ecosystem level in response to (1) a variety of climate change scenarios including elevated CO2, increased temperature, increased nitrogen deposition, biodiversity loss, and altered precipitation patterns; (2) land management practices including prescribed burning and agricultural production; and (3) varied land use histories. Some of these projects include the Big Biodiversity experiment, BioCON, and FAB (https://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/research). Research is headed by a number of faculty from research institutions across the United States. These LTER projects are funded by the National Science Foundation and other sources. For more information about LTER please visit https://lternet.edu/.

 Independent Project Opportunities:

As part of these positions, you will have the opportunity to conduct your own research project with the guidance of a graduate student mentor. You can go through the entire research experience from writing a proposal to data collection to presenting your results at a symposium at CCESR. There will also be workshops on different aspects of research.

Research site:

CCESR is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies. To learn more detailed information about experiments, researchers, and the Cedar Creek area please visit our website at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu.

To apply for the intern position please visit our website, z.umn.edu/cdrjobs. The deadline for application submission is February 19th. For those interested in a spring position, please apply by February 12th. For any questions regarding the internships or application please email ccintern@umn.edu or call 612-301-2616.