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Thesis topic proposal
 
Csilla Stenger-Kovács
Trait-based, functional approaches in diatom bioindication

THESIS TOPIC PROPOSAL

Institute: University of Pannonia
environmental sciences
Doctoral School of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences

Thesis supervisor: Csilla Stenger-Kovács
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Institute of Environmental Science, Department of Limnology, Veszprém
Abbreviation of location of studies: PE-LT


Description of the research topic:

Rapid and continuous decline of Earth’s biodiversity is one of the biggest risks of the 21th century. Most of the ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic disturbances and climate change leading high species extinction rate never seen before. In the last decades, biodiversity researches focused mostly on the species richness and diversity metrics based on taxa as taxonomic units. However, this species diversity-centred approach has limitations, since it requires high level of taxonomic expertise, it is time-consuming and misidentifications are common. These limitations have created demand for alternative approaches .to determine the ecological and evolutionary processes which form biodiversity patterns. Beside the investigation of traditional, taxonomical diversity, one of the new lines is focusing on trait-based, functional approaches. In aquatic ecosystems - which are among the most endangered ecosystems- researchers strongly advocate the systematic taxonomical and functional investigation of some understudied groups like e.g. diatoms and bacteria. From conservational point of view, the preservation of rarity, especially functional rarity has outstanding importance, because these rare taxa will be the first victims of the 6th extinction crisis. Regarding these ecological outliers, the fundamental aim is to define the condition (environment, human pressure) where these outliers can persist furthermore, what is their importance from the ecosystem functions point of view.

Required language skills: english
Further requirements: 
Msc in Natural Sciences

Number of students who can be accepted: 1

Deadline for application: 2020-05-31


2024. IV. 17.
ODT ülés
Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).

 
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