Arctic LTER: Fertilization, fire and plant community change

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The Arctic tundra ecosystem has naturally low biodiversity and is experiencing changes due to the influences of climate change. Over the past 30+  years, researchers at the Arctic LTER site have developed a suite of experiments to study the effects of expected climate changes on the ecosystem as well as conducting continued monitoring of ecosystem… Read more »

Andrews LTER: Forest understory biodiversity and climate change

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Researchers examining understory plants

Pacific Northwest forests contain some of the largest reserves of forests on the planet, but many questions remain unanswered about how drought and heat stress from climate change will change forest dynamics and biodiversity. RETs on this project will track understory plant populations and quantify interactions among the many important and diverse plant species in these understory ecosystems.

Andrews LTER: Biodiversity and riverscapes

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stream sampling

Many species that rely upon mountain streams may experience stress from reduced summer habitat, increased water temperature, and increased vulnerability to predators. Which species respond and how they respond to climate change and stream drying is an important question. RETs conducting research on biodiversity and riverscapes will work alongside Dr. Ivan Arismendi from Oregon State… Read more »

LTER Graduate Student Spotlight: Dana Cook

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This spotlight is part of an ongoing series featuring many of our wonderful LTER Network graduate student representatives who contribute valuable research and leadership across the network. To learn more about graduate research in the LTER network, visit this page. Dana Cook has been a graduate student with the Moorea Coral Reef LTER for the… Read more »

LTER Graduate Student Spotlight: Kelsey Solomon

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This spotlight is part of an ongoing series featuring many of our wonderful LTER Network graduate student representatives who contribute valuable research and leadership across the network. To learn more about graduate research in the LTER network, visit this page. Kelsey Solomon is a graduate student at the University of Georgia, where she’s been conducting… Read more »

Mentoring Undergraduate Students at Moorea Coral Reef LTER

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LTER sites preset extraordinary opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the process of science — and to discover whether their strengths and interests fit the demands of field ecology. Russell Schmitt and Sally Holbrook discuss how the Moorea Coral Reef site mentors undergraduate students and the rewards of the experience.  

Let’s CHAT about Improving REU Programs

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Many scientists have pivotal experiences during their undergraduate education that lead them to choose a career in science, such as opportunities to conduct hands-on research or work closely with mentors. Unfortunately, it’s a challenge to measure the direct impact these foundational experiences have on participants. In a new paper, however, researchers from Harvard Forest LTER… Read more »

New Toolkit from CAISE on Inclusion in STEM

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Informal Science (formerly the Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education) has released a new toolkit: Broadening Perspectives on Broadening Participation in STEM. Key practice briefs, such as these on Cultural Norms of STEM and Modeling Workplace Inclusion serve as discussion-starters for identifying the issues and solutions for each site. Find information on this and many other resources for increasing… Read more »