Missions

The postdoc position is part of DESSFOR project. DESSFOR seeks to determine how and why low-density forest persist in the Congo Basin tropical humid forest region. The person recruited will integrate field and remote sensing data in a new dedicated mechanistic vegetation population model . The model structure is already broadly defined, but not programmed. They will analyze numerically this model to estimate the environmental conditions for low-density forests stability to persist as an alternate ecological state to dense forest and that for critical transitions from one state to another. They will closely interact with field specialists and may participate to a collective field mission to acquire new data.

Activités

The activities include:
- Developing and programming a parsimonious vegetation model dedicated to the low-density humid tropical forests from a partially established structure and data acquired by the DESSFOR project.
-vParameterizing the model from literature data, from experiences/observations from field or remote sensing, already carried on or to be carried on during the postdoctoral contract.
- Studying the model behavior to answer the questions about the conditions of existence and persistence of low-density forests over long periods of time. Specifically, characterizing the environmental conditions (climate, soil, natural and human-induced disturbances) for low-density forests to be an alternate stable state to dense tropical humid forests and analyzing the possible dynamical trajectories to and from this state.

Compétences

The candidate must have a Ph.D., skills in mechanistic modelling of ecological systems (coding and numerical analysis) and an ability to interact with field researcher during their modelling work. A good knowledge of one programming language is a must. EA experience of field missions is preferable, but not a must. They must however be willing to participate in a mission in Congo of a few weeks in basic conditions. The work will be essentially experimental and include sample fabrication, cryogenic electrical characterization.

To apply, please send us the following documents as PDF file (all documents in English):
(1) Letter of motivation including relevance for the post-doctoral project
(2) Résumé including full list of publications and communications
(3) Contact details of at least two referees (or letters of recommendation, if already available)

Contexte de travail

-The project DESSFOR - DEGRADED STABLE STATES IN TROPICAL FORESTS seeks to study the condition for existence, stability and persistence of low-density forest as an ecological state alternate to dense forest in the Congo Basin tropical humid forest region. These degraded forests cover very large areas in Central Africa and have a very low density of trees with a dense understory composed of giant herbs. The few studies on low-density forests suggest that their large patches (up to 2000 km2) are likely to have originated from old disturbances (>1000 years ago) and have been maintained over long periods through positive feedback mechanisms, e.g. inhibition of tree regeneration by giant herbs. Observations also suggest that current human disturbances, such as logging activities, as well as climate anomalies, contribute to the rapid expansion of these degraded forests, which could have considerable consequences for local populations. The overall study of the project is to study the mechanisms by which low-density forests may originate and be maintained at different spatial and temporal scales. We will combine observations at the local and regional scales (among which historical data) and parsimonious theoretical models to study the long-term dynamics of low-density forests, the conditions under which stability is expected and the mechanisms by which giant herbs monopolize space and may outcompete trees or restrain their development.
The postdoctoral position will be based at the Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier, in the Ecosystem dynamics, ecology of disturbances, paleoclimates team, with strong interaction with researchers from Botany and Modeling of Plant Architecture and Vegetation (AMAP) lab.