Diversity of birds and mammals in regenerating forests in Madagascar
Onja Razafindratsima, Professor
Integrative Biology
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
Forest regeneration and seed dispersal are essential ecological processes for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and carbon sequestration. However, these processes are being threatened by agricultural expansion and defaunation. As a first step toward understanding the importance of animal seed dispersers in forest regeneration, this project aims to assess the diversity of birds and mammals in regenerating forest patches in Madagascar.
Qualifications: The undergraduate(s) will process camera trap and/or Audiomoth data from a larger regeneration project in Madagascar. They will learn the basics of camera trapping and/or Audiomoth deployment, how to manually identify birds and mammals from the files, and how to use software that can facilitate species identification.
No previous research experience required. Required traits: self-motivated, organized, problem-solver, and patient. Desirable but not essential: experience with camera traps and/or Audiomoths, experience identifying species.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Sabine Cudney-Valenzuela , Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Biological & Health Sciences