Native bee response to forest response treatments
Faculty mentor/Supervisor:
Jim Rivers
Email Address:
Department Affiliation:
Forest Engineering Resources & Management
Project Location:
Lab on campus (PFSC 269)
Project Description:
A graduate student in the Forest Animal Ecology Lab is evaluating the impact of forest management techniques, such as mechanical thinning and prescribed fire, on native bee abundance and diversity when compared against untreated controls stands. In summer of 2024 field crews conducted multiple rounds of active and passive trapping across 41 sites in the Malheur National Forest with the goal of elucidating differences in native bee communities across the treatment types.
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform:
The mentee will work closely with the graduate student leading this project and gain valuable entomological skills applicable to future research projects. Key tasks include: (1) cleaning, pinning, and labeling insect specimens collected during the 2024 field season, (2) organizing and curating a physical specimen collection; and (3) entering and managing data, with a focus on tracking project progress and ensuring data accuracy. The mentee will also be welcome to attend the regular lab meetings held by the Forest Animal Ecology Lab, which will give them a window into graduate school and the functioning of a research-based group.
Hourly rate of pay:
$16/hour
What is the expected timeline of this project?:
Specimen pinning and curation will take place fall 2024-spring 2025
Are special skills or knowledge required to work on this project?:
No
Will training be provided?:
Yes
How many hours per week do you anticipate a student to work?:
Flexible based on the student's schedule, but we expect them to average at least 5 hours/week across the term
How many hours per week do you anticipate engaging in direct mentorship?:
approximately 3, including time spend in weekly lab meetings
Detail your mentorship plan:
The MEP mentee will spend the first week of their mentorship working closely with a graduate student during set times where they will learn how to pin insects according to museum curation standards and how to manage specimen databases. In week 2, the mentee will begin to work more independently and have the freedom to do their lab work at their own pace to work out any questions they may have with the protocol. The graduate student will still be working in the lab at the same time to help as needed. During week 3, the mentee will begin conducting their lab work on their own time and coordinating their plans with the graduate student with the expectation that they will have begun developing time management skills. By week 4, the graduate student and mentee will check in about the undergraduate’s progress and start discussing potential research topics for the student to focus on during the remainder of their program. Additionally, the mentee will meet with the PI regularly who will check on progress and help set new goals and offer solutions to problems that arise. By the end of spring term, the student will have a draft poster created reflecting on the work they’ve accomplished at the Spring term MEP Poster Symposium.