Sommerpraktikum (for 2. Studienjahr Biologie) at the Division ...... Sommerpraktikum (for 2. Studienjahr Biologie) at the Division of Conservation Biology (Prof. Raphael Arlettaz)

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Prof. Dr Raphaël Arlettaz Head of the division of Conservation Biology Office: Erlachstrasse 9a Mail: Baltzerstrasse 6 CH–3012 Bern

+41 31 631 31 61 +41 79 637 51 76 +41 31 631 45 35 [email protected] www.conservation.unibe.ch

Sommerpraktikum (for 2. Studienjahr Biologie) at the Division of Conservation Biology (Prof. Raphael Arlettaz) The Conservation Biology group conducts applied research in farmland, woodland and high altitude ecosystems: mechanisms responsible for ecosystems degradation and species decline are investigated so as to provide sound mitigation measures and restoration solutions for biodiversity. Camera-trapping of wild ungulates in the Alps (1-2 posts)

Estimating population densities of wild ungulates delivers essential information for analyzing the prey availability for large carnivores. In our project we collect information about the spatial and temporal occurrence of wild ungulates (roe deer, chamois, red deer) with automatic photographic cameras. Based on these data we will assess relative prey availability for lynx and wolf. Information and requirements This project is conducted in Valais. You will accompany a MSc student in the field and help her placing and evaluating the camera traps (June-August). Accommodation will be provided in our field station in Sion. A driving license is favourable but not compulsory. For further information please contact [email protected].




Low-intensity grasslands (1-2 posts)

We conduct controlled experiments on alternative management regimes for hay meadows, with the objective to deliver more biodiversity-friendly agri-environmental schemes for sustaining fundamental agro-ecosystem processes and services. We are also investigating why the number of dry subalpine Nardus stricta grasslands (called Nardion) decreased in the last decades in the Bernese Alps. Information and requirements The study is conducted in the Swiss lowland and/or Bernese Alps. Fieldwork will take place between May and August 2016 (to be discussed). During fieldwork, you will accompany a master student, and help him/her mapping (environment variables) and conducting surveys (on plants and invertebrates) in grasslands fields. A driving license is favourable but not compulsory. For further information please contact [email protected]. Biodiversity and natural pest control in farmland (1 post)

The aim of this project is to investigate if biodiversity at landsca pe scale enhances biodiversity-driven natural pest control. In our project we quantify pest (cereal leaf beetle) and predator abundance in crop fields and investigate to which extent these indicators correlate with diversity of birds, butterflies and plants. Information and requirements Fieldwork will take place between May and July 2016 in different regions of the Swiss lowland. During fieldwork, you will accompany a master student, and help to catch/count different invertebrate species in agricultural fields. A driving license is favourable but not compulsory. For further information please contact [email protected].




The effects of fragmentation on the habitat use of Woodlarks and its arthropod prey (1-2 posts)

Vineyards in Valais are managed very intensively, although there is an ongoing trend towards a more nature-friendly management where less pesticides are used what allows ground vegetation to grow between the wine rows. But these "green" vineyards are still rare, often spatially isolated and are known to be preferred by the ground-breeding and insectivorous Woodlark, what implies that the birds are facing a fragmented breeding habitat. In this part of the project we aim to investigate the effects of fragmentation on the vineyard habitat use of woodlarks and the abundance and distribution of its arthropod prey. Information and requirements For this project there are two posts possible: one in the field (March-June) and one in the lab (January-March). The field work part of this project is conducted in Valais whereas the lab part will be in Bern. For the field work you will accompany a PhD candidate and help her catching and radio-tracking birds (March-June), sampling arthropods (April-May) and other activities. In the lab you will mostly be sorting and identifying arthropod samples from pitfall traps. Accommodation during field work will be provided in our field station in Sion. A driving license is favourable but not compulsory. For further information please contact [email protected].




Niche partitioning in similar, closely related sympatric bat species? A sensorial approach (1 post) The two horseshoe bats species Rhinolophus mehelyi and R. euryale can be found foraging in similar habitats. However it is not clear if the two species developed sensorial adaptations in their foraging behavior. This is especially important during times when the prey abundance is low; the partitioning of feeding niches might help to reduce competition between species. In this project the prey capture calls and the prey capture behavior of the two species was studied for differences. Therefore sound and video recordings were made under standardized conditions. Information and requirements For the project you will view, sort and analyze the synchronized sound and video recordings of the two bat species. Since all data are available the time for the conduction of the project is quite flexible (February – June). For further information please contact [email protected]. Spatial GIS analysis of dark patches within lit landscapes (1 post) Artificial lighting is known to disrupt plant and animal physiology and behaviour, as well as broader ecological processes. The extent and quality of outdoor artificial lighting are also changing, with the potential for impacts to accumulate at the scale of populations and communities. Little is known about what dark spaces remain within heavily lit landscapes such as cities. What is their typical area? How variable are they in size and shape? How isolated are they from each other and what land uses are these dark patches composed of? Information and requirements This project will involve the use of various Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to describe the spatial characteristics of dark patches in urban landscapes. This will support the development of research questions related to dispersal and meta-population dynamics for light sensitive species. This analysis will use both aerial night photography and radiance calibrated images captured by astronauts on the International Space Station. No prior use of GIS software is required. This work can be undertaken between March and June 2016. For further information please contact [email protected].




Response of Alpine birds to climate change (1 post) There is a considerable gap in knowledge on many aspects of the biology and ecology of alpine bird species (e.g. foraging ecology, habitat selection and population dynamics) which urge to be studied under current and future scenarios of climate change. The potential adaptive of alpine birds to climate change will partly depend on whether they still find suitable habitats for breeding and/or wintering. Thus, we must understand what these crucial habitats are and how they currently vary in space and time in high mountains. Moreover, long-term monitoring programs of alpine bird populations are required to assess how climate change may impact on the biology and ecology of these specialized species, which may have consequences at the population level.

In 2015, we have started a newly research project to assess the specific fine-grained foraging habitat selection patterns in species typical of timberline and alpine ecosystems, namely the Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) and the Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis). In 2016, we will expand ringing both species for the study of population dynamics and continue collecting data in different sites along the study area to better understand habitat selection and be able to up-scale our results into a broader geographical area.

Information and requirements The study is conducted in the Valais at different locations (ca 1800-2600 m a.s.l). Fieldwork will take place between April and July 2016. During fieldwork, you will accompany master students and a postdoc for capturing and banding breeding Ring Ouzels and Snowfinches. For the Snowfinch project, we will also equip breeding birds with a radiotransmitor to assess foraging micro-habitat selection by radiotracking and collect invertebrate samples to estimate food availability. Accommodation during field work may be provided in our field station in Sion. The student must be prepared to work under adverse weather conditions and be in good physical condition. For further information please contact: [email protected].

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Sommerpraktikum (for 2. Studienjahr Biologie) at the Division ...... Sommerpraktikum (for 2. Studienjahr Biologie) at the Division of Conservation Biology (Prof. Raphael Arlettaz)