Subject: Graduate research assistantship

From: John Marshall <[email-masked]>
Date: 24 Jul 1995 22:41:39 GMT

Graduate Research Assistantship::::Plant Ecophysiology in the Miocene::::University of Idaho 

A graduate research assistantship is available to study the stomatal densities and isotopic composition of Miocene fossil leaves from Clarkia, Idaho, USA.  The fossils, deposited in an anoxic lakebed, retain organelles, flavonoids, and perhaps DNA.  The vegetation was dominated by the following genera: Taxodium, Nyssa, Metasequoia, Liriodendron, and Persea.  Their carbon isotope ratios and stomatal densities will be compared to those of herbarium specimens and the comparison used to estimate atmospheric CO2  concentrations and isotopic composition 15.3 My ago.  These measurements will also provide insight into paleophysiology of Miocene forests and will help to constrain predictions of the response of future vegetation to increased atmospheric CO2.  

Training or experience with plant microscopy is required; knowledge of plant ecophysiology or paleoecology would be helpful.   For more information please call or email me at the address below.

John D. Marshall ([email-masked])
Department of Forest Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1133 
USA
(208) 885-6695