Ecological Field Research in Local Prairies (Spring/Summer)
The Coverdale Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences seeks one undergraduate interested in assisting with ecological research in summer 2025 in tallgrass prairies in Indiana, Illinois, and Kansas.
Research in the Coverdale Lab focuses on how plant communities respond to human impacts, with a particular focus on the effects of climate change, large mammal (e.g., bison) extinction, and habitat loss. Tallgrass prairie research during Summer 2025 will focus on two projects, each of which is led by a senior member of the lab:
- How will future climate conditions (simulated by spring rain addition and experimental summer drought) affect the success and longevity of current prairie restoration efforts?
- How does bison grazing affect prairie plant communities at scales ranging from individual plants to entire ecosystems?
Interested students should contact Dr. Coverdale (tcoverda@nd.edu) as soon as possible. Students will develop funding proposals during the spring semester (e.g., COS-SURF) with the assistance of Dr. Coverdale before spending 10 weeks assisting with fieldwork during the summer. Students will receive one credit of research during the spring to develop proposals, and are welcome to also participate in ongoing research and scholarship in the lab. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable research experience, and to spend the summer in some of the US's last remnant tallgrass prairies.
Prior research experience is preferred but not required. When contacting Dr. Coverdale, please include a brief CV or resume and an (unofficial) transcript.
The Coverdale Lab is a collaborative and dynamic group with shared interests in ecological resilience to human impacts. We are a supportive group interested in facilitating undergraduate participation in research; the lab prides itself on providing world-class research opportunities and strong mentoring that have launched numerous undergraduates into successful research careers.
Research in the lab addresses fundamental and timely questions surrounding the ability of ecosystems to survive the myriad human impacts they face. Our work focuses on developing predictive models of plant community responses to climate change, habitat loss, and herbivore extinction, among other impacts. We use a variety of tools, including traditional field experiments, cutting-edge drone-based remote-sensing, and mathematical modeling.