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Project properties |
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| Title | Modeling the effect of UV radiation on plant litter decomposition in semiarid agro-ecosystems |
| Group | Soil Physics and Land Management group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Jantiene Baartman |
| Examiner(s) | Coen Ritsema |
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| Begin date | 2020/02/09 |
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| Description | The objective of this topic is to assess the role of UV-photodegradation in the decomposition of plant residues of different quality and its implications for soil carbon and nutrient balances in agricultural systems under different local climatic conditions. The ultimate goal of this project is to identify the most efficient management strategy for plant residues derived from different cover crops and ground covers (mulching or incorporation) depending on the local conditions (e.g., climate, soil type, and orientation) to maximize the capacity of semiarid agricultural ecosystems to provide essential services (e.g., soil formation, carbon sequestration, and fertility enhancement). To do so, a mechanistic dynamic model is being developed that accounts for the most important factors that control the decomposition of plant residues in semi-arid environments (temperature, air humidity, solar UV radiation and plant litter chemical composition) as well as their interactions over time. The student should be acquainted with R and should be able to help developing and testing the model.
What is expected from the student (type of research) - Experience in using R - Interest in helping to develop and test the model - Independence, responsibility and autonomy - Experience in data management and statistical analyses - Basic Spanish skills are desirable but not essential - Driving licence is desirable but not essential |
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