Onderwerp scriptie
DNA based monitoring of nematode assemblages as a proxy for ecological soil condition
Soil is probably the most densely inhabited habitat on our planet; it is teeming with life. For many reasons - ecological, eco-toxicological, agricultural – we would like to make a statement about the health situation of a soil.
The overwhelming biodiversity makes it at least unpractical to try to make an overall inventory of soil life. Instead we use groups of soil inhabitants that reflect the overall ecological status of a soil. Nematodes are often used for this purpose mainly because of their trophic diversity; different groups feed on bacteria, fungi, protozoa or other nematodes. Therefore, nematodes assemblages mirror the conditions of e.g. the bacterial and fungal communities. Within this project you will investigate natural variations in nematodes assemblages due to season, rainfall, temperature, changes in vegetation etc. The establishment of a normal operating range (NOR) will allow us to define (undesired) structural changes in soil life. Q-PCR based community analyses will be a central tool in this BSc subject.
Period(s):
Period(s) in which subject is available: Preferably not in Winter time (periods 3, 4)
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Major(s):
This thesis topic is well suited for students of the following Bachelor programmes:
BBI - Major D Ecology and Biodiversity
BBT
BML
BPW - Major B Plant Production and Ecology
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Application:
Deadline for application for the project: At least two weeks
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Project:
Type of research project: Field work and experimental work