Thesis ideas

[bombadil]

Hi everybody

I am at the moment doing an MSc in environmental forestry at the university of Wales, Bangor, and I need to start thinking about my thesis. Next year will involve three months of research in some foreign land, but the trouble is, my ideas are as yet non too specific. I have a strong desire to go to Canada or Alaska, and look at sustainable forestry, there, but I need a specific idea on which to base my research. Any ideas from any of you learned people would be appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Beer Monster]

Aaaaah thesis time. I taught common shore crabs to press coloured levers for a squid paste reward .

How about the environmental impact of snowmobile use with inadequate snowcover in forested areas?

......... the probelm that I encountered was getting a subject to cover (realistically enough data to collect) in 3/4 months.

 

[Batfink]

Do you get wetter in woodlands in the rain than you do outside of them? You know that "bigger raindrops, but less frequent" thing versus "lots of small rain drops"! It's probably not the kind of thing your looking for - but its something I'd like to have answered!!!

Could you look at the use of forestry on slope stabilisation - although that's probably a popular one I guess?

 

[rich59]

The roles of shelf fungi in forest ecology?

 

[NickBristol]

How about the use of sustainably managed forests for power generation in remote environments? Could investigate the suitability of different tree species, whether native species could be managed effectively to provide a reliable year round energy supply, or how a non-native very fast growing species would affect the local environment?

HTH
Nick

 

[redflex]

I know it is not Canada but always looking for researchers at Hubbard Brook, they can give list of things to research, provide lots of resources.

or

In Canada there is interest in shelterwoods and stips felling especially with regards topex values on high planatations

 

[happy camper]

hello
This really isn't my area, so this might be really wide of the mark and only serve to expose my ignorance on the subject , but it's always struck me that there seems to be a real lack of biodiversity in commercially managed forestry of non-native species in this country, i wonder if this is just a necessary fact or if there is room for improvement. I know there will always be a trade off, and that it is a complex equation, but is it because of undue priority being given to commercial rather than environmental considerations?
It's probably far too broad, but what about looking at the various interrelationships and trade-offs between biodiversity and commercial considerations in forest management, with, perhaps, a comparative study of policies and their impact on local habitat between u.k and Canada?
Another thing i might like to look at would be the impact of comercially managed forestry of non native species in the uk on habitats and biodiversity, and then do a comparative study of biodiversity and habitats in forest of the same species of trees, where they naturally occur.
Sorry if these suggestions are lame, but as i say, i haven't got a clue what i'm on about

 

[storm]

how about examining the impact of foragers on a type-forest ecosystem? foragers could include folks who gather mushrooms, boughs for christmas wreaths, mineral claim-workers, abos, subsistence-gatherers (Canada and Alaska would be a good place for this)...

 

[ronsos]

how about researching an areaof old growth forest logged about 30 or so years ago and its recovery (or not).Is intervention required?necessary?whats the costs.

Now ,time to stop procastinating,and get on with my essay.

Right after I check out the gallery.And perhaps B.B.

Best put the kettle on first.