Orchids and thistles!
One of the most valuable and rare habitats of Southern is the costal habitats that are open, dry and relatively warm, often with calcareous soils. Another vulnerable habitat is the extreme rich fens. These two habitats are home to a range of threatened species. An important threat is habitat destruction and fragmentation. To conserve the species of these habitat in the best possible way different types of knowledge is essential, like the distribution of genetic variation within and among populations, the size of populations, do the plants set viable seeds, is there recruitment of young individuals, and other aspects of the specie’s biology. Such knowledge is lacking for many threatened plants. For some of these species, as for species other places, it is sometimes difficult to separate closely related species and to make a decision if something deserves species status or not. As a result rare species may go unrecognized and not get the necessary attention to get properly conserved.
Below are mentioned two examples of master projects, but it is also possible to define projects on other species based on a student’s interests in some particular plants or related topics.
Genetic diversity and reproduction of Epipactis palustris (Orchidaceae) in Norway
Epipactis palustris, called myrflangre in Norwegian is distributed in South Eastern and South Western Norway. It is a plant of extreme rich fens and is listed as endangered (EN) in the Norwegian Red list. The size of its already small populations are declining. In the past habitat destruction has been an important reason for the decline, but the species may also suffer from inbreeding depression as it may self-pollinate. Norwegian management authorities have expressed stron interest for studies on genetic diversity and reproduction in the Norwegian populations.
Research questions include:
How genetic diversity diverse are current populations and how is it structured within and between population
How frequent is self-pollination and how does it affect fitness (seed production)
Relevant methods may include studies of morphology, genetic variation and seed production with germination tests.
Taxonomy and population biology of Carlina vulgaris (Asteraceae) in Norway
Carlina vulgaris, called stjernetistel in Norwegian, is distributed in South Eastern Norway on dry, often calcareous soils. It lives for two to several years, and is listed as near threatened (NT) in the Norwegian Red List. Two subspecies are recognized, C. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris and C. vulgaris subsp. longifolia, but their status and delimitation is questioned. To be able to conserve threatened species knowledge as for example genetic variability within and between population, seed production and seed viability is crucial.
Research questions include:
- Are there two subspecies and how can they best be delimited?
- How is the status Norwegian populations regarding factors as genetic variation, seed production, recruitment?
Relevant methods may be studies of morphology, genetic variation, distribution modelling, demographic studies, seed production with germination tests. The outlined project is probably too big for one master project and could without problems accommodate two students. Alternatively selected parts of it could be done by one student.
Main supervisor: Brita Stedje, brita.stedje@nhm.uio.no (with collaborators)