Revealing Environmental Change Through Lake’s Memory
Are you fascinated by the natural world and curious about how ecosystems have changed over time? Join our research stream and discover how scientists at Natural History Museums study biodiversity, environmental change, and the legacies of ecosystem disturbances. By working with plant, animal, and fungal collections, you’ll explore how organisms are identified and classified, and how ecological studies are conducted using museum specimens. You'll also delve into ancient environments by studying lake sediments—nature's own archives of past ecological conditions. Learn how wetlands serve as environmental sensors, holding long-term records that help us understand climate change, wildfires, and other disturbances. This knowledge is key to shaping sustainable land use and management strategies for the future. In this program, students will: Use Natural History Museum collections to identify organisms and understand taxonomy. Study lake sediments to track environmental changes over centuries. Investigate the impact of past ecological disturbances, such as wildfires, within the context of climate variability and change. Gain hands-on experience with both fieldwork and laboratory methods to analyze sedimentary environments. If you're passionate about nature and looking for a hands-on research experience, this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to critical ecological research!