Summaries:
1) Hayley Brant
The effect of land use change on the human-biting rate of vector mosquitoes
Human modification of natural landscapes can influence the emergence and proliferation of zoonotic parasitic diseases. Each modification, such as deforestation, urbanisation and agricultural development, can affect the biology and ecology of vector mosquitoes, and their disease transmission potential. The expansion of oil palm is the main driver of deforestation in Malaysia, which could result in a higher prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. This study investigates the impact of deforestation and fragmentation on malaria vectors, as well as investigating how oil palm conversion affects mosquito diversity, abundance and community composition. I will describe the methods used during my fieldwork in Malaysia, current results, and will discuss forthcoming experiments. For further details, see http://www.safeproject.net/projects/biodiversity/diversity-and-composition/mosquito-community-dynamics/
2) Isabel Fenton
The effect of stratification on planktonic foraminiferal assemblages
Foraminifera are unicellular zooplankton with a calcium carbonate test, formed of a series of chambers which are added progressively as the foram grows. There are roughly 40 species of planktonic foraminifera distributed across the world’s oceans. Their calcareous tests mean that in many regions they form a significant part of the oceanic sediments. This makes it possible to study their distributions and abundances through time. A latitudinal diversity gradient for species richness has been observed for planktonic foraminifera, with decreases richness in higher latitudes. It has been suggested that this gradient results from stratification of the water column. By using a range of diversity measures, I investigate the support for this hypothesis.