The Virtual Priaire Project will sponsor a $1000 scholar ship to a PhD student who has demonstrated high computer skills and interest in ecology.
The goal of this project is to study the fundamental mechanisms involved in the dynamic of a prairie in response to disturbance (recurrent mowing, grazing?). Such model has several applications such as the design of prairies with high agronomical values or the preservation of ecological systems with high biodiversity. New insights are also developed recently on new ecological uses of such systems.
Through the ViP project, the effects of management practices on plant competition and genetic structure of the prairie will be forecast.
We will particularly encourage PhD student who have collaborated on ecology projects.