My research is centered on the biotic and abiotic factors determining patterns of species diversity and the distribution of species, both in the tropics and in Europe. Specific research fields include:

• Diversity, evolution, and macroecology of ferns worldwide
• Taxonomic studies of ferns
• Ecophysiology and mycorrhization of ferns
• Conservation of Swiss ferns, in collaboration with the Swiss Fern Society
• Biogeography and ecology of Andean treelines
• Temporal changes in the Central European flora
• Diversity and evolution of epiphytic plants, bromeliads, and Andean palms

Publications

The following provides a short insight into the breadth of possible topics for MSc projects. I am happy to consider individual interests and ideas. 

Influence of forest management on the diversity of fern communities
Ferns are common in Swiss forests, but their abundance and diversity appear to be influenced by the composition of the trees and forest management. This has not yet been studied in detail. In this project, we will establish a series of standardized survey plots in different forest types with varying management conditions, to quantify the degree to which these parameters influence fern assemblage composition. Field work would be in summer (June to September), followed by statistical data analyses in winter. This is a suitable project if you are interested in applied ecology and habitat management. 

Leaf anatomy and desiccation tolerance in tropical ferns
Most ferns have “normally” structured leaves with an epidermis and stomata, but some tropical ferns have evolved translucent leaves only one or two cell layers thick that lack stomata. We are studying the hypothesis that this is an adaptation to the dark understory of tropical rain forests, where constant high humidity reduce water stress, but where low light availability favors the development of thin-textured, “cheap” leaves. We have already collected leaf samples of several species showing the gradient from thick leaves to translucent leaves. In the MSc project, you will make microtomical cuts of these leaves and study the cell anatomy in detail, to describe the different adaptations in these plants. If you enjoy microscopy and lab work, this is a project for you.

We also offer MSc thesis projects in applied plant conservation in the seed bank.