The ecology of lightning strikes: How many trees in tropical forests killed by lightning?

项目背景：热带森林是地球上最重要和最多样化的生态系统之一。然而，最近的研究表明，热带树木死亡率有所上升，其结果是热带森林提供的碳汇强度正在降低（Brienen, 2015）。因此，了解热带树木死亡的原因至关重要。我们知道闪电会杀死树木（Mäkelä， 2009; Yanoviak 2020），并且在热带地区最为强大和频繁（Cecil, 2014）。此外，随着气候变化，雷击可能会变得更加强烈和频繁。如果被闪电击中的树木全部死亡，则表明闪电是控制热带树木死亡率的主要因素，也是森林动态和结构的重要控制因素。然而，在热带地区没有直接测量闪电引起的树木死亡率。在加纳的热带森林工作，你将帮助解决这一巨大的知识鸿沟。项目目的和方法：目的：在这个项目中，你将加入一个由热带生态学家、物理学家和电气工程师组成的跨学科小组，他们最近得到资助，进行有史以来第一次系统研究闪电引起的树木死亡。该团队开发了一种新型传感器，首次可以研究闪电击中树木的情况。你将加入这个团队，在加纳安卡萨的热带森林实地参与实地活动。你的项目目标可以解决以下研究问题：Q1：哪些树更容易被闪电击中？Q2：哪些树更有可能在雷击中幸存下来？Q3：闪电如何影响热带森林的生态和碳平衡？方法：本博士在加纳安卡萨进行了大量的实地工作。在攻读博士学位期间，您将协助安装传感器和收集树木调查数据，包括异速生长、功能特征、土壤特性和森林动态。该博士学位提供了与世界级研究团队合作的独特机会，研究具有全球重要性的真正新颖的研究问题，也有充分的机会发展自己的研究兴趣。

Project Background:Tropical forests are one of the most important and diverse ecosystems on Earth. However, recent research has revealed an increase in the rate of tropic tree mortality, with the consequence that the strength of the carbon sink provided by tropical forests is reducing (Brienen, 2015). It is therefore vital that we understand why tropical trees die.We know lightning kills trees (Mäkelä, 2009; Yanoviak 2020) and is most powerful and frequent in the tropics (Cecil, 2014). Furthermore, with climate change, lightning strikes are likely to get more powerful and frequent. If all the trees struck by lightning died, it would indicate that lightning was a major factor controlling tropical tree mortality rates and an important control on forest dynamics and structure. However, there is no direct measurement of lightning induced tree mortality in the tropics. Working in tropical forests in Ghana, you will help address this huge knowledge gap.Project Aims and Methods:AIMS: In this project, you will join an interdisciplinary group of tropical ecologists, physicists and electrical engineers who have been recently funded to undertake the first ever systematic study into lightning induced tree mortality. The team has developed a novel sensor that allows lightning strikes on trees to be studied for the first time. You will join this team and participate in field campaigns at tropical forest field sites in Ankasa (Ghana).Your project aims could address the following research questions:Q1: Which trees are more likely to be struck by lightning?Q2: Which trees are more likely to survive a lightning strike?Q3: How does lightning influence the ecology and carbon balance of tropical forests?METHODS:This PhD involves a substantial amount of field work in Ankasa, Ghana. During your PhD you will be assisting in the installation of sensors and the collection of tree survey data, including allometry, functional traits, soil properties and forest dynamics. This PhD provides the unique opportunity to work with a world-class research team on a genuinely novel research question of global importance and also ample opportunity to develop your own research interests.