Master Thesis #1: The effect of land-use practices on predation pressure in tropical smallholder agroforestry

BRIGHT-futures is an interdisciplinary project where we aim to study sustainable agriculture. By combining ecological and socio-economic research, a holistic approach is used to study smallholder agroforestry in Kerala, India. The selected farms for this project differ in terms of agricultural practices and social network activity. In this context, predation pressure as an indicator for ecosystem functioning will be measured indirectly by using artificial clay-caterpillars. The study aims to answer the following question:  

Does a higher diversification of agricultural practices lead to higher predation pressure, therefore indicating a higher pest-control compared to farms applying lower diverse spectrum of agricultural practices? 

The master’s student will conduct the study during joined fieldwork with an international and interdisciplinary team in Kerala, India. Around 40 agroforestry farms will be visited, and ecological and social studies will be conducted. So called dummy-caterpillars made from clay will be placed in the farms. After re-collecting them, bite marks on the caterpillars makes it possible to identify its predators and indirectly measure predation pressure. 

Requirements: 

  • Fieldwork: September – December 2026 (followed by data evaluation, statistical analysis and writing from January 2027 onwards) 

  • Ability to work in a team as well as independently  

  • Basic knowledge of the statistical analysis in R 

If you are interested, please send your CV, a description of relevant qualifications (e.g. modules) and a short statement expressing your motivation (max. 150 words) for the project until 15.01.2026 to: hannah.melcher@uni-hohenheim.de 

Hannah Melcher
Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems
University of Hohenheim 

Find out more about the department

Master Thesis #2: The effect of land-use practices on biodiversity in tropical smallholder agroforestry

BRIGHT-futures is an interdisciplinary project where we aim to study sustainable agriculture. By combining ecological and socio-economic research, a holistic approach is used to study smallholder agroforestry in Kerala, India. The selected farms for this project differ in terms of agricultural practices and social network activity. In this context biodiversity studies, including birds, bats and arthropods will be conducted addressing the following question:  

Does a higher diversification of land-use practices and higher social network activity enhance species richness and abundance in smallholder agroforestry? 

The master’s student(s) will conduct the study during joined fieldwork with an international and interdisciplinary team in Kerala, India. Around 40 agroforestry farms will be visited, and ecological and social studies will be conducted.  Depending on the group of interest the student(s) will: 

  • record bird/bat diversity with passive acoustic monitoring or 

  • assess arthropod diversity by using pitfall traps and/or vane traps or 

  • assess butterfly diversity by using fruit traps 

Requirements: 

  • Fieldwork: September – December 2026 (followed by data evaluation, statistical analysis and writing from January 2027 onwards) 

  • Taxonomic knowledge of birds, bats or arthropods or the motivation to learn it 

  • Ability to work in a team as well as independently  

  • Basic knowledge of the statistical analysis in R 

 
If you are interested, please send your CV, a description of relevant qualifications (e.g. modules) and a short statement expressing your motivation (max. 150 words) for the project until 15.01.2026 to: hannah.melcher@uni-hohenheim.de 

Hannah Melcher
Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems
University of Hohenheim 

Find out more about the department