Available MSc Topics
Are you interested in doing a Master thesis project with us? Below is a list of currently open MSc thesis topics in the Spatial Genetics group. We’re also happy to discuss new topics that align with your interests and our group’s vision, don't hesitate to contact us! Start time of the projects is flexible, and we are open to students from different MSc programs based in and around Zurich.
Topics in Plant Ecology and Global Change
(Contact: Sofia van Moorsel)
Intraspecific variation in survival and performance of beech saplings in their first year of establishment
In this project, you will monitor a newly established beech common garden with several hundred very young beech saplings from all across Europe in a natural forest near Effretikon. How do these young trees fare in their new environment? How can we best quantify their performance using remote sensing methods?
Linking leaf and canopy spectra in a beech seedling common garden experiment
This project aims to use existing datasets and to develop new methodology to find out whether canopy spectra and leaf spectra are useful to predict the genetic variation within European beech (Fagus sylvatica).
More information (PDF, 1 MB)
Sofia van Moorsel
Extraction of phenotypic traits from virtual 3D assemblies of beech tree seedlings
This project aims to understand if the provenance of a tree affects its phenotype based on hundreds of beech saplings from all over Europe. To derive the phenotypes, you will develop and apply methods from photogrammetry and remote sensing.
Intraspecific variation in drought resilience of young beech trees
This project aims to investigate how varying levels of drought affect beech seedlings from across Europe, using leaf spectroscopy to explore phenotypic responses and assess the influence of genetic background on drought tolerance.
More information (PDF, 2 MB)
Sofia van Moorsel
Determining how tree species diversity affects the ability of Swiss forests to withstand drought
This project aims to investigate how biodiversity in Swiss forests influences the capability of different tree species to survive increasingly hotter and drier climates.
Topics in 4D Remote Sensing of Forests
(Contact:Felix Morsdorf)
Unveiling the Canopy: Potential and Limitations of Drone-Based Structure from Motion (SfM) in Forests
The primary objective of this research is to assess the potential of drone-based SfM methodologies in accurately characterizing different forest structures.
More information (PDF, 32 KB) (PDF, 276 KB)
Felix Morsdorf
Terrestrial LiDAR for forest monitoring
In this MSc, TLS and field data will be collected and the correlation between the ecological value of tree stems and the variations of its surfaces will be analyzed.
More information (PDF, 32 KB)
Felix Morsdorf
Topics in Landscape and Climate Change Genomics
(Contact: Oliver Selmoni)
Exploring the genomes of wild crops for sustainable and resilient agriculture
This project investigates the genetic diversity of wild varieties of crops living under extreme climatic conditions. The goal is to find genes that could help adapting commercial crops to climate change.
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Oliver Selmoni
Can we predict the future of biodiversity in a changing climate?
This project aims to assess how accurately species distribtions can be predicted from future climate projections.
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Oliver Selmoni
Empowering ocean species conservation with satellite and genomic data
This project integrates satellite observation of the ocean with genomic analyes of marine species to investigate the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity.
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Oliver Selmoni