Constructing a literature-based species interaction network of the forest

Beechnuts, the seeds of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), are an essential food resource for a variety of species in the forest, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), rodents and several bird species. Beeches vary however strongly in their reproductive output between years, a process called masting, leading to pulsed resource dynamics that affect the demographics of these dependent species. In the literature, these effects are well described for individual species and simple trophic chains, but the more complex interaction network of species is yet understudied.

The first step in understanding these complex dynamics is to construct a species interaction network based on existing knowledge that describes which species interact which each other and in which way. This requires an in-depth qualitative literature research of scientific literature and potentially grey literature, focussed on the Dutch forests in the Veluwe.

The aim of this student project is therefore to construct a species interaction network around beechnuts by conducting a literature research and identifying pair-wise interactions, including all first-degree interactions between beechnuts and a range of other players in the ecosystem, as well as second-degree interactions of these players with each other and with other species (i.e., interactions that do not directly include beech, but which can indirectly be influenced by the beech seed dynamics).

Practical information:

This project can either be an internship or a literature study project.

Start date: 15 September 2025 (or later)

Duration: flexible

Location: Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen