Saskia in... Ghana!! -a new trip-

It's been a few years since I've used this weblog and even though I wasn't planning on blogging this time, I've changed my mind :)

So, what's going on?.. I am since 6 days in Ghana. In total I stay for 3 months at the Forestry Research of Ghana (SCIR-FORIG) to do field work for my master's thesis at Wageningen University (WUR). The subject is the effect of leaf herbivory (mostly by insects) on the distribution and performance of tropical tree species along a rainfall gradient in Ghana. The study is an add-on to the PhD study of Lucy Amissah, a strong and very kind Ghanaian woman who does her PhD at WUR.

With the changing climate, rainfall fluctuations will change and as a result the forests will change. Many people are highly concerned about this, especially considering the combined impact of a changing climate and high rates of deforestation due to (illegal) mining and logging. With this project I will generate new scientific knowledge and gain a lot of research and life experience for myself.