Doctoral Research

ATREE students will be mentored by their supervisors and doctoral committee, but are encouraged to develop and pursue their independent research interests. Doctoral students will be expected to contribute to grant proposals and also write short proposals to secure funding for their research. Grant proposals written by students should be submitted in consultation with supervisors and should follow the ATREE guidelines for submitting grant proposals.

ATREE promotes collaborative research and encourages students to collaborate with scientists in other institutions in India and abroad. ATREE has formal/informal partnerships with several leading institutions in the country, thus enhancing the range of possible areas for student-driven research. Students could form simple collaborations or invite external scientists to become members of their doctoral committee, conforming to the established guidelines.

Field research projects may require explicit permission from the state forest departments, particularly if the research is to be carried out in a protected area. Under some circumstances, special permits may even be required from other governmental agencies such as the National Biodiversity Authority. ATREE has obtained institutional research permits at several field sites, but if any special research permits are needed, then ATREE will assist in filing for the grant of such permits. All communication with the forest departments and government agencies regarding research permits should be done through the ATREE Director's office.

Given below is a sample list of activities for which special permits will be required:

• Plant and animal specimen collection for taxonomic work
• Collection of plant and animal genetic material for molecular ecological work
• Field experiments that involve manipulations such as transplanting, removal of ground vegetation, controlled burning of ground vegetation, excluding or trapping of insects, birds, and animals.
• Soils and hydrology studies that involve soil sample collection and field installation of instruments
• Installing permanent vegetation plots

Field Research

ATREE has a network of field research sites, primarily in the Western Ghats, but also in Eastern Himalayas, that offer excellent field infrastructural facilities for research. At these field sites we typically have ongoing research, conservation action and conservation education programmes. At many sites we have built active partnerships with local communities through the establishment of community conservation centres. We also continue to monitor and collect basic taxonomic, ecological, and socio-economic data on a regular basis at these sites. For more information ATREE's field facilities see http://www.atree.org/sites.html

Inter-institutional collaboration for Research

ATREE has signed MOU's with various institutions that would provide our doctoral students with opportunities for collaborative research and training. The following is a list of such institutions in India and other countries:

• Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment and Development, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Department of International Environment and Development Studies (NORAGRIC), Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
• Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand, Gujarat, India
• Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health and Traditions, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Green Foundation, Thalli and Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Institute for Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Kalpavriksh, Pune, Maharashtra, India
• National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, Karnataka, India
• Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.