Large herbivores are increasingly included as integrated parts of natural areas in Europe, including the Danish “nature-national-parks”. The role of such animals for providing essential ecological functions is well-established. Yet, knowledge about how they interact with present ecosystems is lacking, which is essential to ensure effective re-establishment of natural processes in areas where large herbivores are introduced. During his PhD studies, Emil Sloth Thomassen used environmental DNA to investigate effects of cattle, horse and bison on vegetation and biodiversity. He also investigated how management actions, such as provision of supplementary feeding and anti-parasitic treatments affected the way they interact with the ecosystem. This research contributes to the understanding of the ecology of large wild-living herbivores and provides valuable knowledge which can guide species-selection and management decisions in contemporary and future rewilding and nature restoration projects. 

The PhD study was completed at Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Monday, 26^th of May at 13.00
Place: Building 1531, room 113, Aud. D1, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Trophic rewilding investigated with environmental DNA
Contact information: Emil Sloth Thomassen, e-mail: eet@bio.au.dk, tel.: +45 26353790
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Eline Deirdre Lorenzen, Globe Institute, Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Professor Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Italy
Associate Professor Alejandro Ordonez Gloria (chair), Institute of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Associate Professor Philip Francis Thomsen, Institute of Biology, Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.