Will Aepli ’26, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Will Aepli ’26

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Mechanisms of Shrubification in a Changing Arctic

Presentation Link

View Will's Presentation

Minor(s): Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

The Arctic is perhaps the most challenging environment for life to succeed, but in recent years, deciduous shrubs have increasingly found a home in this unforgiving landscape. Our project aimed to clarify the mechanisms behind the shrubification of the Arctic through the use of climate manipulations. We tested whether warming temperatures, increased nitrogen in the soil, or a longer snow-free summer could be behind the Arctic’s increasing shrubification. My primary responsibility was to collect a wide variety of data, including plant photorespiration rates, thaw depth measurements and phenology timelines. I also assisted with miscellaneous tasks such as coding, installation of various devices and photography. This experience taught me how proper experimental design can help test a theoretical or underexplored question, which will be critical for my senior thesis, where I hope to model species competition and success. By interacting with numerous research groups at the station, I learned to be curious about the everyday phenomena around us, to thrive in an isolated, tough environment and how to have fun in the process.