Research at the department
Our research is organised under seven subject areas where we develop knowledge about forest ecosystems and the processes that drive them. This knowledge is then transferred to best forest management practices for given management goals. All within the framework of adaptive forest management and in cooperation with relevant stakeholders. Focus is on boreal forests - but we do research also in the tropics.
Main research areas
Specific research areas
Digital Landscape Technologies
Soil Moisture Maps
The SLU Soil Moisture Map is a high-resolution map that shows soil moisture on a scale from 0 to 100, where low values indicate dry soil and high values indicate wet soil.
For more information Soil Moisture Map
Peat Maps
Here is a comprehensive peat map of the forest landscape by predicting.The peat map is released as two different products, a classified map and a continuous map of the thickness of the organic layer.
For more information Peat Maps
Contact
Ditch Maps
The ditch maps are two high-resolution maps that show ditches as grids. The maps have been developed by artificial intelligence (AI) trained to identify ditches in high-resolution elevation models.
For more information SLU Dikeskartor
Contact
William Lidberg
Researcher at Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Phone: +46706295567
E-mail: william.lidberg@slu.se
Biosphere-atmosphere interactions
Biosphere-atmosphere interactions
The boreal biome is an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle and therefore a key element in national and international policy frameworks for climate change mitigation. However, current estimates of its sink-source strength and its responses to management and climate change remain uncertain. Thus, we need to improve our understanding of biosphere-atmosphere exchanges of C and GHGs for which comprehensive empirical data are required across multiple spatio-temporal scales. We get these data through a comprehensive network of flux- and environmental monitoring stations, read more under Infrastructure.
Contact
Matthias Peichl, Professor
Department of Forest Ecology & Management, SLU
matthias.peichl@slu.se
Mercury biogeochemistry in forest-wetland-lake ecosystem
Our research focuses on improving the understanding of factors and processes in the control of mercury (Hg) transformations in soils and waters, such as the reduction and methylation of Hg(II) and demethylation of the neurotoxin methyl mercury (MeHg).
For more information Mercury biogeochemistry in forest-wetland-lake ecosystems
Contact

Ulf Skyllberg, Professor
Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, joint staff
Soil biogeochemistry
This project studies whether restoration of drained wetlands in the boreal landscape can lead to negative environmental effects in the form of increased methylation of mercury, as well as emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Through extensive sampling of pristine, drained and restored wetland sites, these biogeochemical effects will be mapped both in time and in space.
Vacancy
For more information Soil Biogeochemistry
Contact
Researcher at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management; Department of Forest Ecology and Management, joint staff
Tree and Forest for Global Development
Our research for global development spans a broad range of tropical ecosystems, from natural wet forests to savannas, tree plantations, and agroforestry.
We strive to explore the potential benefits that tree-based restoration and forest management can bring, such as enhanced water quality, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, soil fertility, and food and nutrition security. We work across the forest, agricultural and rangeland ecosystems.
Fore more information Trees and Forest for Global Development
Contact
Ulrik Ilstedt, Researcher
Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU
ulrik.ilstedt@slu.se, +46907868390, +46701510075