The Swedish King visited SLU on account of Environmental Professorship

SLU:s vice-chancellor Maria Knutson Wedel greeted the king welcome in an opening speach and emphasised the importance of joining internationally significant research on forest, water and climate together.

– It is a great honor to welcome His Majesty to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and at the same time acknowledge the important research which helps us understand how ongoing and future climate change affects our forests and water resources. Professor James Kichner is a world leading researcher who, through deep scientific understanding adreses questions which are vital for the future of our society. As vice-chancellor I am very glad to have the opportunity to tie this world class research to SLU:s advance research facilities, says Maria Knutson Wedel. 

James Kirchner is a leading researcher in hydrology, the study of water, working at ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL as well as the University of California, Berkley. His research has contributed to the greater understanding of how climate change affects water flows in the forest landscape. His work has provided insights in the interplay between rain, snowmelt, ground water and the trees’ uptake, knowledge which is central to understanding both forests in the future and the life in our small forest streams.

– It is wonderful to see the kings interest in environmental sciences in general and the forest in particular. Given the professorship that was established in his name this is no surprise, and it is a great honour to be the recipient. Forests and water are deeply linked systems and through understanding how they are affected by climate change, we can also better understand how the future landscapes and ecosystems will develop, says Professor James Kirchner.

The day contained multiple lectures and presentations, both by the kings appointed Professor James Kirchner as well as researchers within the WIFORCE programme. The King also joined Professor Hjalmar Laudon on a walk through the campus forest where research on water and trees was demonstrated in the field.

During the visit, the research program WIFORCE (Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research) was also presented; Swedens largest forest research program which is operated by SLU and funded by the Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The program mobilizes research dedicated to sustainable forest management and the role of forests in a changing climate.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase vital research infrastructure at SLU, among them a platform where researchers can monitor the growth of trees automatically. The King was also shown how drones and remote sensing technologies can be used to study the development and health of forests. During the visit, the governor of Västerbotten county joined his majesty.

The King Carl XVI Gustafs professorship in environmental sciences was created to tie internationally recognized scientist to Swedish environmental research.