Conservation biology

Biodiversity is declining, and we therefore need knowledge on how to reverse this negative trend. 

Our research is mainly based on observational studies and experiments in the field, analysis of environmental monitoring data, and syntheses of previous studies. We study different organism groups, such as insects, fungi, lichens, and vascular plants, but also important ecological functions such as carbon sequestration, decomposition, and pollination.

A large part of our research is about forests, but we also study agricultural landscapes and urban environments. We often put biodiversity in a larger perspective by linking it to ecosystem services and considering trade-offs with various societal goals. We frequently collaborate with various stakeholders, such as landowners and authorities.

Climate, land use, and biodiversity

We study the effects of climate and land use changes on biological communities and populations. For example, we conduct research on species occurrence patterns in relation to regional climate and microclimate, how communities and populations are affected by changes in climate and land use, and evaluate strategies for managing landscapes to preserve biodiversity in a changing climate.

Contacts: Mari Jönsson, Thomas Ranius, Erik Öckinger, Joachim Strengbom, Aino Hämäläinen

Forestry, biodiversity, and ecosystem services

We study how forestry practices can be adapted to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Previously, much of our research has been about the benefits of retention in forestry and the consequences of removing branches, tops and stumps during final felling for use as biofuel. Ongoing projects deal with, for example, how biodiversity and carbon flows are affected by switching to continuous cover forestry, and the consequences of conservation measures in forestry (for instance, prescribed burnings and translocation of species and substrates) and what is done with trees killed by the spruce bark beetle.

Contacts: Joachim Strengbom, Thomas Ranius, Mari Jönsson

Green infrastructure, biodiversity and ecosystem services

To preserve species in the long term, it is important that there is enough of their habitats, but also that they are able to disperse in the landscape. We investigate the importance of the spatial location of, for example, protected areas and where various nature conservation and restoration measures should be carried out to make the greatest benefit for biodiversity and ecosystem services. For example, it can be about where prescribed burnings or dead wood are located in relation to species occurrence patterns. We also conduct research on how habitats that can act as dispersal routes, such as roadsides and power line corridors and green areas in cities, should be designed and managed to benefit biodiversity.

Contacts: Erik Öckinger, Aino Hämäläinen, Mari Jönsson, Thomas Ranius

Measurement and monitoring of biodiversity and conservation values

In nature conservation, it is often important to identify areas with high conservation values and monitor the development of conservation values over time. Measurements of biodiversity and conservation values should be conducted in a way that is both reliable and feasible. For example, we conduct research on:

• how to use e-DNA to monitor lichens.
• the extent to which structures such as dead wood or old trees predict high conservation values.
• the effectiveness of indicator species in identifying areas of high biodiversity.
• How citizen science can contribute to the collection of information and dissemination of knowledge about biodiversity.

Contacts: Aino Hämäläinen, Malin Tälle, Joachim Strengbom, Mari Jönsson