University of Helsinki
Forest Soil Seminars, 2018 –
Viikki Soil Science seminar gathers scientists and students of the campus to hear, learn and discuss of topics that focus on soils, their characteristics and processes, above-belowground interactions, interactions between soils and the environment, and various soil-related studies that span from molecular to global scales. The main aim is to share recent scientific findings and ideas, and connect people
Recent Ph.D defenses
2020
Maiju Kosunen defended her thesis Insect and storm disturbance in boreal forests – predisposing site factors and impacts on ecosystem carbon on 4.9.2020. The opponent was Associated Prof. Johan Stendahl, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.
2018
Lilli Kaarakka defended her thesis Soil changes and long-term ecosystem recovery from physical and chemical load –stump harvesting and sprinkling infiltration as case studies on 9.11.2018. The opponent was Prof. Dan Binkley, Northern Arizona University, USA.
On Wednesday and Thursday 7-8.11.2018, before the defense, the Opponent Prof. Dan Binkley gave lectures on Designing and Publishing Strong Research Projects, How to make effective oral presentations, Forest Soils Always Change across Space and Time and Four Decades of ForestProductivity – patterns, processes, and mysteries.
2016
Sylwia Adamczyk defended her thesis Role of terpenes in carbon and nitrogen cycling in boreal forest soils on 28.10.2016 and there was a pre-defence seminar on Forest soil C and N processes in a changing environment the day before. The opponent was Assoc. Prof. Mona Högberg from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences at Umeå.
Earlier Forest Soil Seminars
Autumn 2017
Thursday 16.11.2017 at 14.00 – 15.30, Seminar room 332, Viikki B-building
Kristiina Karhu: Priming effect in boreal forest soils along a fertility gradient
Elisa Halmeenmäki: The role of methanogens and methanotrophs in the CH4 fluxes in boreal ecosystems
Tiina Törmänen: How logging residues of different tree species affect soil N cycling and losses after final felling?
Biomass harvesting for energy – latest scientific knowledge on the ecological impacts in Nordic forests
Research seminar, Wednesday 5th April 2017 at 9–16, Viikki Infocenter, Auditorium 2, Funding: Nessling Foundation
9.00 – 9.10 Opening; Prof. Heljä-Sisko Helmisaari, University of Helsinki
9.10 – 10.00 What is the highest sustainable level of harvesting slash and stumps for energy in Sweden? Summary of Swedish research on the environmental impacts of forest energy; Assoc. prof. Bengt Olsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
10.00 – 10.40 Birches and alders as short-rotation species for biomass production – results from long-term research in Estonia; Prof. Veiko Uri, Estonian University of Life Science
10.40 – 11.10 Forest biomass use for energy – present situation and future trends; Dr. Johanna Routa, Natural Resources Institute Finland
11.10 – 12.20 Lunch break (own cost)
12.20 – 12.50 Stump harvesting, surface disturbance and time – changes in soil C and N dynamics; M.Sc Lilli Kaarakka Univ. of Helsinki
12.50 – 13.20 Logging residue harvest on mineral soils: Effects on soil properties and tree growth; Doc. Aino Smolander, Natural Resources Institute Finland
13.20 – 13.50 Tree biomass components as nutrient sources – nutrient balances and sustainability; Doc. Marjo Palviainen, University of Helsinki
13.50 – 14.10 Biomass harvesting for energy in peatland forests: effects on site nutrient pools; Prof. Raija Laiho, Natural Resources Institute Finland
14.10 – 14.30 Coffee (served)
14.30 – 14.50 Do logging residue piles trigger extra decomposition of soil organic matter? Dr. Paavo Ojanen, University of Helsinki
14.50 – 15.20 Effects of stump and residue harvesting on the carbon balance and climate impact of forests; Prof. Jari Liski, Finnish Meteorological Institute
15.20 – 15.50 Forest bioenergy for climate mitigation – carbon rules but do we understand other climate agents; Dr. Tuomo Kalliokoski, University of Helsinki
15.50 – 16.00 Final words
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Spring 2017, Forest soil seminars
Thursday 6.4 at 14, Forest Sciences, B-buiding, 3rd floor, seminar room 332
Theme: Roots and mycorrhiza
Yiyang Ding: Fine root biomass and longevity between birch and understory vegetation in Northern Finland
Rabbil Bhuiyan: Estimating fine root production in boreal peatlands – a methodological perspective
Heikki Kiheri: Effects of long-term nitrogen fertilization on ericoid mycorrhization at Whim Bog
Thursday 2.3 at 14, Forest Sciences, B-building, 3rd floor, seminar room 332
Theme: Environmental and biotic changes/disturbancies
Maiju Kosunen: Storm and bark beetle outbreak effects on carbon dynamics in boreal spruce stands
Qian Zhao: Response of soil microbial community to seasonal change in precipitation in subtropical forests
Bartosz Adamczyk: How mycorrhizal plant-soil interactions affect formation and degradation of soil organic matter in boreal forest