Participant number 3.
Short name: IE
Department of Landscape Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Estonia.
Principal investigator for ACCROTELM: Dr Edgar Karofeld
Brief summary of the department and its capabilities:
Basic research in the department is concentrated on study of changes in the state and dynamics of landscapes and ecosystems with special attention to coastal landscapes and mires. Several palaeoecological methods are applied to reconstruct the dynamics of ecosystems and environmental conditions. There are 10 associates in the dept, including 5 Ph.D., 4 Ph.D.- and 1 M.Sc. students.
In mire research, studies are focused on the influence of different environmental and human factors on the formation and development of mires. Special attention is paid to the formation and role of bog microtopography, the ecology of Sphagnum, succession in plant communities and palaeoecological reconstruction. Important areas are studies on peat accumulation and carbon budget of bogs, including using scientific evaluation for the restoration of former peat cutting areas. Studies are also active in island and coastal landscapes, focussed on the dependence of biological diversity on the landscape pattern and changes in human impact. Basic research in the department is conducted within state-financed scientific projects, grants from the Estonian Scientific Foundation and various international projects. The experience and data from basic research are used in applied research to investigate and find out the ways to solve environmental problems, reduce environmental risk, EIA, etc. Among our clients are state, municipal, county and local authorities as well as state-owned, private and international enterprises. The Department has long experience in wetlands research, with laboratory facilities and equipment to sample and study peat and lake sediments.
Staff involved in ACCROTELM:
Dr Edgar KAROFELD
Dr Ülle SILLASOO
Dr Mati ILOMETS
Elve LODE
Ralmo PAJULA
Role of the department within ACCROTELM:
Expertise in Baltic mires; peat growth-rates,
carbon accumulation; ecosystem vulnerability (Baltic)
Contribution to WPs 1, 4, 7, 9, 10
Site co-ordinator for the Estonian mire