Advancing the modelling of the peatland carbon balance through assimilation of high-resolution component flux and phenology data (2020-23)
SLU
This project aims to improve carbon cycle models for boreal peatlands by integrating high-resolution data on CO₂ fluxes and plant phenology. Current models lack detailed empirical data on photosynthesis and respiration processes, limiting their accuracy. By collecting data from contrasting fen and bog ecosystems, the project will refine algorithms for plant and microbial respiration and develop a dynamic vegetation model. These advancements will enhance simulations of carbon exchange and improve predictions of peatland-climate feedbacks under global change.
CORE Climate costs of boreal forest clear-cutting - a multiscale experiment (2018-21)
Lund University, University of Helsinki, Swansea University
The CORE project aims to assess the climate effects of rotation forestry at Norunda, the boreal research site with Sweden's longest record of greenhouse gas flux measurements. Within the project. i.a., exchanges of the greenhouse gases CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide are measured to derive the full greenhouse gas budget of the area, but also biomass dynamics, soil conditions, groundwater and soil moisture dynamics, at scales spanning from microbes to the ecosystem. The dataset is then used to calibrate the ecosystem model LPJ-Guess, simulate greenhouse gas sinks and sources from land and vegetation, and analyse consequences of a range of reforestation strategies and climate change scenarios.
Forest-atmosphere exchanges and climate feedbacks (2015-18)
Lund University
The VR-funded project investigated aerosol and trace gas exchange between the boreal forest and the lower troposphere, aiming to quantify fluxes and vertical profiles of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) and the secondary organic aerosols (BSOA) they form. These processes, occurring in and above the forest canopy, are central to forest carbon sequestration and are sensitive to climate change. The project aimed at contributing to a better understanding of how atmospheric interactions influence the forest carbon cycle.
MOSS - Management strategies for tree colonized peatland ecOSyStems (2021-24)
Lund University
The FORMAS funded research project, active at among others Mycklemossen, aimed to formulate recommendations and directives on how peatlands should be preserved or restored given different tree coverage and hydrological histories.
Hyper-Forest: Below canopy hyperspectral drones for forestry (2021-2023)
Deep Forestry AB
The Hyper-Forest project developed and tested autonomous drones capable of calculating a forest’s annual greenhouse gas flux, including carbon dioxide sequestration. These drones navigate through tree canopies to collect high-resolution data from both canopy and forest floor. Compared to existing methods, the new system showed significant advantages and attracted strong interest from governments, academia, and industry.
After successful trials in late 2023, stakeholders began planning scale-up and further R&D through 2024. Deep Forestry AB, the main commercial partner, has set a strategy for market release by spring 2025.
Quantifying and partitioning forest evapotranspiration based on co-located radar and flux tower measurements (2021-2023)
Chalmers University of Technology
This VR-funded project investigated the link between radar measurements and forest evapotranspiration (ET), a key factor in climate and hydrological models. ET is difficult to measure accurately across large areas, and the lack of long-term, spatially distributed data limits understanding of forest-climate interactions. By combining radar and flux tower data at Svartberget, the project aimed to develop the first models connecting radar signals to ET and its components. These models will enable global, high-resolution monitoring of forest ET, improving climate predictions and addressing uncertainties in water cycle dynamics.