Elina Paavonen

My research focuses on understanding the interconnected roles of freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The aim is to investigate how anthropogenic changes in the freshwater cycle affect freshwater-supported systems and modify their ecological structure and thresholds. I work in the AQUAGUARD project where we examine shifts in the global freshwater cycle, the human influences driving these changes, and their impacts on the Earth system. The goal is to identify solutions to protect the essential functions that freshwater provides.