Forest Health and Biodiversity Management
Abiotic and biotic disturbances and climate change have major impacts on the health and vitality of the forests and can result in major economic losses and harmful environmental impacts. They can have unfavourable effects on tree growth, biomass and wood yield, tree survival and quality of wood, non-wood products and wildlife habitats, recreation and scenic and cultural values. Climate change is worsening these impacts and there is still major uncertainty about the interactions between disturbances, climate change and forests. Forest health is also linked to forest ecosystem services provided by forests.
The Forest Health Research Group is investigating the effects of forest disturbances (such as climate change) on forest health utilization and on forestry. In particular, the group is studying the interactions between microbes, fungi and forest animals associated with forest trees, especially in the context of forest ecosystem disturbances. The effects of forest management on game and game habitats as well as game oriented forest management are of particular interest.
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Other group members
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Mark Appiah mark.appiah@uef.fi
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Olli-Pekka Tikkanen olli-pekka.tikkanen@uef.fi