Terrestrial ecosystems exchange carbon, greenhouse gases and water vapor with the atmosphere. These land-atmosphere interactions play essential roles in regulating both our local and global climate. Complex interrelations exist between atmosphere and land surface influencing physical, biogeochemical, and biological properties and conditions. Moreover, these interrelations underlay a continuous change due to human interference and climate change feedbacks.

These land-atmosphere exchanges and their responses to the environment can be quantified with the eddy covariance (EC) technique, which includes high-frequency flux measurements from the top of a tower. Our research group operates 12 flux stations around the town of Vindeln, established across different mature forests, clearcuts, as well as natural and drained peatland sites. Additional data from other Swedish sites could be obtained from the ICOS Sweden flux tower network. For more information see:

https://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/forskning/the-forest-landscapes-climate-effects/

https://www.slu.se/en/departments/field-based-forest-research/experimental-forests/vindeln-experimental-forests/the-kulbacksliden-research-infrastructure/

https://www.icos-sweden.se/

This Master Thesis Project will analyze data on any of the exchanges of CO2, CH4, water vapor and/or energy carbon (CO2 and/or CH4) between boreal ecosystems and the atmosphere.

Potential thesis topics/questions could be:

1) Comparing C and GHG balances between mature forest and clearcuts areas

2) Evaluate evapotranspiration among natural and drained peatlands

3) To explore nitrogen addition effects on the mire vegetation and associated C and GHG balance

4) Compare C balances of forests and mires across Sweden (using data from ICOS Sweden)