Exploring spatial variation in mire soil and vegetation properties

Thanks to their high storage in carbon, mires represent a very important ecosystem, especially in the current climate change context. Peat properties combine with climatic conditions to determine plant species distribution and the extent of carbon sequestered. To understand better how the spatial patterns of peat properties explain plant species/type and nutrients distribution, this project will focus on three mires located less than 3 km apart in the Kulbäcksliden research area, near the municipality of Vindeln. To that end you will:

Sample and analyse peat cores (bulk density, loss on ignition, N, C, isotopes) and plants (biomass) across the four mires, and

Contribute in identifying plant species/types around the sampling points.

The analysis of the collected peat cores and plant samples will result in spatially distributed peat and vegetation properties that could help understand their heterogeneity within and between mires.

This project will give you a complete and unique field and research experience in boreal mires, with a multidisciplinary research team. You will also collaborate with other students for fieldwork. Prior field and lab work experience will be an asset, but a strong motivation will suffice to learn by doing.

For more information, please email Koffi Dodji Noumonvi (koffi.noumonvi@slu.se)

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