Centre of Excellence in Peatlands, Climate Change and Ecological Restoration (PeatResC) is a joint effort by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Aalto University and the University of Helsinki to assess ongoing changes in northern peatlands.
We investigate how climate change affects peatland biodiversity and their climate response, and how upcoming large-scale restoration efforts in Finland and elsewhere in Europe will, in turn, influence peatlands and their functioning. We approach these questions using extensive and long-term datasets of ecosystem-atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange measurements and vegetation dynamics, as well as novel methods from the fields of paleoecology, remote sensing, experimental ecological research, modeling and disaggregative decision-support methods.
In addition to producing scientific outputs, we are committed to educating new experts to solve multidisciplinary challenges related to the future of peatlands. We promote collaboration across research fields and a holistic approach to peatland science by organizing biannual research community meetings, summer schools, and international conferences.
Our key questions
- What is the fate of northern peatlands’ biodiversity and carbon sinks?
- What is the role of peatlands in the recent surge of atmospheric CH4?
- What are peatlands’ biophysical feedbacks to climate?
- What are the full impacts of peatland restoration on vegetation, biodiversity, greenhouse gas fluxes, peat accumulation, and biophysical properties?
Our people and research aims
Our organizations
Our excellent research is conducted at the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland, the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland, the Environmental Change Research Unit (ECRU) at the University of Helsinki, the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki, the Climate System research unit at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the School of Engineering at Aalto University.
Our funder
We have been granted the Centre of Excellence status for the term 2026-2033 by the Research Council of Finland as a sign of being at the very cutting edge of science within our field. Funding from our research comes jointly from the Research Council of Finland, the hosting universities and research institutes, and many other, smaller sources.
CoE leaders
PeatResC is led by Professor Eeva-Stiina Tuittila (University of Eastern Finland), Professor Annalea Lohila (Finnish Meteorological Institute), Senior Research Scientist Tuula Aalto (Finnish Meteorological Institute), Professor Miina Rautiainen (Aalto University) and University Researcher Minna Väliranta (University of Helsinki).
PeatResC is a consortium of researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. The coordinating team of PeatResC is located at the School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland.