Matthias Siewert

Matthias Siewert is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University. His research focuses on Arctic and permafrost environments, employing GIS, remote sensing, and drone technologies to study soil organic carbon dynamics, vegetation distribution/productivity, and plant-herbivore interactions (e.g., voles, reindeer). He teaches geosciences, physical geography, geomorphology, and advanced GIS/remote sensing courses.

Key research interests include:

• Permafrost degradation and its environmental impacts
• Arctic vegetation mapping at high spatial resolution
• Carbon cycle dynamics in peatlands and tundra
• Applications of UAVs and machine learning in ecological monitoring

He leads or participates in research projects such as the EU-funded ILLUQ project (2024–2025) and the 'Greening of the Arctic' initiative. His work bridges science and society through outreach projects like the 'Frozen-Ground Cartoons' collaboration with artists to communicate permafrost science.

Recent publications emphasize innovative methods like deep learning for ant mound mapping and high-resolution biomass assessments. He actively engages in international collaborations, contributing to pan-Arctic datasets and policy-oriented educational frameworks.