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Meelis Pärtel is a full Professor of Botany at the University of Tartu’s Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology. He has held this position since 2002, with continuous academic service at the university since 1991. His career includes roles such as Editor-in-Chief of prominent journals like Journal of Vegetation Science and leadership in national and international ecological organizations. Education: PhD in Botany (1997, University of Tartu), postdoctoral studies at the University of Regina (Canada) and Uppsala University (Sweden). Honors: Estonian State Science Awards (2024, 2009), Order of the White Star (2023), and Academia Europaea Young Scientist Award (1996). Research focuses on macroecology , plant trait evolution , and dark diversity theory . He explores how environmental heterogeneity and historical processes shape biodiversity. Key themes include community assembly rules, conservation strategies for plant diversity, and impacts of global change. Recent work emphasizes dark diversity —species expected but absent in local communities—and its implications for conservation. His studies span global grasslands, tropical forests, and temperate ecosystems, addressing biodiversity loss mechanisms. Notable projects include analyzing drought impacts on grasslands and quantifying functional diversity changes. Publications highlight methodological advancements in dark diversity modeling and collaborative global ecology initiatives. Supervised over a dozen postdoctoral researchers, fostering international collaborations in biodiversity research.

• Macroecology
• Plant trait evolution
• Community dynamics
• +3 more

Kalev Jõgiste is a distinguished academic at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, holding the position of Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Silviculture and Forest Ecology within the Institute of Forestry and Engineering. His career spans over three decades with roles including Professor (2009–2019), Department Head (2006–2017), and Fulbright Scholar (2010–2011). He has contributed to forest management, disturbance ecology, and sustainable forestry practices. Education: PhD in Forestry, Estonian Agricultural University (1998) MSc in Forestry, Estonian Agricultural Academy (1994) Research Interests: Focuses on forest disturbance dynamics, ecosystem resilience, boreal/hemiboreal forest management, and climate change impacts. His work emphasizes natural disturbance regimes, post-harvest recovery, and sustainable practices in managed forests. Key Projects: Coordinated the FORDISMAN network analyzing disturbance-based forest management strategies. Led research on storm impacts, salvage logging effects, and carbon dynamics in hemiboreal ecosystems. Participated in global initiatives like the IUFRO and EFINORD networks. Awards: 2017 National Science Award for agricultural sciences (shared) and 1989 recognition for his graduate work on forest succession. Grants & Roles: Secured funding for projects totaling over €2 million, including studies on storm damage, fire ecology, and carbon sequestration. Served on editorial boards of journals like Forest Ecology and Management and Forests , and held leadership roles in international forestry organizations. Labs/Teams: Active in the Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, contributing to long-term studies on old-growth forests and disturbance legacies. Collaborates with international teams on climate adaptation strategies and biodiversity conservation.

• Forest Ecology
• Forest Management
• Biodiversity
• +3 more

Simon Bell is a Professor at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (full-time) and holds a part-time Professorial role at the University of Edinburgh. He serves as the Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Chair of the Landscape Architecture Program. Previously, he was President of the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (2012–2018). His research focuses on outdoor recreation landscapes, wellbeing, forest landscapes, and Soviet-era rural landscapes. He earned a PhD from Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2009, an M.Phil (1981–1983), and a BSc (1976–1979). Education: PhD in Landscape Architecture, Estonian University of Life Sciences (2007–2009) M.Phil in Environmental Studies, 1981–1983 BSc in Forestry/Landscape Architecture, 1976–1979 Research interests span the intersection of environmental design and public health, with a particular emphasis on urban blue-green spaces, their impact on mental health, and the preservation of cultural landscapes. His work often involves transdisciplinary approaches, such as participatory GIS methods and community co-created interventions. He has contributed to international projects like COST Actions TU1201 and TD1106, focusing on urban agriculture and allotment gardens. Notable publications include studies on generative AI in landscape representation, the role of university campus design in student wellbeing, and cross-country analyses of nature exposure and wellbeing. His research highlights the importance of spatial variation, environmental aesthetics, and the socio-ecological impacts of urban development. Awards include the 2022 European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2002 Travelling Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has led over 18 projects, such as 'Linking Up Environment, Health and Climate' (€875,000) and 'Modernist Reinventions of the Rural Landscape' (€201,525). His administrative roles include coordinating the Eastern Baltic Network of Landscape Architecture Schools and leading initiatives to popularize European environmental policies. He collaborates internationally, with projects in China, Spain, and Poland, emphasizing cross-border and inter-disciplinary research.

• Outdoor Recreation Landscape
• Wellbeing and Mental Health
• Forest Landscape Analysis
• +7 more

Tim Maran is a Professor of Ecosemiotics and Environmental Humanities at the University of Tartu's Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics. He holds a Doctorate in Semiotics from the University of Tartu and has been a leading figure in ecosemiotics, zoosemiotics, and environmental humanities. His research integrates biosemiotic theory with cultural studies, focusing on semiotic relations between humans and nature, biological mimicry, and sustainability transitions. He has held administrative roles including Head of the Semiotics Department and membership in international academic societies like the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies. Education : PhD in Semiotics (2005), MA in Semiotics (2000), BSc in Zoology (1998), University of Tartu Research Focus : Ecosemiotics, zoosemiotics, environmental communication, cultural aspects of degrowth Recipient of multiple accolades including nominations for the National Science Award and the University of Tartu's Small Badge of Honour. He teaches courses on ecosemiotics, environmental humanities, and zoosemiotics in both Estonian and English.

• Ecosemiotics
• Environmental Humanities
• Zoosemiotics
• +5 more

Ülo Niinemets is Professor and Head of Department of Crop Science and Plant Biology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. A distinguished plant ecophysiologist with over 30 years of academic experience, he has held professorships at Estonian University of Life Sciences since 2009, served as Extraordinary Professor at Utrecht University (2007-2012), and held positions at University of Tartu and University of Hawaii. His educational background includes: Doctor Philosophiae in Ecophysiology from University of Tartu (1996) Master of Science in Biology-Ecophysiology from University of Tartu (1993) Diploma of Biology (Ecophysiology) from University of Tartu, graduated Cum Laude (1992) Niinemets specializes in plant ecophysiology with focus on volatile organic compound emission physiology, plant stress biology, and functional relations between plant structure and physiology. His research explores how plants acclimate and adapt to environmental changes, particularly in the context of global change biology. He has made significant contributions to understanding plant responses to light, temperature, and CO 2 variations, with applications in forestry and agriculture. His work bridges fundamental plant physiology with practical environmental and agricultural challenges, examining topics from cellular mechanisms to ecosystem-level processes. His recent publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach spanning plant stress physiology, urban ecology, agricultural science, and climate change impacts. Many studies focus on isoprene emissions, plant responses to climate change variables, and crop physiology under marginal conditions, reflecting his commitment to addressing both theoretical questions and practical applications in a changing world. Among his notable recognitions: National Science Prize in Bio- and geosciences (2018, 2000) White Star Order, IV class by the President of Estonia (2012) Best paper award from the Japanese Ecological Society (2011) National Science Prize in Chemistry and molecular biology (2006) Professor Niinemets has actively contributed to scientific discourse through editorial leadership, serving as editor for Oecologia since 2012, Frontiers in Plant Science since 2010, and as editor of the Tree Physiology book series since 2008. He has reviewed grant applications for multiple international funding agencies and served on the Science Policy Commission of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (2012-2017), helping shape national research priorities. His research group at the Estonian University of Life Sciences investigates plant responses to environmental stressors, with particular emphasis on volatile organic compounds and their ecological significance. The team employs a multi-scale approach, examining plant physiology from cellular mechanisms to ecosystem-level processes, with implications for understanding climate-vegetation interactions and developing climate-resilient agricultural practices.

• Plant Physiology
• Ecophysiology
• Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
• +5 more

Enrico Tordoni is a Researcher in Macroecology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences since 2021. His work focuses on integrating species traits, evolutionary biology, and species interactions to analyze biodiversity loss under global change, with particular emphasis on plant communities and alien species impacts across spatial scales. He actively contributes to dark diversity research, functional trait analysis, and habitat suitability modeling. Education : PhD in Ecology (2018) from the University of Trieste under Prof. Giovanni Bacaro Current Projects : Leading BIODECODE (2025-2029) on Anthropocene biodiversity changes; Co-investigator in agroecology and global change forecasting projects. His research combines long-term ecological data with trait-based methodologies to address: Climate extremes' effects on plant communities Xylem embolism and drought-induced urban tree decline Spectral diversity for functional pattern detection Methodological improvements in species distribution modeling He supervises two doctoral candidates and collaborates extensively with researchers in biodiversity informatics and ecological network analysis.

• Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Plant Ecology
• +4 more

Maris Saagpakk is an Associate Professor of German Literature and Cultural Studies at the Institute of Humanities, Tallinn University. She holds a PhD in Baltic-German Literature from the same institution (2007). Her research focuses on Baltic-German literary history, translation studies, life writing, sociolinguistics, and postcolonial cultural dynamics. She actively participates in interdisciplinary projects like PRG 1206 and has developed innovative language education strategies using linguistic landscapes and virtual reality tools. Education: PhD in Baltic-German Literature, Tallinn University (2007) Research interests span colonial patterns in Baltic-German narratives, multilingual translation practices, autobiographies of Baltic-German women, and sociolinguistic analysis of public spaces. Her work bridges historical text analysis with contemporary pedagogical applications, particularly in multilingual education contexts. Recent projects include exploring linguistic landscapes in Tallinn and Bautzen, and analyzing 19th-century Estonian translation cultures. Advising and grants involve leading the PRG 1206 research initiative and collaborating on educational projects integrating Baltic-German texts into DaF (German as a Foreign Language) curricula. She also pioneers experimental study programs blending field research in Berlin and Leipzig with university studies. Labs/Teams: Core member of Tallinn University's Baltic-German Cultural History research group and contributor to the 'Linguistic Landscapes' interdisciplinary platform.

• Baltic-German Literature
• Translation History
• Life Writing
• +5 more

Marek Metslaid is a Professor of Forestry at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering). He holds roles including Director of the Institute and membership in national and international forestry organizations. His research focuses on forest regeneration, disturbance ecology (fire, wind, bark beetles), and post-disturbance ecosystem recovery. He has led major projects on climate change impacts and forest management resilience. Education: Ph.D. in Forest Sciences (2008, EMÜ), postdoc at Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). Awards include the 2017 Estonian National Science Award (shared). Key research interests include boreal/hemiboreal forest dynamics, soil ecology, and silvicultural strategies. Over 130+ publications span journals like Forest Ecology and Management , Global Change Biology , and Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research . Grants include leading the €760k project 'Forest Fire Impacts on Soil and Vegetation' (2022–2026). Active in policy roles, including the Estonian Forestry Council and COST Actions on climate-adaptive forestry.

• Forest Regeneration
• Forest Disturbances (Fire, Wind, Bark Beetles)
• Post-Disturbance Ecological Recovery
• +3 more

Ene Kook is a Lecturer of Botany at the University of Tartu, affiliated with the Department of Botany within the Faculty of Science and Technology. Her research focuses on plant evolution, speciation, interspecific hybridization, and biodiversity patterns. She has held academic positions since 1994, including roles as a high school teacher and university specialist before becoming a lecturer in 2017. She earned her PhD (2016) and Master’s degree (2005) from the University of Tartu, studying plant genetics and systematics under supervisors Silvia Pihu and Ülle Reier. Her work involves field projects like the Estonian Biology Olympiad and GLOBE program expeditions, emphasizing practical botany education and fieldwork. Key research contributions include studies on dark diversity in plant communities, forest biodiversity, and genetic analyses of Myosotis and Pulmonaria species. She has participated in major projects like DarkDivNet and the Estonian Research Council-funded studies on biodiversity drivers. Her publications span 2009–2025, addressing topics such as community completeness, habitat connectivity, and species hybridization. She contributes to educational resources, including a herbarium guide for students. Collaborations include international networks like the GLOBE program and institutions across Europe.

• Plant Evolution
• Species Hybridization
• Biodiversity
• +3 more

Sara Bédard-Goulet is a Professor of Romance Studies and Visiting Research Fellow in Environmental Humanities at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures. She holds a PhD in French Language Literature (2012) from Université Toulouse Jean-Jaurès and Université de Montréal, and has held academic positions across Europe, including at UQAM and the University of Toulouse. She specializes in Francophone literature, environmental humanities, and interdisciplinary research-creation. Her research focuses on collapse narratives, eco-aesthetics, and the intersection of art and academia. Notable projects include leading the 'Response Events' initiative and organizing conferences on extinction and environmental semiotics. She has received prestigious fellowships, including the Akademie Schloss Solitude (2022) and the Estonian Culture Endowment stipend (2021). Bédard-Goulet has authored/co-edited volumes such as Nordic and Baltic Perspectives in Canadian Studies and Contemporary Collapse: New Narratives of the End . Her creative work includes contemporary art exhibitions like 'Missing' (2024) and 'Unknown' (2024). She serves on editorial boards for journals like Literatūra and Nordic Journal of Francophone Studies .

• Environmental Humanities
• French Literature
• Canadian Studies
• +4 more

Tatjana Oja is an Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Tartu , Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. Her academic career spans over two decades with positions at the University of Tartu since 2004. Doctorate in Botany and Mycology (1998) from University of Tartu Senior Research Fellow (2004-2021) and Associate Professor (2021-2025) Principal investigator for multiple Estonian Science Foundation grants (4082, 5739, 7544) Research Focus: Plant genetic diversity, population genetics, and conservation biology. She investigates genetic differentiation in complex plant genera like Rhinanthus, Carex, and orchids using molecular markers (DNA microsatellites, allozymes) to inform taxonomy and conservation strategies.

• Plant Genetic Diversity
• Population Genetics
• Plant Systematics
• +3 more

Rando Värnik is a Tenured Professor of Rural Economics and Head of the Chair of Rural Economics at the Estonian University of Life Sciences' Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. With over 25 years of academic experience since joining the institution in 1995, he has held various leadership positions including Director of the Institute of Economics and Social Sciences (2005-2014) and currently serves as Head of the Chair since 2022. His academic journey began at the Estonian Agricultural University where he earned his BSc in Agronomy (1994), MSc in Economy (1997), and PhD in Agricultural Economics (2001). PhD in Rural Economics, Estonian University of Life Sciences (1998-2001) Doctor of Economy in Agricultural Economics, Estonian Agricultural University (1996-2001) Master of Sciences in Economy, Estonian Agricultural University (1995-1997) Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, Estonian Agricultural University (1991-1994) Värnik's research focuses on rural economics, bioeconomy, circular economy value chains, and cooperative development. His work addresses critical issues in rural entrepreneurship, regional development, sustainability, and the implementation of food and agricultural policy. He has published extensively on topics including agricultural cooperatives, farm income variability, sustainable land management, and bioeconomy development across multiple countries including Estonia, Iran, and Kazakhstan. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economics with environmental science and social policy to address complex rural development challenges. Analysis of Värnik's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on sustainable rural development across multiple dimensions. His work spans agricultural economics, environmental management, and social sciences, with significant contributions to understanding value chains in bioeconomy, cooperative management, and rural entrepreneurship. Geographically, his research extends beyond Estonia to include studies in Iran, Kazakhstan, and multiple European countries, demonstrating an international perspective on rural economic issues. Best Rural Economy Lecturer in 2022 (Rural Development Foundation) Best Lecturer in Rural Economics in 2022 (Agriculture and Environmental Acknowledgment) Estonian University of Life Sciences Science Popularization Award 1st prize (2020) Medal of merit 'EestiMAA Heaks' (2017) Medal of merit of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (2015) Raefond prize (2012) Silver award of the Ministry of Agriculture (2007) Värnik serves as the responsible editor of the 'Rural Development Report' and is a member of the scientific advisory board for the German Journal of Agricultural Economics and the editorial board of Food Economics. He has led numerous international projects including the 'Long-term knowledge transfer program in the field of cooperation' (2017-2023) and serves on multiple councils including the Estonian University of Life Sciences Council (since 2025) and the Council of the Institute of Agriculture and Environment (since 2022). His leadership extends to the Estonian Association of Agricultural Economists where he has served as President since 2010.

• Rural Economics
• Agricultural Economics
• Bioeconomy
• +4 more

Reet Karise serves as Associate Professor of Applied Entomology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences within the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, specifically in the Chair of Plant Health. Her work bridges entomology, agricultural science, and environmental protection through extensive research on pollinator health and pesticide impacts. Institution: Estonian University of Life Sciences Unit: Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Sub-unit: Chair of Plant Health Contact: Kreutzwald 5, Tartu, Estonia Her research focuses on the intersection of agricultural practices and pollinator health, with particular emphasis on pesticide ecotoxicology, bee physiology, and plant-pollinator interactions. Current projects include WildPosh (Pan-European chemical stressor assessment) and EuPPollNet (European plant-pollinator database). She investigates how fungicides and insecticides interact to affect bumblebee respiration, develops novel monitoring techniques like MALDI BeeTyping for bee health diagnostics, and studies landscape-scale impacts of agricultural intensification on pollination services. Her work combines field studies across European agricultural sites with laboratory physiological assessments. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong trends in pesticide mixture toxicity (particularly fungicide-insecticide synergies), development of standardized monitoring protocols for pollinator health, and documentation of how land-use changes affect ecosystem services. Her research increasingly incorporates molecular techniques and large-scale European collaborations to address pollinator decline. Dr. Karise actively contributes to professional development in apiculture through cross-country training surveys and educational materials, including university textbooks on agricultural entomology. Her work extends to practical applications in entomovector technology for biocontrol and sustainable pollination management. She leads research on semi-natural grassland restoration for biodiversity conservation and investigates how afforestation affects ecosystem services. Her team develops field tools for bee health assessment and examines the relationship between hive debris microbiology and disease prevalence.

• Entomology
• Pollinator Health
• Pesticide Ecotoxicology
• +3 more

Kersti Riibak is a Research Fellow in Macroecology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (Faculty of Science and Technology). She holds a Ph.D. in Botany and Ecology from the University of Tartu (2018) and a Master's in Plant and Fungal Sciences (2011). Her research focuses on plant community ecology, dark diversity, dispersal limitation, and biodiversity conservation. She has led and contributed to projects such as the DarkDivNet global collaboration exploring dark diversity patterns. Her academic roles include serving as Program Director for Biology and Ecology BSc/MSc curricula (2018–2023) and coordinating teaching in floristics and student internships. Riibak's work bridges theoretical ecology with applied conservation, emphasizing the role of dispersal and habitat connectivity in restoring biodiversity. Key research interests include understanding how dispersal limitations shape plant communities, particularly in agricultural and grassland ecosystems. She has published extensively in journals like Nature , Ecology Letters , and Journal of Biogeography , with a focus on global vegetation patterns, community completeness, and ecological restoration strategies. Riibak has received awards such as the IAVS Travel Award (2017) and multiple scholarships for international research collaborations. She actively participates in science outreach, including workshops for students and publications explaining dark diversity methodologies.

• Macroecology
• Dark diversity
• Plant communities
• +3 more

Madli Jõks is a Research Fellow in Macroecology at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Science and Technology, within the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. She holds a PhD from the same institution (2023), focusing on biodiversity drivers in oceanic archipelagos and fragmented habitats using agent-based simulations. Her career includes roles as a Senior Specialist, Junior Research Fellow, and Specialist in Ecology. She has conducted research on biodiversity patterns, particularly in isolated ecosystems like oceanic islands and fragmented forests, employing advanced methods such as remote sensing and computational modeling. Education: PhD in Macroecology (2015–2023), MSc and BSc in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Tartu. Early education at Hugo Treffner Gymnasium. Research Interests: Large-scale biodiversity patterns, macroecological modeling, island biogeography, habitat fragmentation, dark diversity, and the application of agent-based simulations. She explores how spatial isolation and historical factors shape biodiversity, using interdisciplinary approaches. Publications highlight her work on global vegetation dynamics, temperate forest diversity, and the legacy of archipelago history on biodiversity. Her recent Nature paper (2025) addresses global vegetation impoverishment using dark diversity concepts. Scientific Awards: Dora Plus Scholarship (2017), SA Archimedes scholarships (2016). She contributes to projects like ‘Agroecology and new crops in future climates’ (2024–2030), focusing on climate-resilient agriculture and ecosystem functions. Advising and Grants: Participates in grants totaling millions in funding, including leadership in the RESTFUNC project (2020–2024) on biodiversity restoration and ecosystem functions. Collaborates with international networks like DarkDivNet and TraitDivNet. Labs/Teams: Member of the Macroecology lab at the University of Tartu, contributing to interdisciplinary ecological research.

• Macroecology
• Biodiversity Patterns
• Island Biogeography
• +5 more