معرفی
Åsa Berglund is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience at Umeå University, where she serves as program director for the bachelor’s program in Environmental Science with sustainability profile. Her research and teaching focus on ecotoxicology, particularly the effects of metal contamination on ecosystems and wildlife.
- Research Qualifications: Docent
- Educational Qualifications: Recognised university teacher
Her primary research lies in ecotoxicology, with a special focus on metal-contaminated environments and their effects on biota. She investigates the transport of metals from aquatic to terrestrial environments, mediated by aquatic insects, and the subsequent impacts on bird populations. Additionally, she studies the long-term effects of mining and the recovery of ecosystems in mining-impacted areas, employing a holistic approach that combines paleolimnological, ecological, and ecotoxicological tools. By analyzing lake sediment records, she monitors historic mining impacts and assesses environmental effects through benthic communities and long-term bird population records.
Her recent publications (2015-2023) predominantly focus on the effects of metal contamination, particularly lead and zinc, on ecosystems. Key themes include the bioaccumulation of metals in birds and small mammals, the role of aquatic-terrestrial linkages in contaminant transfer, and the recovery of ecosystems after reduced industrial emissions. Her work often employs field studies, mesocosm experiments, and long-term monitoring, with a strong emphasis on northern Sweden’s mining-affected regions.
As program director for the Environmental Science bachelor’s program, she oversees a transdisciplinary curriculum aimed at solving global environmental and sustainability challenges. Her research is supported by projects such as “Cross-ecosystem boundary effects of metal contamination” (2016-2021) and “Transport of contaminants across ecosystem boundaries” (2016-2021), indicating active grant funding for her work on metal contamination and ecosystem boundaries.
She is an active member of multiple research groups at Umeå University, including Freshwater Ecology, Paleolimnology, and Terrestrial Ecology. These groups facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration on projects examining the impacts of contaminants across ecosystem boundaries and the recovery of ecosystems from historical mining activities.
