Agnes Sepaste

Agnes Sepaste is a Junior Research Fellow (0.40 position) at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, specifically within the Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology. She is currently pursuing her PhD studies at the same institution under the supervision of Veiko Uri and Mai Kukumägi, with her research focusing on the effect of selective felling and shelterwood cutting on ecosystem carbon budget.

Her educational background includes a Master of Science in Agriculture (Forest Management) completed in 2020 and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences completed in 2016, both from the Estonian University of Life Sciences. She began her PhD studies in Forestry in 2021.

Dr. Sepaste's research primarily centers on forest carbon dynamics, with particular emphasis on how different forest management practices affect carbon storage and cycling in hemiboreal forests. Her work investigates the impacts of shelterwood cutting versus clear-cutting, selection cutting management in mature stands, and carbon budget dynamics in various forest types including Scots pine and birch stands. She employs chronosequence analyses and comparative studies to understand carbon sequestration patterns across different forest management regimes.

Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on carbon cycling in forest ecosystems, with numerous articles in high-impact forestry journals including Forest Ecology and Management, Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, and The Science of The Total Environment. Her research consistently addresses the interplay between forest management practices and carbon dynamics, contributing valuable insights for sustainable forestry and climate change mitigation strategies.

• Endel Laas Scholarship (2021)
• Andres Mathiesen Scholarship (2019)

Dr. Sepaste serves as a member of the Council of Estonian University of Life Sciences Institute of Forestry and Engineering since 2023. She is actively involved in multiple research projects with substantial funding, including projects focused on carbon budget in pine stands on organic soils, carbon cycling in peatland forests, climate-smart solutions for biodiversity enhancement, and transition to continuous cover forestry. Her work bridges scientific research with practical forest management applications, contributing to Estonia's forestry practices and climate change mitigation strategies.