Marko Hyvärinen

Marko Hyvärinen serves as Director of the Botany and Mycology Unit for Plant Adaptation and Conservation and Director of the Finnish Museum of Natural History at the University of Helsinki. With over three decades of documented research activity since 1991, he has established himself as a leading figure in plant conservation biology, particularly focusing on climate change impacts on plant species and biodiversity conservation strategies. His work bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications across Finland and the Nordic region.

Dr. Hyvärinen's research interests center on plant conservation biology with particular emphasis on climate change adaptation, ex-situ conservation techniques, and the preservation of crop wild relatives. His work addresses critical challenges in biodiversity preservation under rapidly changing environmental conditions, with special attention to Arctic and coastal ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to environmental shifts. He has made significant contributions to understanding evolutionary responses of plant species to climate change and developing practical conservation frameworks.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on crop wild relative conservation across the Nordic region, climate change adaptation strategies for threatened plant species, and the development of comprehensive conservation policies. His research demonstrates a clear progression from basic ecological studies toward applied conservation strategies with direct policy relevance, particularly evident in his leadership of major Nordic conservation initiatives.

• Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral theses
• Supervisor of Master's and Licentiate students
• Multiple ongoing projects funded by Wihurin säätiö, Koneen Säätiö, and Nikolai ja Ljudmila Borisoffin Puutarhasäätiö
• International collaboration through Nordic Crop Wild Relative Conservation project

As Director of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, Dr. Hyvärinen oversees extensive botanical and mycological collections that serve as critical infrastructure for biodiversity research. He has played a key role in organizing major scientific events, including the International Lichenological Symposium, and has been actively engaged in public outreach through numerous media appearances discussing climate change impacts on plant species.