Per Lennart Ambus

Per Lennart Ambus serves as a Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen. His expertise lies in biogeochemical cycles, particularly the transport pathways of carbon and nitrogen in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, with a current focus on Arctic environments. Ambus leads research on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and soil nitrogen cycling in response to climate and management.

Ambus's research centers on understanding greenhouse gas dynamics (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄) in terrestrial ecosystems. He combines laboratory-scale experiments with large field studies, especially in the Arctic. His work addresses how climate change and human activities alter biogeochemical processes. Key areas include permafrost thaw, fire impacts on tundra, and hydrological controls on nitrous oxide emissions. He utilizes stable isotope techniques to trace gas sources and sinks.

Recent publications (2025) demonstrate Ambus's focus on methane and nitrous oxide fluxes in diverse settings: Arctic tundra, Danish farmland, and alpine grasslands. His studies identify emission hotspots, drought effects, and soil moisture thresholds. The work integrates year-round measurements, isotopic mapping, and molecular-scale analyses to understand controls on greenhouse gas production and consumption.

Ambus manages the stable isotope facility at the Center for Permafrost (Cenperm), enabling advanced biogeochemical research on permafrost-affected ecosystems.