Rúna Magnússon

Rúna Magnússon is a plant ecologist at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in Arctic and boreal ecosystems. Her research focuses on permafrost dynamics, vegetation-climate interactions, and the impacts of extreme weather events on tundra environments.

• PhD in Shrub decline and wetland expansion in Siberian tundra (2017–2022)
• Active collaborations across Arctic research networks (Svalbard, Siberia)

Research Themes

• Permafrost Thaw: Investigating biotic insulation mechanisms and rainfall-driven thermal shifts
• Vegetation Dynamics: Analyzing greening/browning patterns via remote sensing and field studies
• Hydrological Impacts: Studying water-vegetation-soil interactions in Arctic ecosystems

Recent Publication Trends

• 2025: Water security in post-wildfire peatlands
• 2024: NDVI-based Arctic greening analysis and rainfall-permafrost relationships
• 2023: Dwarf shrub climate responses and T-REX Svalbard project datasets

Scientific Engagement

• Delivered 5+ lectures/webinars on Arctic cryoscience communication (2024)
• Participated in NWO Earth Sciences strategic meetings (2024)