Katarina Hedlund is a Professor at Lund University's Department of Biology and serves as Director and Manager of the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC). She is also a Professor within BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate), a Soil Ecology Profile area member of the LU Profile Area: Nature-based future solutions, and a Professor in Biodiversity and Evolution. Her extensive academic profile demonstrates leadership in multiple interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on environmental sustainability. Dr. Hedlund's research interests span the complex relationships between soil ecology, ecosystem services, and sustainable land management. Her work encompasses molecular studies of functional genes and microorganism interactions, above- and below-ground ecological relationships, and large-scale assessments of soil biodiversity. She investigates how knowledge and values of nature-based solutions can accelerate the transformation toward more sustainable development, with particular focus on soil resources, agricultural biodiversity, and urban ecosystem services. Her research directly contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to environmental protection and sustainable resource management. Analysis of her 116 research outputs reveals consistent themes in soil ecology, biodiversity-ecosystem service relationships, and nature-based solutions for climate challenges. Her recent publications demonstrate increasing integration of economic and environmental assessment methods, with growing emphasis on urban applications and policy implementation. The research shows strong European collaboration patterns, particularly in agricultural and urban soil studies across diverse landscapes. Her scientific recognition includes: Excellent Teaching Practice award (2007) The Swedish King's 50th anniversary foundation award (2001) Dr. Hedlund has secured substantial research funding through 19 projects, including multiple Horizon Europe initiatives running through 2027. She has supervised numerous students (10 supervised works documented) and actively contributes to academic discourse through 33 recorded activities including workshops, seminars, and media engagements. Her current major projects include UGPplus (Enhancing urban green planning), NATURESCAPES (Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilient Communities), and SOLO (Soils for Europe), reflecting her leadership in translating soil science into practical sustainability solutions. She leads research teams within the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science and collaborates extensively through the LU Land network, which brings together over 60 researchers from diverse disciplines to address complex land use challenges. Her work bridges fundamental soil science with practical applications for policymakers and land managers across Europe.
