The spatial scale of ecological patterns and processes have been increasingly recognised as an important component in understanding the structure and function of ecological systems. Furthermore, comparative studies conducted in various parts of the world provide knowledge about the generality of the spatial patterns, and make it possible to determine common denominators (global and regional effects) as opposed to specific differences (local effects). This understanding of the scale of ecological patterns and processes has direct links to the conservation and sustainable use of wild populations.
Professor Niemelä leads two major research projects: (1) Biodiversity
in forest regeneration, and (2) Urban ecology (ECOPLAN),
and
an international research network Global network for monitoring
landscape
change (GLOBENET).
The overall goal of the multi-disciplinary research project Biodiversity in forest regeneration is to produce understanding through the same experimental design on the ecological and economic effects of various ‘new’ forest regeneration options. Especially interesting are the mutual trade-offs in these effects, i.e. their sensitivity to the treatments. This knowledge is valuable for decision makers when forestry operations are being planned. Furthermore, the purpose is to serve the development work of such silvicultural systems that fulfil the increasing degree of requirements (e.g. ecological) set to forestry.
In the project, researchers from different branches of biology and forestry research are brought together. The scientists involved represent three universities (Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Joensuu), Finnish Forest Research Institute, Metsäteho Ltd (Forestry R&D organisation of the Finnish forest industry), and the Finnish Environmental Agency.
The study questions in the ecological part of the project are the
following:
(a) what are the effects of different forest regeneration options on
the
fauna and flora?, (b) what direction will the faunal and floral change
take
following logging and silvicultural operations?, and (c) are some
silvicultural
methods better than others in maintaining the local biodiversity? The
taxonomic
groups studies are insects (mainly beetles and ants), spiders,
molluscs,
soil decomposers, soil microbes, small mammals, undergrowth vegetation,
restocking material and growing stock. With his team prof. Niemelä
is responsible for litter dwelling arthropods (carabid beetles, ants,
spiders)
and molluscs.
About 80% of the Finnish population lives in urban environments in which nature is strongly affected by human actions. In spite of this human pressure, a great degree of variation is typical for urban environments. This diversity ranges from semi-natural biotopes in the outskirts of urban areas to strongly modified urban habitats in city centers. For instance, in the natural end of this gradient are about 400 000 ha of urban forests in Finland, and these are important recreational areas for inhabitants. On the other hand, this recreational use is a disturbance that causes changes in species diversity. Thus, consideration of biodiversity when planning land use in urban areas is important both for the well-being of the inhabitants and for the maintenance of biodiversity itself.
The goal of the multi-disciplinary ECOPLAN research project is to strenghten the field of urban ecology in Finland. Furthermore, the aim is to develop methods by which ecological knowledge can be better incorporated into land use planning and maintenance of greenways in urban areas. Presently, ecological knowledge is not well integrated into land use planning in Finland because of lack of relevant ecological information, and due to difficulties in utilisation of the existing information for planning purposes.
More specifically the applied aims are to (1) ensure the continued
functioning
and diversity of urban nature, (2) increase the recreational potential
of
greenways, and (3) promote nature protection and sustainable use of
natural
resources. To achieve these goals a GIS-based environmental data base
will
be developed during the ECOPLAN-project which will improve the
integration
of ecological knowledge into the planning process. In addition,
scientists
able to collaborate with the planning officies of municipalities will
be
trained during the ECOPLAN-project. The project will be conducted in
close
collaboration between the Universities of Helsinki and Joensuu, and the
Finnish Forest Research Institute (FFRI).
Landscape change through human impact across the world is a massive unplanned experiment creating a patchwork of modified land types. These land mosaics have similar patterns throughout the world, yet we have little information on whether they also impact on biodiversity in similar ways. What is needed now is a truly global programme that monitors these human-impacted landscapes so that global patterns and effects can be deciphered from local effects. Such an international monitoring programme would provide valuable research-based knowledge for land managers in different parts of the world.
The aim is to monitor landscape using the same methodology and the
same
taxonomic group (carabid beetles) and visually-similar land-mosaics in
different
parts of the world. The network will be initiated in Helsinki in April
1998.
Prof. Niemelä is the head of the Division of Population Biology
and starting in August 1998 the head of the Department of Ecology and
Systematics.
His research group currently consists of one post doctoral fellow, five
PhD-students and three Master’s students.
Prof. Niemelä collaborates with the following researchers: