People

My research is interdisciplinary and problem-driven. This means that as I am interested in trying to find solutions for nature conservation, the main questions of my research are often inspired by practical problems and gaps in knowledge. To find optimal solutions one usually needs a holistic approach to understand the ecosystem. Furthermore, in order to apply research results in conservation, different fields of science are often needed to understand the human society, i.e. it’s values, decision making, juridical barriers etc. For collaborations, research inquiries, and dissertations, please feel free to contact me by sending an email.

My research interests include the responses of invertebrate and plant communities to urbanisation. To this end, I concentrate on the effects of various urban features, such as habitat edges, trampling intensity, and greenspace fragmentation in general, on communities in remnant urban forests, grasslands, meadow and verge habitats, and vegetated/green roofs. Additionally, during the past years I have become interested in using urban soils as in situ laboratories to investigate decomposition and soil quality, and soil biodiversity. 

Plant symbiotic microbes 

Green roof research has been gaining its popularity and importance in academia more and more. However, if plants could not survive on vegetated roofs, none of the researches could be conducted at all. So my researches focus on growth and survival of vegetated roof plants since my Master’s thesis, specifically applying plant-growth-promoting-microbes in the soil to achieve or partially achieve the goal. I focused on two commonly used beneficial microbes: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (bacterium) and Rhizophagus irregularis (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, formerly known as Glomus intraradices) on vascular plants (berry plants, ornamental plants, and grass). I have been working both in greenhouse and vegetated roof conditions for different experimental layouts. Contact me via email.

I am a doctoral researcher in the DENVI program. My research focuses on the accessibility and connectivity of urban green spaces. In the first part of my study, I analyze people's overall experience when using green spaces, emphasizing the environmental quality along their journey to and from green spaces. In the second part, I integrate human mobility perspectives with species dispersal and biodiversity to develop nature-based solutions that provide win-win solutions. I have a multidisciplinary background in forestry, ecology, and geography. I believe the collaborative integration of multidisciplinary knowledge is always the right approach to solving scientific questions. 

I’m a doctoral researcher in the DENVI program. I aim to gain better knowledge of multispecies functional connectivity by gathering species’ dispersal data through literature and expert workshops to model urban green space connectivity. In the first part of my studies, I have focused on modelling connectivity of three distinctly different urban forest habitat species: European crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus), Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) and common lizard (Zootoca vivipara). In the second part I will add open habitat species and study connectivity in different scenarios, e.g., with new city infrastructure plans. In the final stage I’m planning to integrate my studies with data from studies on connectivity from human perspective to obtain a holistic view on urban green space connectivity.

Policy instruments (MSc)

Taina is an environmental biologist, landscape designer, and horticulturist, recognized as a pioneer in Finland in green roofs and vegetated urban spaces. She integrates ecological solutions into urban development to tackle climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss. With degrees in Environmental Biology and Environmental Change and Policy from the University of Helsinki, she is pursuing a Master of Science in Engineering. As Chairperson of Vantaa’s Green Roof Strategy, Taina develops policies and guidelines to promote vegetated roofs. She co-designed Vihreistä Vihrein, an award-winning Helsinki project featuring vegetated roofs, walls, and shared gardens that enhance biodiversity and sustainability. Taina also lectures widely and co-hosted YLE’s Kädet Multaan. Currently, she is developing Kurkimoisio, a green housing project in Vuosaari, with five vegetated roof gardens, set to start construction in January 2025.