Studies on soil ecology focuses on how forestry and microplastics from agriculture affect soil organisms, decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling. Results of these studies can help us e.g. to guide harvesting of bioenergy so that forest soil biodiversity and soil fertility are not diminishing.
We are interested in how coniferous forest soil and its biota respond to forest regeneration practices and stump harvesting. Soil decomposer organisms (soil animals and microbes) have an important role in the functioning of forest ecosystems. Decomposers affect soil structure and finally release nutrients from decomposing organic matter to the soil as minerals that are available for plants. Decomposer community in forest soil is very diverse, consisting of many different taxa of bacteria, fungi, protists, nematodes, microarthropods, enchytraeids, macroarthropods and earthworms. Decomposers of boreal forest soils are well buffered against environmental changes caused by forest harvesting and subsequent regeneration. However, the effects of e.g. logging residue and stump harvesting on forest soil decomposer community, forest nutrient dynamics and vegetation are still poorly known.
Our research aims at determining whether forestry practices affect soil decomposers and vegetation at the site scale. We examine e.g. how the decomposer animal community differs between stump-harvested and traditionally-treated (clear felling followed by site preparation) areas. Our other questions are: Do succession of vegetation and growth of tree seedlings differ between the treatments? Are there short-term differences in decomposition activity and nutrient mobilization between the stump-harvested and traditionally-regenerated areas?
We are also studying in cooperation with the Finnish Environment Institute the occurrence of microplastics in agricultural soils, and how micro and nano-plastics affect soil organisms and ecosystem services. Both laboratory and field experiments are carried out with special focus on earthworms. The final aim is to deliver information for farmers, industries, regulators and policy makers to enhance the safety and sustainability in the use of agricultural plastics.
