Field sites

Our main research areas are the 24 sites of FutureScapes, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Land Use, which include wetlands (Lavassaare, Tellissaare, Laiuse, Selgise/Alajõe), grasslands (Saastna nina, Penijõe, Laelatu, Uusküla, Pikknurme, Mälgi), forests (Rumba, Nõmmküla, Kanaküla, Koljaku, Välgi, Selgise), and agricultural land (Haljala, Sadala, Kämara, Vana-Kuuste, Andre Farm). In addition, we also have research sites in Lavassaare, Rumba and Ess-soo.

Lavassaare extracted peat fields

There are vast extracted peatlands in western part of Estonia. Most of them are near Lavassaare settlement (807 ha). They are currently drained and have almost no vegetation cover and represent a huge carbon emitter. This site has great potential for integrated wetland restoration and green energy development (wind and/or solar). Nearby, currently active peat extraction sites (>5000 ha) offer clear upscaling potential for the future. Lavassaare areas have been selected for restoration. Rewetting will restore long-term carbon sinks and will prevent further oxidative emissions. Our workgroup aim is to measure greenhouse gases in two sample areas. Eddy covariance measurements will start in one of those areas (N 58.562, E 24.370) with no vegetation in summer 2022, equipped with LI-7700 Open Path CH₄ Analyzer and LI-7500DS Open Path CO₂/H₂O Analyzer. Second area have vegetation coverage and measurements are planned to start in end of 2022. Results will hopefully show that after restoration, peatland starts to accumulate carbon again.

Rumba drainage ditch reconstruction works site

State Forest Management Centre is planning to build sediment basins and small fens in managed forest site located in Rumba village, Pärnu county (N 58.718135, E 24.127875). We are collecting water samples from ditches before entering sediment basin/fen to analyze water chemistry parameters.

Ess-soo bog

Ess-soo bog in southwest Estonia is largely protected (212 ha) with peat depths of 4–6 m, while its eastern section (50 ha), drained for peat extraction and abandoned in 1994, remains unprotected with 2–4 m of peat. The former extraction area has sparse vegetation dominated by characteristic bog species, and the site illustrates active civic efforts to halt further drainage and promote restoration. The main focus of our work is on monitoring greenhouse gases and energy balance in restored areas, with CO₂ and CH₄ measured using the eddy covariance method and CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O measured using the closed chamber method.