The ten centers of excellence on research funded at the end of last year combine several research workgroups dealing with similar research topics. Researchers from the Landscape Biodiversity Workgroup are involved in two centers of excellence in research, developing international excellence and innovative ideas.
The Centre of Excellence of Sustainable Land Use, led by Evelyn Uuemaa, Professor of Geoinformatics, the aim is to ensure biodiversity and the balance of the carbon cycle. "The centre of excellence focuses on novel land use planning to preserve biodiversity and ensure carbon balance," said Aveliina Helm, head of the Landscapes Biodiversity Workgroup and Professor of Restoration Ecology. Field data, satellite data and machine learning are used for identifying and modelling the relationships between the carbon cycle and biodiversity. The socioeconomic analysis is used to assess the attitudes of landowners and land users and the feasibility of the new land-use approaches.
Tsipe Aavik, head of the Landscapes Biodiversity Workgroup and Associate Professor of Macroecology, contributes to the centre of excellence in research " Agroecology and new crops in future climates" led by Ülo Niinemets (the Estonian University of Life Sciences).
The centers of excellence in research aim is to promote Estonian science, increase the international competitiveness of Estonian science and ensure the growth of top specialists. Centres of excellence focus on solving research issues based on Estonia's needs with high risk and high potential for benefits. Ten different devolved research institutions and more than 80 research teams are involved in the new centres of excellence. The Ministry of Education and Research supports each center of excellence with 7 million euros.
New centres of excellence funded in 2023 can be found on the website of ETAG and the university (in Estonian).
More information:
Aveliina Helm
Tsipe Aavik
