There is a need to optimize forest management in order to contribute to climate change mitigation by enhanced ecosystem carbon storage. Rotation forestry is the most common silvicultural practice in Sweden, but there is an intense debate about its ability to contribute to long-term sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere.
The SITES 2023 Calendar theme is “Data in Focus”. The openly available data produced within SITES and stored on the SITES Data Portal is the “golden thread” of the infrastructure, allowing users access to ecosystem data that covers diverse habitats and climate zones across geographical gradients in Sweden. Each month follow along as we highlight a unique SITES dataset.
On January 1 the SITES community not only welcomed in the New Year, but also a new, six-year funding period (2023-2028). By the time we gather for the SITES III Kick-off meeting Feb 8‑10 at Asa Station, the incoming SITES Director, Kevin Bishop, will have visited all SITES stations and the Thematic Programs. He is looking forward to kicking-off SITES III this year:
The current (second) phase of SITES is soon coming to an end. As we turn the page and face the next chapter for the SITES infrastructure, there are some imminent changes taking place. For a start, my appointment as SITES Director, which began 5 years ago with the launch of SITES-II, is soon ending and a new Director with lots of energy, new ideas and visions will take over. My sincere welcome and best wishes to Kevin Bishop who will guide and steer SITES in the years to come!
Despite the December darkness, snow conditions, and at times bitterly cold weather (as much as - 28°C a few days ago), outdoor activities in the forest of Svartberget Research Station are ongoing.
High use of external inputs, especially agrochemicals, has considerably increased food production since the Green Revolution. This has, however, also led to a decline in biodiversity and contributed to a change in climate, soil, air and water quality. Hence, there is a need to develop cropping systems that are multi-functional, i.e. not only increase food production, but also improves the environment and economy.
Ornithology has a long tradition in biological research, and there are numerous data sets on various subtopics available both via scientific publications and conservation organizations. The phenology of migrating species (e.g. arrival dates to breeding grounds) has drawn attention in the last few decades, as it describes and helps understand effects of increasing temperatures on bird migration.
SITES Röbäcksdalen Field Research Station has recently welcomed researcher Julianne Oliveira! Welcome to the SITES Community, Julianne!
Asa High-yield Experimental Forest was established in 2009 and covers an area of 1700 hectares, situated in close proximity to Asa Research Station. Spruce and pine dominates the forest and represent 95% of the total area. The aim of the high-yield experiment is to increase the growth of wood by 50 %, and at the same time avoid creating any negative effects on water chemistry, vegetation, recreational values, etc. Every second year stands within the experimental area are fertilized.
Lund University has recently installed two new spectral masts overlooking crop fields in Alnarp, near the SITES Lönnstorp Research Station. Each mast holds two down-looking spectral sensors, one on each side of the mast, overlooking one field each. There are also temperature and soil moisture sensors to follow the weather and climate at the locations continuously through time. The installations are part of a research project sponsored by the Swedish National Space Agency that aims to develop and quantify crop growth and yield based on satellite remote sensing.