What is happening to Finland's forests under climate change? Satellite observations point to large-scale greening as we cross the Arctic circle. These decadal timescale structural changes have been detected from space using proxies of greenness such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Further south, warm and dry summers coupled with changing winter snow conditions are starting to cause concern. Shorter timescale stress-related changes in forests are detectable by emerging satellite techniques such as chlorophyll fluorescence. However, and regardless of the method, satellite data only shows half the picture. To really understand the mechanisms of forest change, satellite data needs to be supplemented by detailed field measurements and models. In this project I will use state of the art drone data, long term measurements and advanced 3D modelling to unravel the mechanisms behind the satellite observations of change.

2022

2027