First-year PhD student Si Chen (University of Tartu) visited the University of Helsinki to learn bioinformatics to analyze large datasets from sequencing results of plant material collected at the Malaysian and Peruvian sites. She also visited farmland and SMEAR-Agri station and conducted farmland soil sampling.

Figure: Si (on the left) learning bioinformatics with post-doctoral researcher Ramita Khanongnuch (UT/LUKE) (on the right). (Photo credit: Si Chen)

First-year PhD student Si Chen (University of Tartu) visited the University of Helsinki to learn bioinformatics to analyze large datasets from sequencing results of plant material collected at the Malaysian and Peruvian sites of the LiWeFoR project, and to visualize the data using R. Additionally, Si visited farmland and SMEAR-Agri (Earth Surface-Atmosphere Relationship Measurement Station) and conducted farmland soil sampling. It was her first time conducting professional farmland sampling, and these experiences gave her a deeper understanding of soil sampling and research, which will greatly benefit her future studies and practical work.

The PhD student Teo Kien Yung (University of Tartu) visited KIT to advance understanding of nitrogen cycling in tropical peat soils using fresh Malaysian peat samples. The work focused on comparing analytical methods through soil core ring incubation, MIMS techniques, and 15N isotope labeling. The visit also included methodological exchanges between TROPI and KIT.

Figure: Teo working at KIT. Credit: E. Wangari

The PhD student Teo Kien Yung (University of Tartu) visited KIT to advance understanding of nitrogen cycling in tropical peat soils using fresh Malaysian peat samples collected in July 2025. The work focused on comparing analytical methods through soil core ring incubation, gross nitrification and ammonification measurements, pH and gravimetric analysis, and membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS). Under the guidance of researchers at KIT, Teo gained hands-on experience in 15N isotope labeling, colorimetric analysis, and MIMS techniques, which offer efficient alternatives to conventional IRMS. The visit also included methodological exchanges between TROPI and KIT, discussions on helium-incubation systems for N2 and N2O flux quantification, and participation in seminars to broaden expertise and networking. Most laboratory work was successfully completed, with data analysis and microbial studies continuing at the University of Tartu. In addition to Teo, Assoc Prof. Mikk Espenberg and Dr. Mohit Masta visited KIT, showcasing a strong collaboration between the teams of UT and KIT.

The 12th INTECOL Wetlands Conference took place in Tartu, Estonia, bringing together around 300 participants. Researchers from the University of Tartu and collaborators delivered numerous presentations on topics such as greenhouse gas fluxes, microbial processes, and peatland restoration. The event served as a key platform for sharing cutting-edge research.

Photo: Intecol conference group photo

The 12th INTECOL Wetlands Conference took place in Tartu, Estonia, from 28 June to 4 July 2025, bringing together around 300 participants from across the globe https://intecolwetlands2025.ee Researchers from the University of Tartu and collaborators delivered numerous oral and poster presentations on topics such as greenhouse gas fluxes, microbial processes, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and peatland restoration. The event served as a key platform for sharing cutting-edge research and fostering international collaboration in wetland science.

The EGU General Assembly 2025 gathered around 25,000 participants. Researchers from the University of Tartu and collaborators presented cutting-edge studies on greenhouse gas fluxes, carbon cycling, and microbial processes in peatlands across Europe, the Amazon, and the Congo Republic.

LiWeFor NewsAndEvents

Photo: PhD student Fahad (UT) with his poster at EGU25

The EGU General Assembly 2025, held in Vienna and online from 27 April to 2 May, gathered around 25,000 participants worldwide (https://www.egu25.eu/). Researchers from the University of Tartu and collaborators presented cutting-edge studies on greenhouse gas fluxes, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and microbial processes in peatlands and wetlands across Europe, the Amazon, and the Congo Republic. Contributions included oral and poster presentations on topics such as CO2, CH4, and N2O balances in restored peatlands, global patterns of organic matter chemistry, N2O emissions in tropical peat forests, and advanced metagenomics approaches for nitrogen and methane cycling.

In April 2025, the LiWeFoR project organized an eddy covariance training in Sarawak, led by the University of Helsinki team. Over three intensive days, 11 participants from TROPI gained hands-on experience in flux data processing using the EddyUH software, alongside lectures on measurement principles and data analysis. The program also included a field visit to the Sibu Station eddy covariance site.

Figure: Eddy covariance training seminar in Sarawak organized by UH LiWeFoR ream.

In April 2025, the LiWeFoR project organized an eddy covariance training in Sarawak, Malaysia, led by the University of Helsinki team. Over three intensive days (9–11 April), 11 participants from TROPI gained hands-on experience in flux data processing using the EddyUH software, alongside lectures on measurement principles, instrumentation, and data analysis. The program also included a field visit to the Sibu Station eddy covariance site, strengthening local expertise and supporting long-term ecosystem research in tropical peatlands.

The LiWeFoR team held its second field campaign and seminar in Sarawak, Malaysia, bringing together around 60 participants at TROPI for a week of knowledge exchange. The event featured 12 multidisciplinary presentations. A major milestone was the successful maintenance of an eddy covariance system, securing continuous CO2, CH4, and N2O flux measurements for the project’s final year.

Figure: Dr Lulie Melling presenting at 2nd LiWeFoR-TROPI seminar

The LiWeFoR team held its second field campaign and seminar in Sarawak, Malaysia (11–15 February 2025), bringing together around 60 participants at TROPI for a week of knowledge exchange and hands-on training. The event featured 12 multidisciplinary presentations on peatland biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas dynamics, and land-use change, with contributions from TROPI, the University of Tartu, University of Helsinki, and KIT. A technical workshop strengthened local capacity for ecosystem GHG monitoring, while joint fieldwork at the Betong oil palm site ensured cross-site data comparability. A major milestone was the successful maintenance of an eddy covariance system, securing continuous CO2, CH4, and N2O flux measurements for the project’s final year.

AGU2024 Annual Meeting was held in Washington D.C. with about 30,000 participants. Lulie Melling, Ülo Mander and Mikk Espenberg acted as session conveners for a session on “Linking Greenhouse Gas, Volatile Organic Compound, and Climatic Processes Across Interfaces in Different Terrestrial Ecosystems”. Additionally, several oral and poster presentations were delivered by the LiWeFoR team members.

Photo: Gemma, Lulie, Mikk and Ülo at AGU2024

AGU2024 Annual Meeting was held in Washington D.C., USA from 9.–13.12.2024 with about 30.000 participants. https://www.agu.org/annual-mee4ng Lulie Melling, Ülo Mander and Mikk Espenberg acted as session conveners for the session “Linking Greenhouse Gas, Volatile Organic Compound, and Climatic Processes Across Interfaces in Different Terrestrial Ecosystems, Highlighting Tropical Wetlands”. Additionally, several oral and poster presentations were delivered by the LiWeFoR team members.

The 2nd International Conference on Tropical Sciences was held in Sarawak. Prof. Ülo Mander delivered a plenary talk about greenhouse gas emissions in tropical peatland forests. Associate Prof. Mikk Espenberg and Associate Prof. Kaido Soosaar gave talks on the microbial nitrogen cycle and the impact of land-use change.

Photo: Conference banner

From 16 – 17 October 2024, the 2nd International Conference on Tropical Sciences was held in Sarawak, Malaysia, with approximately 500 participants https://tropicalsciencefoundation.org/tropsc2024 . Prof. Ülo Mander delivered a plenary talk about greenhouse gas emissions in tropical peatland forests. Associate Prof. Mikk Espenberg and Associate Prof. Kaido Soosaar gave talks on the microbial nitrogen cycle in tropical peatland forests and the impact of land-use change on soil greenhouse gas fluxes in the Peruvian Amazon, respectively.

Over 100 participants attended the Living Labs for Wetland Research (LiWeFoR) seminar 2024 at Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute. The one-day event aimed to establish and develop a global network of Living Labs. The seminar featured 15 oral presentations and poster sessions on topics ranging from GHG emissions in tropical peatland forests to research from boreal regions.

Photo: PhD student Kamil (UT) preparing gas chamber measurement

Over 100 participants attended the Living Labs for Wetland Research (LiWeFoR) seminar 2024 at Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute. The one-day event aimed to establish and develop a global network of Living Labs of wetland forest research, education and management.

The seminar featured 15 oral presentations and several poster sessions delivered by researchers and PhD students from the participating organisations.

Topics ranged from greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation strategies in tropical peatland forests, with case studies from Borneo, the Peruvian Amazon, the Congo Basin, Uganda, and La Réunion, to research from boreal regions, such as the Baltic states, Scandinavia, and Finland.

External media links:

https://dayakdaily.com/living-labs-for-wetland-research-seminar-to-address-need-to-raise- researchers-decision-makers-expertise-enhance-career-awareness/

https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/10/15/over-100-participate-in-liwefor-seminar-2024-in- kota-samarahan/

The LiWeFoR Wetland Forest Research Summer School brought together partners from UT, UH, and KIT, as well as collaborators from IIAP/UNAP, TROPI, and guest scholars. During the event, skills, knowledge, and stories were shared on carbon and nutrient fluxes in swamp and bog forests worldwide through lectures and presentations. The event finished with an excursion to several field stations in southern Estonia.

The LiWeFoR Wetland Forest Research Summer School brought together the three LiWeFoR partners, University of Tartu (UT), University of Helsinki (UH), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), as well as mutual collaborators from Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon (IIAP)/National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP), Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI), and guest scholars from University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and University of East Anglia (UEA), UK, studying wetland forests and GHGs. During the event, skills, knowledge, and stories were shared on carbon and nutrient fluxes in swamp and bog forests worldwide through lectures and presentations from all participating organizations.

The UT team invited the Estonian Doctoral School to serve as an event partner, broadening the audience of PhD students from other Estonian universities and sharing the experience of the LiWeFoR team. Therefore, PhD students from the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) were represented.

The Summer School was held in scenic Pühajärve, South Estonia (Pühajärve Hotel and Conference Centre, https://www.pyhajarve.com/en/conference-centre ) during 25–29 June 2024 (incl. arrival and departure dates). Summer school finished with an excursion to several field stations in southern Estonia, where various experimental approaches and methods were demonstrated.