CP 8 University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Sciences  (UH For) Finland
 
Introduction
The University of Helsinki carries out research of an internationally high standard. Research funding, honours and prizes awarded to their researchers are an indication of the widespread esteem among the global scientific community. The Department of Forest Sciences, one of the four departments at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, is located on the Viikki Campus. The aim of the department’s multidisciplinary activities is to promote the ecologically, economically and socially sustainable use of forests and peatlands. Disciplines of the department are Forest Economics and Marketing, Forest Ecology and Management, and Biotechnology. The research projects investigate in particular the effects of climate change, the structural change of the forest industry, and the general technological development of the forest area on the domestic front as well as abroad.

Contribution to the RID (research and innovation development) objectives 
UH For will support SFI on fine root turnover measurement and modelling of C dynamics in managed forests. The cooperation between UH For and SFI started through common COST actions, such as on dynamics of physiological processes in roots of woody plants (E38), and on modelling of water in forest ecosystems (FORMAN). The main tasks attributed to UH For within EUROFINNO will be in fine root turnover measurements and interpretation, including statistical analysis and publishing, and in modelling stress and disturbance regimes, including forest management strategies, in forest stands and forest ecosystems.

Short profile of staff members
Prof. Dr. Heljä-Sisko Helmisaari has been Professor of Forest Soil Science since 2010, Her research projects concentrate especially on the role of fine roots in carbon cycling as well as on the sustainability of forest bioenergy harvesting.
Prof. Dr. Annikki Mäkelä is Professor of Silviculture, with long experience in development of process-based growth modelling and its management applications, and dynamic modelling in plant ecology.
Dr. Michael (Mike) Robert Starr    has been University Lecturer in Forest Soil Science since 2004 and is Chairman of the Master's Degree Programme in Forest Sciences and Business (MScFB). His research concentrates on forest biogeochemistry and hydrology.