Ecosystems and Biomass Science

 

In the Division of Ecosystems and Biomass Science we mainly work with forest and ecology as well as biomass and bioenergy.

 

The main research approach is natural science, but with a strong linkage to applied research within the entire chain from ecosystem via management to products.

 

Education

Our teaching is central to a number of educations at University of Copenhagen and the Faculty of Science, as we provide courses in elements cycling, forest and nature ecosystems, management and restoration, woody plant biology and wood science, plants for bioenergy as well as contribute to a long range of courses.

 

The teaching contributes especially to BSc and MSc levels, but a number of summer schools and specific courses addresses PhD students.

 

Research

Research develops dynamically and constantly. We concentrate on areas in the research community, where we can make a difference, contribute to creating new knowledge and extend the research. The main part of the divisions research lie within the following fields:

Biogeochemistry dealing with issues revolving around soil, nutrients and water, for fundamental and applied analysis of a key component of ecosystems - the soil and nutrient cycles.

 

The fields of Terrestial system ecology research look into organisms and their interactions, ecosystem processes and modelling of these systems.

 

The field of Woody plant biology combines all aspects of woody plant life, such as properties and requirements of woody plants, ranging from growth patterns and growth reactions to phenology and internal rhythm - particularly in relation to changing climate.

Ecology and management includes a range of subjects where silviculture and ecological restoration of forests and other semi-natural ecosystems are core areas, with structure and function, biomass production and site interaction being central themes. The interplay with climate change and land use are important elements.

 

Biomass science research is focused on both fundamental and applied aspects of biomass and bioenergy. This includes molecular level interactions between cellulose and enzymes, interactions between water and plant cell walls, large scale processing of wheat straw to 2nd generation bioethanol, the use of enzymes for processing of waste to energy and impact of large scale biomass processing on land use and agricultural production. Our aim is to contribute to the development of biomass knowledge and technology providing the highest level of sustainability in terms of optimised use of our land- and biomass resources providing the lowest possible environmental impact.

 

Within Inventory and Monitoring research in theory and methods for efficient sampling and data acquisition in natural resources, including aspects of quality, costs effectiveness, information infrastructure, and how to transform, manage, and analyse data which can be combined from several data collection sources.

 

 

Infrastructure - Laboratories and long term field experiments

The division holds a high level laboratory with a range of high end instruments as well as core analytical instruments. The division manages and measures a series of long term field experiments - ranging from unmanaged forest and heath land observation to highly manipulated experimental sites. These infrastructures are corner stones in our research along with the highly skilled staff that measures and maintain them.

 

Consultancy

We often do consultancy jobs within the range of issues where our competencies lie. This involves everything from analytical works to development jobs and reports.

The clients are especially public authorities and institutions, specifically Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Climate and Energy but also private companies and industry.

 

Collaboration

We collaborate with a long list of researchers, institutions, businesses and authorities, nationally and internationally on education as well as research, development and consultancy.