THE POOL PROJECT

WHAT ARE SEASONAL WETLANDS?

Seasonal wetlands (also known as ‘temporary wetlands‘ or ‘vernal pools‘) are peculiar ecosystems that form in low areas and whose water level changes dramatically through the seasons.
In Finnish boreal forests, seasonal wetlands are typically found in open areas. They form in spring, when the water from rain and melting snow fills a depression in the ground. Then, seasonal wetlands usually dry up completely in the summer, but the water level can rise again with autumn rains before the return of winter.
The cyclical variability of these ecosystems makes them an ideal habitat for a wide array of species, including sedges, newts, insects, ducks and moose.

OUR PROJECT

POOL gathers the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, artists and stakeholders to provide in depth knowledge and raise awareness on deficiently known seasonal wetlands in boreal forest ecosystems. POOL will bring missing knowledge about the role of seasonal wetlands for biodiversity and functioning of boreal forest ecosystems. Then, POOL will propose solutions to raise efficiency of natural management of forestry companies and wetland conservation. 

The POOL project is funded by the KONE foundation from 2022 to 2025.

The POOL photographic project is supported by the Fondation AgroParisTech for 2024.