The 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.
Scientific activities
(To be done Celine/Petri) TROPHIC WEB
Paragraphe
Quote
(Edit title – Aurelie) WATER LEVEL AND QUALITY
As their name suggests, temporary wetlands in the European boreal forests usually dry up during the summer—though some only do so in particularly dry years. They are usually not connected to any permanent water source and rely primarily on snowmelt and rainfall. Physically, these pools are confined to small depressions in the forest floor. They are very small waterbodies, with an average surface area of 0.1 hectares, though some can reach up to 2 hectares. In the POOL project, the measurements of water depths will be integrated in satellite remote sensing analyses to delineate the flooded areas and monitor the hydroperiods of these wetland. Water quality parameters are also measured to estimate the role of these wetlands as nature based solutions in European boreal forests and to understand the impact of their changes throughout the season on their biodiversity.
(Picture and text : Aurélie Davranche)
(Edit title – Aurelie/Henrik) VEGETATION MONITORING
The vegetation that develops in temporary wetlands in the European boreal forests varies depending on the type of forest stand and the hydroperiod of the wetland. Typically, these wetlands are colonized by herbaceous plants (such as sedges and grasses), ferns, mosses, and sphagnum. On the edges, shrubs are often found. In Finland, blue berries can be found on their edges and birch trees. The vegetation can be linked to the animal biodiversity. The vegetation was inventored during the dry phase of the wetlands and will compared to the water depths, the hydroperiods, the invertebrate communities collected during the POOL project. It will help understand the ecological functions of these wetlands as part of the boreal forest ecosystems.
(Picture and text : Aurélie Davranche)
(Edit title – Aurelie) GREEN HOUSE GASES MONITORING
Boreal wetlands, despite covering only 5–8% of the global land area, contribute to 20–30% of the global soil carbon stock and over 20% of total methane (CH₄) emissions. This underscores their dual role as both carbon sinks and sources of potent GHGs. Climate-induced changes, such as warming and drying, have been observed to increase carbon dioxide (CO₂) losses from boreal wetlands, potentially transforming them from carbon sinks to sources. Human activities, such as forestry drainage, can alter GHG fluxes in boreal wetlands. The emissions of GHGs from boreal temporary wetlands are expected to exhibit a substantial spatial heterogeneity, influenced by factors such as water table depths, the soil temperature, and vegetation types. Understanding these variations is crucial for an accurate modeling and management of GHG emissions in these ecosystems. However, research on GHG in boreal wetlands are usually conducted during the growing season in summer, when plants are active. In the POOL project, GHG emissions (CH4 and CO2) were measured from spring to fall to understand the role of temporary wetlands in European boreal forests on the carbon cycle.
(Text : Aurélie Davranche)
(To be done – Aurelie/Celine) AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES MONITORING
Paragraphe
Quote
EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF WATER COLOUR ON AMPHIBIANS
The impact of pond water color on amphibians remains unclear. In newts, body colour is used for sexual communication but its expression and perception may vary across different ponds, which may affect the population reproduction output. This study examined whether pond water colour influences the expression of body colour and behaviour in the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris).
THE ROLE OF TEMPORARY WETLANDS IN INFLUENCING THE BREEDING SUCCESS OF DUCKS AND BATS
This research activity focuses on the role of temporary wetlands in supporting wildlife, particularly duck breeding success, as well as bats’. The work includes field studies to monitor waterbird activity, measure aquatic invertebrate abundance, and evaluate habitat quality in boreal landscapes.
On this temporary pond nestled in the heart of the boreal landscape, a mother mallard guides her brood as they explore the vernal pool in search of food. Despite their challenging early days, these small wetlands, rich in aquatic insects and free from fish predation, offer a vital refuge for the survival of ducklings.” – Basile Marteau, Doctoral researcher in Forestry
(To complete – Petri/Celine) MONITORING BIODIVERSITY WITH WILDLIFE CAMERAS
Water birds are monitored with cameras in vernal pools, beaver flowages, and normal ponds.
INTEGRATING LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN NATURE CONSERVATION
Integrating local ecological knowledge within the context of temporary wetlands aims to strengthen conservation and devise policy instruments on this complex wetland system. This research involves collaboration with locals, researchers, land managers, and policymakers, and promotes participatory and citizen-based conservation and ecosystem stewardship.
LOSS-IN-IGNITION AND GRAIN SIZE ANALYSES OF A HOLOCENE PEAT CORE FROM A SEASONAL WETLAND
The development of a seasonal wetland in Evo, Southern Finland, was studied through loss-on-ignition and grain size analysis. Peat initiation in the wetland started >9500 cal yr BP. The shift to seasonal wetland happened during the mid-Holocene and early late Holocene. This shift from peatland to seasonal wetland may have been caused by increasing winter precipitation.
Artistic activities
ILLUSTRATING THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OVER THE SEASONS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
Through a naturalistic and artistic approach, the photography provides a striking comparison of the environment and biodiversity of vernal pools over the course of the year, particularly between spring and summer, when the wetlands dry up.
“The vernal pools seem to me like little oases in the heart of the forest. In spring, the forest is adorned with reflections in an almost fairytale atmosphere.” – Pierre-Lou, photographer
SKETCHING AND PAINTING OF LANDSCAPES, ANIMALS AND SCIENTISTS
Accompanying scientists in the field, sketching and painting landscapes and animals on site or afterwards, and leading workshops on the early and late stages of life in vernal pools have all helped raise awareness of the project’s significance and the importance of biodiversity. Through the exhibition, the goal is not only to show but also to share the ecological value of these discreet yet vital habitats.
PASSING BY – DANCING WITH VERNAL POOLS
Vernal pools were explored through the medium of dance. The research focused on observing the seasonal cycles of three different vernal pools by documenting their transformations.
“As we explored these pools and their surrounding environments, questions about human actions became central to our research. Whether hikers, biologists or dancers, we asked: What does it mean to become part of a certain environment, as a singular but responsible natural being, joyfully entering and engaging in caring for it?” – Katja (dance performer) & Jonas (artist)
RAP FOR VERNAL POOL BIODIVERSITY
The duckling rap Poolion pojat was composed and recorded by Castor F and uploaded to YouTube. The song invites us into the life of perky ducklings investigating how much there is to eat in vernal pools in Finland. The Poolion pojat rap is used as part of the Art & Science project, for example during workshops with schoolchildren.
REPRESENTING THE ECOSYSTEM THROUGH 2D ANIMATION
Digital media like 2D animation offer exciting possibilities to combine visual arts and scientific research. This contribute to the project aimed to represent the seasonal changes of a vernal pool by creating a video that immerses the viewers inside a vernal pool and the surrounding forest. The animation gives just a glimpse of the rich biodiversity and the complex food web that connects species in this ecosystems.
“This experience has taught me how valuable even a temporary ecosystem is to sustain a forest. Collaborating with researchers was inspiring and of crucial importance to work on a video that is both engaging and scientifically accurate.” – Luna, Visual science communicator
Art & Science awareness activities
(To be done – Aurelie/Celine/Radka/Hanna) EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES
Paragraph
Quote
LINKING ART & SCIENCE THROUGH MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXHIBITIONS
Through interdisciplinary exhibitions, people gain scientific knowledge with artistic elements produced by local and international artists and by interacting with arts. POOL exhibitions call for combined senses of the human body, a “see & touch & taste & listen” experience to increase the social perception of seasonal wetlands facing global changes in European boreal forests.
“Thank you for bringing forest to us, it has been a long time since I have been in the forest”, Exhibition visitor and resident of the town of Hämeenlinna
SCIENCE-ART SESSIONS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF AUDIENCES
Art plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of biodiversity by making ecological issues more accessible, fostering emotional connections, and bridging the gap between science and public understanding. Through its ability to influence cultural narratives and values, art serves as a powerful tool in promoting biodiversity conservation and encouraging sustainable interactions with the natural world. In the POOL project, methods were developped to make people play with the biodiversity of temporary wetlands in the European boreal forest while promoting its convention. A participatory science-art activity will be used to understand people perception of these unknown ecosystems to offer new perspectives based on nature beauty to biodiversity integration in the sustainable forest management.
(Text Aurélie Davranche, picture : Radka T-Vogel)