Chair of Physical Geography and Environmental Technology

Mission

Research-based learning and teaching both traditional disciplines of physical geography as well as fast-developing methods of landscape analysis and green technologies.

Learning

Main skills that are acquired stem from both traditional and innovative disciplines of physical geography: geomorphology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, soil science and biogeography. The innovative skills include process-based modelling and geoinformatics as well as basics of environmental technologies. Causes and effects of climate change at local, regional and global scales are a focus. Environmental technologies are approached as mitigation measures against climate change, especially for water quality. Many physical geographers are employed as environmental experts at public and private offices. Several alumni have applied their skills in strategic and local planning, as well as researchers and teachers at the University of Tartu and many other colleges and institutes.

Research

Our research includes studies of carbon and nutrient cycling in landscapes, climatic and environmental change. The chair collaborates with research and public institutions in Estonia and across the globe. The chair is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory complex for experiments and analyses on matter cycling. We are a centre of excellence on climatic analysis. Research outcomes are applicable in planning, environmental measures and strategies for Estonia and other regions.

Research directions

• Climate change and adaptation
• Cycling of matter in landscapes
• Constructed wetlands and buffer zones for regulation of matter cycling
• Microbial processes in carbon and nutrient cycles
• Rhizosphere processes in ecosystems
• Dendrochronology and dendroclimatology

A selection of Master level topics is available here.

Research groups

• Climatology
• Research group on material cycling in landscapes and ecotechnology
• Ecotechnology
• Environmental microbiology research group
• Root Ecology Lab
• Dendrochronology and dendroclimatology