The annual conference of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences will take place on Friday, the 28th of November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Oecologicum, room 127, and the general theme of the conference is “Green Transition and Smart Solutions: Science for a Sustainable Future.” The conference will be held in English.
This conference theme brings together the diverse research fields of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences — botany, geography, geology, zoology, and science education — to explore how scientific knowledge and skills drives sustainable change. It highlights how smart, evidence-based solutions and green competences can support the transition to resilient ecosystems, responsible resource use, and informed environmental decision-making.
Conference programme
10.00–10.30 REGISTRATION AND COFFEE
10.30–10.35 OPENING WORDS Maarja Öpik, Director of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
10.35–10.45 Announcement of the ÖMI Ambassador Scholarship Recipients, Toomas Tammaru, Department of Zoology
10.45–11.45 Keynote: “Green Transition in Estonia”, Eili Lepik, Director General of Green Reform Department, Ministry of Climate
11.45–12.00 “What we do in the shadows: Citizen science as a path to sustainable wildlife monitoring”, Christel Rose Bachmann, Department of Zoology
12.00–12.15 “The role of science education for sustainable future”, Tapashi Binte Mahmud Chowdhurry, Centre for Science Education
12.15–13.00 LUNCH BREAK (on one’s own)
13.00–13.15 “From decline to recovery: Solutions for wetland species conservation”, Riinu Rannap, Department of Zoology
13.15–13.30 “Creating a climate literate generation – one thesis at a time”, Marie Johanna Univer, Centre for Science Education
13.30–13.45 “Estonia’s digital society through the lens of ageing rural communities”, Kadri Leetmaa, Department of Geography
13.45–14.00 “Estonian river flow over a century: The interplay of climate and human activity”, Marko Kohv, Department of Geology
14.00–14.30 COFFEE BREAK
14.30–14.45 “Role of cloud forest canopy microbiome in green house gas dynamics”, Fahad Ali Kazmi, Department of Geography
14.45–15.00 “Integrating ecological theory and agroecosystems – natural experiments as useful tools in ecology”, Tanel Vahter, Department of Botany
15.00–15.15 “Solid wastes from the Estonian oil shale industry – resource or a problem?”, Elina Kuusma, Department of Geology
15.15–15.30 “Designing better biodiversity offsets: Evidence from the MycoPhylo experiment”, Manikandan Ariyan, Department of Botany
15.30 CLOSING REMARKS
15.35 INFORMAL DISCUSSION, SNACKS
Register for the conference here until the 24th of November.
More information: The organizer of the conference: Vision and Integration Committee of the Institute.