Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TREICLAKE (TOWARDS RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION CAPACITY IN STUDING LAKE ECOSYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-12-31
The overall objective of the TREICLAKE project was to implement a scientific excellence strategy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) to bring the Chair of Hydrobiology and Fisheries (CHF) into higher levels of scientific knowledge and innovation capacity in the field of aquatic ecology. This objective was achieved by strengthening collaborations with two high-ranking academic institutions, University of Jyväskylä (JYU, Finland) and Aarhus University (AU, Denmark).
EMU improved the scope and capabilities of its analytical methodology for various biochemical and molecular research methods to study the origin of carbon sources and food web functioning in aquatic ecosystems. EMU researchers learned new analytical methods, including fatty acid and compound specific stable isotope (SI) analysis, as well as sample collection and SI analyses of the trace gas, methane (CH4), which was previously not used at EMU. Trainings on the use of next-generation Ecosystem Modelling by AU researchers increased the skills of EMU researchers in applying process-based mathematical modelling approaches for catchment and lake ecosystems and provided fruitful collaborative work. EMU leveraged its research activities into two new directions: allometric and stable isotope modelling. The continuing collaborative modelling work aims to produce joint publications in highly rated scientific journals and to foster additional growth of ecosystem modelling expertise at EMU.
One of the project aims was to improve experimental research infrastructure at EMU. The project team visited the longest continuously operating mesocosm facility in the world at AU in Silkeborg, Denmark, and gained valuable knowledge about its construction and functions. EMU early career researchers (ECRs) participated in mesocosm experiments at both AU and the Middle-East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). These ECRs increased their international networks and collaborated on intensive mesocosm experiments to study the effects of eutrophication on aquatic ecosystems. As a result of these activities, EMU obtained basic knowledge on mesocosm facility design and maintenance and prepared a plan for constructing a similar facility in Estonia if funding becomes available. The facility is planned to be used for international cooperation experiments.
EMU created and adopted a Data Management Plan for the CHF to improve the capacity of researchers to manage and secure data generated during research activities.
During 2021-2023, the CHF improved its visibility in the international scientific community. EMU, JYU, and AU staff attended 17 international scientific conferences with 43 oral and 15 poster presentations. EMU hosted the 11th International Shallow Lakes Conference in Tartu, Estonia (11-16 June 2023), held the End of Project Dissemination Conference (Tallinn, 9.11.2023) and organised several seminars and symposiums. Collaboration in TREICLAKE resulted in 23 scientific articles in 17 different scientific journals, including two papers in Nature Communications (IF 16.6) see the open access repository at EMU, DSpace; https://dspace.emu.ee/xmlui/handle/10492/7299(opens in new window)). Nine manuscripts have been submitted recently or are being prepared in 2024. One submitted EU Horizon/Water JPI joint call proposal was not successful, but project partners are still working on proposals to be submitted in the future.
One of the most important goals of the Project was for EMU to boost the scientific activity of ECRs, they participated in courses and workshops of partner universities and events in Estonia and at JYU and AU. 17 international conferences and 10 international workshops were attended by EMU, JYU, and AU ECRs and PhD students, with more than 40 posters and oral presentations. Mentorship provided by the partner universities on writing research papers was very beneficial for ECRs at EMU. To improve the quality of lake ecology education at EMU, two new MSc/PhD level courses were prepared and delivered: (1) Stable Isotope Applications and (2) Aquatic Ecosystem Modelling. The Summer School “Field Experience in Limnology” (5-9.06.2023) was a great success worth repeating.
The project team promoted student exchanges between the partner universities and attracted students and Post-Doc researchers to study aquatic ecology in EMU. As an outcome of the Project, ERASMUS+ agreements between EMU and JUY have been established. One EMU MSc student spent a semester at JYU in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. Her feedback: “I felt secure and got lots of motivation to continue my studies and pursue a career in science”. The ERASMUS+ agreement and exchange will contribute to development of future collaborations and common projects.
The Plan for Dissemination and Exploitation of the project’s results was composed and periodically updated for systematically increasing the visibility of EMU. Previously unused or underutilized options for promoting wider attention, such as social media, public events, expositions, and activities aimed at politicians, etc., were implemented. Estonian environmental policy makers attended the World Water Day conference, the End of Project Dissemination Conference, and seminars organised for openings of exhibitions created by the project team (Amazon River exhibition in 2022 and Lake Võrtsjärv exhibition in 2023). A policy brief on the mutual interactions of lakes and climate change, titled “Climate change affects lakes. What can we do?” (http://hdl.handle.net/10492/8672(opens in new window)) was published. A strategy document for the ecosystem status of Lake Peipsi (http://hdl.handle.net/10492/8671(opens in new window)) was published. In addition to the new efforts for better visibility, 70-years of experience and scientific expertise at EMU has been useful for designing and implementation of environmental strategies, ensuring that the importance of lakes for economics and conservation of natural resources, as well as various other ecosystem services, is recognized.
To popularize the study of lake ecosystems for future students and the general public, EMU intensified cooperation with science communication institutions in Estonia. EMU offered an opportunity for school pupils at the Tartu Environmental Education Centre to spend a day with EMU scientists in 2022 and 2023. Both the Amazonas and Võrtsjärv exhibitions were opened with a seminar. The Amazonas exhibition was relocated from the Lake Museum to Pernova Nature House (Pärnu) for the September 2023 to June 2024 period. The Project’s Final Dissemination Conference was titled “How to better apply scientific results to improve the condition of lakes.
Among other benefits, EMU improved its capacity for guidance of research and development and increased capabilities of EMU researchers to apply for research projects. Especially inspiring was the workshop on strategic planning from the JYU project management services team, where EMU participants collectively discussed and produced a preferred future image for research funding and projects in 2030.
One of the project aims was to improve experimental research infrastructure at EMU. The project team visited the longest continuously operating mesocosm facility in the world at AU in Silkeborg, Denmark, and gained valuable knowledge about its construction and functions. EMU early career researchers (ECRs) participated in mesocosm experiments at both AU and the Middle-East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey). These ECRs increased their international networks and collaborated on intensive mesocosm experiments to study the effects of eutrophication on aquatic ecosystems. As a result of these activities, EMU obtained basic knowledge on mesocosm facility design and maintenance and prepared a plan for constructing a similar facility in Estonia if funding becomes available. The facility is planned to be used for international cooperation experiments.
EMU created and adopted a Data Management Plan for the CHF to improve the capacity of researchers to manage and secure data generated during research activities.
During 2021-2023, the CHF improved its visibility in the international scientific community. EMU, JYU, and AU staff attended 17 international scientific conferences with 43 oral and 15 poster presentations. EMU hosted the 11th International Shallow Lakes Conference in Tartu, Estonia (11-16 June 2023), held the End of Project Dissemination Conference (Tallinn, 9.11.2023) and organised several seminars and symposiums. Collaboration in TREICLAKE resulted in 23 scientific articles in 17 different scientific journals, including two papers in Nature Communications (IF 16.6) see the open access repository at EMU, DSpace; https://dspace.emu.ee/xmlui/handle/10492/7299(opens in new window)). Nine manuscripts have been submitted recently or are being prepared in 2024. One submitted EU Horizon/Water JPI joint call proposal was not successful, but project partners are still working on proposals to be submitted in the future.
One of the most important goals of the Project was for EMU to boost the scientific activity of ECRs, they participated in courses and workshops of partner universities and events in Estonia and at JYU and AU. 17 international conferences and 10 international workshops were attended by EMU, JYU, and AU ECRs and PhD students, with more than 40 posters and oral presentations. Mentorship provided by the partner universities on writing research papers was very beneficial for ECRs at EMU. To improve the quality of lake ecology education at EMU, two new MSc/PhD level courses were prepared and delivered: (1) Stable Isotope Applications and (2) Aquatic Ecosystem Modelling. The Summer School “Field Experience in Limnology” (5-9.06.2023) was a great success worth repeating.
The project team promoted student exchanges between the partner universities and attracted students and Post-Doc researchers to study aquatic ecology in EMU. As an outcome of the Project, ERASMUS+ agreements between EMU and JUY have been established. One EMU MSc student spent a semester at JYU in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. Her feedback: “I felt secure and got lots of motivation to continue my studies and pursue a career in science”. The ERASMUS+ agreement and exchange will contribute to development of future collaborations and common projects.
The Plan for Dissemination and Exploitation of the project’s results was composed and periodically updated for systematically increasing the visibility of EMU. Previously unused or underutilized options for promoting wider attention, such as social media, public events, expositions, and activities aimed at politicians, etc., were implemented. Estonian environmental policy makers attended the World Water Day conference, the End of Project Dissemination Conference, and seminars organised for openings of exhibitions created by the project team (Amazon River exhibition in 2022 and Lake Võrtsjärv exhibition in 2023). A policy brief on the mutual interactions of lakes and climate change, titled “Climate change affects lakes. What can we do?” (http://hdl.handle.net/10492/8672(opens in new window)) was published. A strategy document for the ecosystem status of Lake Peipsi (http://hdl.handle.net/10492/8671(opens in new window)) was published. In addition to the new efforts for better visibility, 70-years of experience and scientific expertise at EMU has been useful for designing and implementation of environmental strategies, ensuring that the importance of lakes for economics and conservation of natural resources, as well as various other ecosystem services, is recognized.
To popularize the study of lake ecosystems for future students and the general public, EMU intensified cooperation with science communication institutions in Estonia. EMU offered an opportunity for school pupils at the Tartu Environmental Education Centre to spend a day with EMU scientists in 2022 and 2023. Both the Amazonas and Võrtsjärv exhibitions were opened with a seminar. The Amazonas exhibition was relocated from the Lake Museum to Pernova Nature House (Pärnu) for the September 2023 to June 2024 period. The Project’s Final Dissemination Conference was titled “How to better apply scientific results to improve the condition of lakes.
Among other benefits, EMU improved its capacity for guidance of research and development and increased capabilities of EMU researchers to apply for research projects. Especially inspiring was the workshop on strategic planning from the JYU project management services team, where EMU participants collectively discussed and produced a preferred future image for research funding and projects in 2030.
The Project achieved its objectives: scientists in the EMU CHF learned new knowledge and skills, which increased their potential for producing high level science and education products, opportunities for ECRs widened, and the university is more visible and influential in Estonia and globally. Collaboration between the EMU, AU and JYU will proceed well into the future.