Our research focuses on food webs and salmonid fish populations in subarctic and alpine lakes across Fennoscandia. We use stable isotope analyses and space-for-time modelling to study how e.g. lake morphometry, productivity, climatic conditions, community composition and human impacts, such as species' introductions and hydropower-induced water level regulation, affect native fish species and the structure and function of food webs in freshwater ecosystems. Our research topics also include environmental issues associated with migration barriers in river networks (e.g. culverts and old dams) and impacts of invasive Pacific pink salmon on coupling between marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
Matthew Cobain and coauthors have published a very interesting and topical review paper introducing the various applications and challenges related to the use of amino acid carbon stable isotopes for tracing the origin and use of basal resources in food webs!
, 2025) The Power and Pitfalls of Amino Acid Carbon Stable Isotopes for Tracing Origin and Use of Basal Resources in Food Webs. Ecological Monographs 95: e1647.
Henna Kangosjärvi joined the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland, including the My Northern Project science popularization contest. The audience selected her presentation as their favorite - congratulations Henna! :) You can read more about the event and Henna's talk here:
Check out the new Hakai newsletter introducing some of our collaborations on environmental impacts of invasive pink salmon in Norwegian rivers, with MSc student Lauri Ryynänen helping out in electrofishing at Grense Jakobselva :)
Our new review paper "Environmental drivers of food webs in charr- and trout-dominated high-latitude lakes" is now published in Fish and Fisheries journal! Please follow this link to read the paper: Congratulations to Henna Kangosjärvi for getting the first paper published in a highly distinguished journal - great job!!
In 7-9 March 2024, we had a nice ColdWebs mid-term project meeting in cold but beautiful Kilpisjärvi, close to the border of Finland, Sweden and Norway. In addition to fruitful discussions about the project outcomes, next steps and future projects, we went for a small cross-country skiing or snowshoeing trip on the lake. The wind was terribly cold, but the atmosphere was really warm, especially in the sauna! :)
Henna Kangosjärvi has written an interesting popular-science article about environmental problems associated with water level regulation in hydropower reservoirs. The article can be found in pages.
was organized in Nikko, Japan, from 25th May to 2nd June 2023. The meeting gathered nearly 100 scientists working on Salvelinus sp. salmonid species and was filled with interesting presentations, fruitful discussions and amazing adventures to the stunning Japanese landscapes and culinary master pieces :) This was the first scientific conference and oral presentation for the doctoral researcher Henna Kangosjärvi and the 4th (but definitely not the last!!) Charr Symposium for the group leader Antti Eloranta.
, and others organized a very interesting workshop in Hólar, Iceland, in 16-19 January 2023. The "Within-species Diversity Workshop" was funded by the and aimed to 1) discuss existing research and policy approaches to intraspecific variation; 2) identify knowledge gaps and how transdisciplinary approaches and data-sharing could aid in addressing these; 3) brainstorm methods for mapping and monitoring of intraspecific variation for research, policymaking, and public education; and 4) devise a plan to gather and collate local knowledge of diversity within species (i.e. indigenous knowledge, local/traditional awareness of within-species differences that have not yet been recorded in Western scientific literature). We really enjoyed the fruitful discussions and networking as well as the hospitality, food and beautiful scenery in Iceland! :)
partners joined the first physical meeting in Konnevesi Research Station in early November 2022. Great company and discussions about the project achievements and future activities! :)
People from the left: Matthew Cobain (JYU), and (Umeå University), and (NTNU), Antti Eloranta and Katja Räsänen (JYU), (UiT The Arctic University of Norway), (University of Waterloo), (JYU), (Luke), (Holar University), and (JYU).
Field work in six subarctic lakes in the northwestern tip of Finland was completed successfully by Henna Kangosjärvi, Jenni Takalo and despite of various challenges with weather conditions, sicknesses etc. Now time for some lab work to get new interesting data from these fascinating cold, ultraoligotrophic lakes and their Arctic charr populations :)
The physical kick-off meeting of was arranged in Spain in 9-12 May 2022 and included great discussions, excellent food and wine, and an amazing visit to one of the three Spanish case study lakes, Lake Sanabria.
People from the left: Matthew Cobain, , Stefan Blumentrath, , , , Antti Eloranta and
project got funding from the Research Council of Norway! Looking forward to start this fascinating project in 2023 together with , and others!
did a great job defending his about rotenone treatment impacts on freshwater invertebrates. Congratulations!
