Projects — Paul Szejner, PhD

Adapting drained forests to future climates

A Nordic–Baltic consortium project examining how seasonal water availability affects tree growth, water quality, and biodiversity in drained hemiboreal forests — and whether low-cost adaptive drainage measures (overflow dams, adjustable culvert gates) can ease drought stress and improve water retention as the climate changes. The work combines hydrological modelling with field experiments across the region, looking at tree physiology alongside water quality and aquatic biodiversity.

Funder — NordForsk Duration — 2026–2029 Consortium lead — Maarja Vaikre, University of Tartu My role — Coordinator, Luke Luke funding — €500,000 (consortium partner)

Full project listing on NordForsk.org →

The Finland site

I coordinate Luke's role as a consortium partner, contributing the tree physiology side of the project: how drained hemiboreal stands respond physiologically to changing seasonal water availability, and how that response relates to the water-retention and water-quality questions the wider consortium is investigating in Estonia and Latvia.

Pilot studies & work in progress

Early-stage measurements at the Finland site, ahead of publication:

Stem CO₂ efflux monitoring Pilot

More pilot studies are underway. Details are intentionally kept high-level here since results aren't public yet — send over what you're comfortable sharing (study names, methods, timeline) and I'll expand this section.

Past projects & grants

2022 — Szejner, P. (Responsable). “Strengthening collaboration networks and enhancing scientific capabilities in Latin America through innovative research between tree-ring research groups from Mexico and Chile.” International Mobility Research Fellowship Program for Latin American and Caribbean early-career scientists.
2021–2022 — Szejner, P. (PI). “Ecophysiological variations along the tree growing season recorded in the dendrochronological archive.” Program for Research and Technological Innovation Projects (PAPIIT), UNAM. US $20,000 (mass spectrometer facilities for dendrochronological research).
2021–2023 — Szejner, P. (Co-PI). “Temporal variations of the isotopic composition of atmospheric CO₂ as indicators of emission sources in Mexico City.” UNAM Internal Support Program for Research and Technological Innovation Projects (PAPIIT). US $30,000 (atmospheric CO₂ dynamics near Mexico City).
2012–2013 — Szejner, P. (PI). “Reconstruction of the Precipitation and streamflow of the Choapa basin, using Kagenekia Angustifolia.” Private-sector consultancy/research funding. US $80,000.