During his PhD studies, Asger Buur Jensen researched carbon accumulation in restored and managed wetlands such as temperate peatlands and saltmarshes. Degradation and draining of these wetlands have led to a dramatical shift in their physicochemical environment, which has made fast and sustainable restoration and management to maximize carbon accumulation complicated. Asger Buur Jensen studied a range of factors important for enhancing carbon accumulation which included water table height, recolonization of wetland plants, biomass production and biotic interactions such as grazing.

The new research findings show that the importance of plants cannot be underestimated, as they play a pivotal role in biogeochemical soil processes, curbing of both CO₂ and methane emissions, and ensures the maintenance and recurrence of wetland functionality.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Aquatic Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 23 August 2024 at 13:00
Place: Building 1531, room 219, Lecture Theatre Aud-D4, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 118, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Maximizing and maintaining carbon storage in wetlands: The role of hydrology and plants in restoration

Contact information: Asger Buur Jensen, e-mail: asgerbuur@bio.au.dk tel.: +45 29 38 93 37

Members of the assessment committee:

Professor Hana Čížková, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Czeck Republic

Associate Professor Theis Kragh, Biological Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

Associate Professor, Alejandro Ordonez Gloria (chair), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Brian Keith Sorrell, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Assistant Professor Franziska Eller, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8000 Aarhus C.