Håkan Rydin: Ecology of mire plants and bryophytes
I retired in 2019, but I am still active in some of the research described below.
Peatland ecology
Together with PhD students and international colleagues my focus has been (and is) on peatland ecology and covers competition, niche relations, ecophysiology, reproductive biology and dispersal in Sphagnum (peat mosses). Other projects deal with changes in species composition over time in peatlands, restauration of drained fens, effects of nitrogen deposition and the carbon balance of peatlands.
Ph D students who worked with peatland ecology:
Urban Gunnarsson, 2000: Vegetation changes on Swedish mires.
Sebastian Sundberg, 2000: Sexual reproduction in Sphagnum.
Kalle Mälson, 2008: Plant responses after drainage and restoration in rich fens.
Gustaf Granath, 2012. Peatland bryophytes in a changing environment.
Daniel Udd, licentiate thesis 2012. Dispersal, environment and biotic interactions as filters in plant community formation.
Fia Bengtsson, 2019. Functional traits in Sphagnum.
Charles Campbell, 2019. Sphagnum limits – physiology, morphology and climate.
Book on peatlands: Rydin H, Jeglum JK. 2013. The biology of peatlands, 2nd ed. OUP.
Bryophytes as epiphytes
In the epiphyte project we have applied experiments and spatial and metapopulation approaches to cover the whole chain of events determining the distribution of species: spore production, dispersal and survival. An example is the spatial pattern off the red-listed moss Neckera pennata and its dependence on host tree species.
Ph D students who worked with epiphytes:
Tord Snäll, 2004: Distribution patterns and metapopulation dynamics of epiphytic mosses and lichens.
Karin Wiklund, 2004: Establishment, growth and population dynamics in two mosses of old-growth forests.
Swantje Löbel, 2010: Metapopulation and metacommunity processes: dispersal strategies and life-history trade-offs in epiphytes.
Islands in Lake Hjälmaren – a century-long study
A project on long-term dynamics covered the succession, island biogeography and seed bank development on small islands in Lake Hjälmaren which were created in 1886 when the water table of the lake was lowered. The floristic development has been followed with surveys in 1886, 1892, 1903, 1920s and in the 1980s.
Ph D students who worked with long-term dynamics in vegetation:
Sven-Olov Borgegård, 1990: Primary succession in man-made environments.
Ulf Grandin, 1998: Long-term studies of succession.