Special Guest Seminar with Dr. Pavlo Ardanov

Dr. Pavlo Ardanov is a Ukrainian plant physiologist and agroecologist whose work focuses on biodiversity‑based agriculture, plant–microbe interactions, and the design of high‑performance polycultures for resilient farming systems. He completed his PhD in plant physiology at the University of Oulu, where he investigated priming capacities of endophytic bacteria in crops, and has since held research positions in Finland, Germany, Sweden, Argentina, and the United States. Pavlo is currently a research scholar at the University of Oulu, leading a proof‑of‑concept experiment on plant‑associated microbiomes of accumulator and bioenergy grasses and coordinating the development of a Horizon Europe Innovation Action proposal on the sustainable restoration of war‑damaged Ukrainian agrolandscapes through bioremediation, agroforestry, and rewilding. He has extensive experience in participatory agroecology, citizen science, and permaculture education, and has coordinated multi‑partner international projects and conferences on restoring agricultural landscapes after military activities.

Sustainable restoration of war-damaged Ukrainian agrolandscapes through bioremediation, agroforestry, and rewilding

Ukraine’s war-damaged agrolandscapes face severe challenges, including heavy-metal contamination, soil disturbance, biodiversity loss, and disrupted farming systems. This Horizon Europe Innovation Action proposal addresses these issues by integrating bioremediation, agroforestry, and rewilding into scalable restoration pathways. Key approaches include EO/AI-based diagnostics, bioenergy-crop-driven phytoextraction, and the transformation of damaged landscapes into ecological corridors and buffer zones, supported by participatory governance and open-science frameworks.

During his visit to the University of Oulu, Dr. Pavlo Ardanov is conducting a proof-of-concept study on plant-associated microbiomes in accumulator and bioenergy grasses, exploring their role in enhancing phytoextraction. In parallel, he is developing a Horizon Europe proposal that brings together expertise in ecological restoration, plant–microbe interactions, and socio-ecological innovation across European and Ukrainian research networks.

This work highlights the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions for restoring war-impacted agricultural landscapes.

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