Kaisa-Leena Huttunen

I am assistant professor (tenure track) in freshwater biodiversity working in the Stream Ecology Research group in the Ecology and Genetics Research Unit. The position is linked to Profi-8 programme SAFIRE, Safeguarding biodiversity through interdisciplinary research on habitat restoration.

My research interests lie broadly in aquatic ecology including themes related to biodiversity, biotic community dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Through my research I aim to enhance understanding of ecological responses to changes in the surrounding environment including both spatial and temporal aspects. The key themes are related to long-term patterns in benthic invertebrates; the ecological effects of human induced environmental changes, such as water brownification, eutrophication, droughts and pink salmon invasion; and possible means to buffer and mitigate the negative effects.

Currently, I am leading my Academy Research Fellow project “Greener rivers in the warming Arctic? Anticipating the short- and long-term effects of additional nutrient inputs” funded by the Research Council of Finland (2023-2027) and Emerging Project “The potential of non-native pink salmon to boost Arctic ecosystems – a threat or an opportunity?” funded by the University of Oulu (2023-2026).

Research interests

• Temporal and spatial patterns in freshwater biodiversity
• Ecological effects of human-induced environmental changes
• Linkages between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
• Linkages across organism groups
• Arctic and subarctic regions