Dr. Aveliina Helm, University of Tartu
Mark profile

Dr. Aveliina Helm

Nominated by

  • Estonian Research Council
  • AcademiaNet member since 31.10.2020
  • AcademiaNet- Selection Criteria


Employed by

  • University of Tartu


Academic Discipline/Fields

  • Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary
  • Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics


Field

Agriculture, Environment



Area of specialisation

Ecology, Landscape ecology, Restoration ecology, Biodiversity, Ecosystem services



Research interests

  • I am an ecologist and conservation biologist with interests in development, persistence and protection of biodiversity.

  • I run a landscape biodiversity group at the University of Tartu, Estonia. My research focuses on (1) dynamics of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services in landscape-scale, (2) drivers of change in species diversity, dispersal, invasion and ecosystem functioning, (3) high-nature value farming and landscape-planning for sustainable food production, (5) conservation and restoration of biodiversity and related ecosystem services.

  • I actively participate in the development of habitat restoration and conservation projects in Estonia and am an initiator and promoter of 'Everyone's Nature Conservation' concept, popular approach to biodiversity conservation outside protected areas in Estonia. I put a lot of effort into communication of scientific and conservation topics to wider audiences in Estonia and abroad and have authored a tool Rohemeeter (Greenmeter, rohemeeter.ee), a web-based application for getting location-based recommendations for efficient conservation actions. I also run a spin-off company of the University of Tartu – Nordic Botanical Ltd. – that focuses on applying ecological knowledge for developing nature-friendly and sustainable landscape and urban design.



Distinctions and Awards

  • Badge of Distinction (University of Tartu), 2019

  • Keeper of Estonian Culture of Biology (Estonian Naturalists' Society), 2019

  • Friend of Nature (Estonian Nature Conservation Society), 2019

  • Friend of Science Journalism (Society of Estonian Science Journalists), 2018

  • Nature Conservation Silver Badge (Ministry of Environment, Estonia), 2018

  • Young Conservationist Award (Estonian Fund for Nature), 2013

  • Awards at the Estonian National Contest for Young Scientists (Ministry of Science and Education), 2001, 2005, 2007

  • Biodiversity conservation and restoration advisor for Estonian Environmental Board, Ministry of Rural Affairs, Ministry of Environment and for Centre of Environmental Investments



Interested in

  • Lectures, Management position, Professorship


Languages

English, Estonian



Doctorate

  • 2007: “Formation and persistence of dry grassland diversity: role of human history and landscape structure”




Short CV/Education and training

  • Since 2015
    Lead Author, IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) Regional Assessment for Europe and Central Asia; Review Editor, IPBES assessment of invasive species

  • Since 2013
    Senior researcher, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu

  • 2007 – 2013
    Researcher, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu

  • 2001 – 2007
    Research assistant, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu

  • 1996 – 2000
    Research assistant, Estonian Literary Museum

Selected publications

  • Aavik, T. & Helm, A. (2017). Restoration of plant species and genetic diversity depends on landscape-scale dispersal. Restoration Ecology, 26:S92-S102.

  • Török, P., Helm, A. (2017). Ecological theory provides strong support for habitat restoration. Biological Conservation, 206, 85−91.

  • Kasari, L., Saar, L., de Bello, F., Takkis, K., Helm, A. (2016). Hybrid ecosystems can contribute to local biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 25 (14), 3023-3041.

  • Helm, A. (2015). Habitat restoration requires landscape‐scale planning. Applied Vegetation Science, 18 (2), 177−178.

  • Helm, A., Zobel, M., Moles, A.T., Szava-Kovats, R., Pärtel, M. (2015). Characteristic and derived diversity: implementing the species pool concept to quantify conservation condition of habitats. Diversity and Distributions, 21 (6), 711−721.

  • Saar, L., Takkis, K., Pärtel, M., Helm, A. (2012). Which plant traits predict species loss in calcareous grasslands with extinction debt? Diversity and Distributions, 18, 808−817.



Complete list of publications

Selected projects

  • EC LIFE-IP. Comprehensive management of forest and farming landscapes to improve the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitats and species. Co-I, 2020 – 2030

  • Estonian Research Council. Landscape-scale biodiversity restoration and time-lags in ecosystem functions (RESTFUNC). Participation status: PI, 2020 – 2024

  • European Regional Development Fund. The Centre of Excellence, EcolChange – Ecology of Global Change: natural and managed ecosystems. University of Tartu. Co-I, 2016 – 2023

  • Centre of Environmental Investments. Large-scale grassland restoration impacts on biodiversity. University of Tartu. PI, 2019 – 2021

  • Ministry of Rural Affairs program for applied research. Enhancing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. University of Tartu. PI, 2019 – 2020

  • Estonian Environmental Agency. Mapping and Assessing Ecosystems and their Services in Estonia. University of Tartu and University of Life Sciences. Participation status: PI at the University of Tartu, 2018 – 2020

Membership in scientific bodies/juries

  • Head of the Board of Estonian Fund for Nature, since 2020

  • Member Society for Ecological Restoration Europe, since 2019

  • Member Estonian Fund For Nature, since 2019

  • Member Estonian Semi-Natural Community Conservation Association, since 2018

  • Member University of Tartu Centre of Natural Resources, since 2016

  • Owner and member of Board, Nordic Botanical Ltd., since 2012

  • Member Estonian Naturalists' Society

  • Member Society for Ecological Restoration

  • Member Ecosystem Service Partnership

  • Member International Association of Vegetation Science

  • Member British Ecological Society

Media coverage

  • https://landscape.ut.ee/publications/public-presentations-and-press-coverage/?lang=en

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