Access to instrumented research field

The NorPeat research platform (26 hectares) is a cultivated peatland with eight plots that are intensively monitored using sensors and data loggers. The platform enables long-term research on greenhouse gas emissions and waterborne nutrient loading.

Individual plots can be cultivated differently, allowing the study of environmental impacts of various treatments (e.g., different crops, fertilization, cultivation practices). A nearby water storage basin (0.7 ha) is connected to a controlled drainage system, enabling sub-irrigation and groundwater level regulation on individual plots.

Measurement devices allow monitoring of environmental impacts of cultivation, such as greenhouse gas emissions, subsurface and surface runoff flow, and water quality. In the center of the field is the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s (FMI) eddy covariance tower, which continuously measures GHG emissions and weather data year-round. Additionally, there is an official FMI weather station adjacent to the research platform.

Through the research barn at the Ruukki infrastructure, grass and forage cultivation can be linked to animal feeding, enabling comprehensive studies of feed and beef production. The NorMi research platform, which shares the same crop rotation as NorPeat, allows for comparative environmental impact studies on peat and mineral soils. The platform also supports custom equipment testing.

NorPeat is part of the international AnaEE ERIC infrastructure for experimental ecosystem research.

Additional services are available but must be booked in advance (e.g., various scales, drying ovens, plant choppers, freezers, cold storage, etc.). Other services can be negotiated separately.

• Water samples can be collected based on runoff flow conditions.
• Soil and vegetation samples can be collected weekly, for example.
• Greenhouse gas measurements can be conducted weekly or less frequently from four points across the area.
• The eddy covariance tower continuously monitors the area, accounting for wind directions.

Researchers, research groups, research communities, research networks, research projects, research organizations, companies.

• Physical, remote or hybrid access.
• Minimum reservation duration: 1 week.

• Importing plant diseases, pests, and GMO plant material into the area is only allowed in accordance with legislation and through separate case-by-case negotiations.
• Importing harmful invasive species is prohibited, and the import of other non-native species must be agreed upon separately.
• Use of chemicals must be negotiated separately (only permitted substances or those approved for testing).
• Plant health of plant materials brought in from elsewhere must always be verified with plant health certificates.
• Research must not cause long-term harm or reduce the usability of the infrastructure after the study period.
• The area is drained, and all modifications must occur above the drainage system.

• Desired soil type, peat thickness, crop species, fertilization, plant protection, number of harvests, and timing of harvests.
• Required soil and vegetation samples for analysis.
• Sample quantities per plot.
• Plot-specific treatments if different treatments are planned for different plots.
• Requests for irrigation per plot and desired groundwater level.