The ALFAwetlands and its sister projects will contribute to the Society for Ecological Restoration Europe (SERE) Conference 2026 through the thematic session SS18 – Wetland Restoration for Climate Mitigation, Biodiversity Recovery and Ecosystem Services.
The session will bring together researchers and practitioners working on innovative approaches to restoring peatlands, saltmarshes and seagrass ecosystems, while also exploring the social dimensions of wetland restoration across Europe.
The session showcases how wetland restoration supports multiple environmental objectives, including greenhouse gas mitigation, biodiversity recovery, ecosystem resilience and the delivery of ecosystem services. Contributions span a wide range of wetland types and restoration approaches, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Don´t miss SS18:
Liisa Ukonmaanaho, Tuula Larmola, Kaido Soosaar, Ana Lillebø and Francisco López
When: 27 August 2026, 09.30 -13.15
Where: Amphi B
In the course of this session Tuula Larmola, Kris DECLEER, Emmi Haltia, Salla Tenhovirta, Ville Tuominen presentations will showcase ALFAwetlands results:
- What are the hot topics in peatland restoration research in the light of the EU Nature Restoration Law? – Anne Tolvanen, Natural Resources Institute Finland
- 45 years of monitoring of fen meadow restoration in the Valley of the Zuidleie (Belgium): lessons learnt. – Kris DECLEER, Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Belgium
- Peatland CO2 and CH4 under climate change and alternative restoration options: process-based simulations – Ville Tuominen, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland
- From degradation to recovery: peatland restoration recorded in a Holocene sequence from Central Romania. – Agnes Ruskal, a Department of Geology and Research Centre for Integrated Geological Studies, Babeş-Bolyai University, Romania
- CO2 balances of rewetted and natural peatlands in the Soomaa mire complex, Estonia – Salla A. M. Tenhovirta, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences (Tartu), Finnish Meteorological Institute, Climate System Research
- Tracking changes in peatland recovery using remote sensing: lessons from Ireland – Catherine Farrell, Trinity College Dublin
- Mitigation potential of greenhouse gas emissions from boreal peatlands under different management and restoration regimes. –
Tuula Larmola (Natural Resources Institute Finland) - Seasonal variability in CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes for a restored saltmarsh chronosequence. – Charlotte M. Worrall (University of Essex)
- Seed-enriched sand nourishments on muddy substrate, to restore seagrass meadows in Loch Craignish, Scotland. – Roosmarijn Van Zummeren (Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors)
- Citizen and Landowner Perceptions of Wetland Restoration Across Europe: Insights from Large-Scale Surveys. – Emmi Haltia (Natural Resources Institute Finland).
Together, these presentations demonstrate the breadth of current wetland restoration research: from quantifying greenhouse gas reductions and understanding carbon dynamics, to developing nature-based restoration techniques and examining public perceptions that influence restoration success. The session reflects the shared ambition of ALFAwetlands and its sister projects to generate robust scientific evidence and practical solutions that support Europe’s climate, biodiversity and restoration goals.
Researchers, practitioners and policy stakeholders attending SERE 2026 are invited to join the session to discuss the latest advances in wetland restoration science and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Restoration knowledge and tools
In addition, ALFAwetlands deputy coordinator, Tuula Larmola, will also contribute to the SS2 Session with the presentation “What knowledge and tools are needed most urgently for restoring wetlands and inland waters?“, presenting first results of the important survey.
WET HORIZONS Session
Furthermore, ALFAwetlands coordinator will also contribute to the Special Session of the WET HORIZONS sister project on Tuesday 25 August 2026. The session is open to all SERE 2026 participants. It represents the culmination of five years of collaborative research and offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the science, tools, and policy insights that will shape Europe’s wetland restoration agenda. Find more about this Session here: Session.
SERE Conference 2026
Conference´s main objective is to share knowledge and strengthen links between stakeholders in ecological restoration.
The conference is also aimed to build bridges with topics that are less well-integrated, such as the restoration of ecological networks and marine ecosystems. Particular attention will be paid to the restoration of wetlands and coastal ecosystems, very present in Brittany.
The conference will also focus on the application of European Law on Nature restoration legislation and the implementation of National Restoration Plans.
It is also important to mention that SERE is an ALFAwetlands affiliated partner and will present at the Conference ALFAwetlands Reference Tool, which supports the cost-effective implementation of wetland restoration.
Visit Conference website for more information and possible updates:
Looking forward to meet you at SERE 2026!