PhD defence: How methane dynamics shape the climate effectiveness of peatland rewetting
During his PhD studies, Shihao Cui investigated CH4 emission dynamics in rewetted peatlands and their impact on the climate outcomes of rewetting.
Info about event
Time
Location
8814-3075, Foulum Auditoriet, Institut for Agroøkologi, Aarhus Universitet, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele
Current static emission factor-based climate assessments largely neglect the temporal evolution of CH4 under dynamic hydrological and management conditions, potentially mischaracterizing the true climate outcomes of rewetting and overlooking opportunities to shape those outcomes through rewetting design and adaptive management. By integrating global data synthesis, laboratory incubations, field experiments, and global upscaling, Shihao Cui uncovered how CH4 emission trajectories and management pathways determine climate outcomes of rewetting, clarified how hydrological variability regulates CH4-related biogeochemical processes, and identified that fire-affected peatlands may represent priority rewetting targets with reduced CH4 risk and land-use conflicts. These findings suggest that peatland rewetting should be approached more cautiously and strategically.
The PhD study was completed at the Department of Agroecology, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.
This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
Time: Friday, 22 May 2026 at 10:00
Place: 8814-3075, Foulum Auditorium, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele
Title of PhD thesis: Methane dynamics in rewetted peatlands: Temporal trajectories, biogeochemical controls, and fire-modified emission responses
Contact information: Shihao Cui, e-mail: shihaoc@agro.au.dk, tel.: +45 52229391
Members of the assessment committee:
Senior Scientist Tuula Larmola, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Finland
Professor Kuno Kasak, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
Senior Researcher Henrik Skovgård (chair), Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Shubiao Wu, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor:
Academic Employee Lorenzo Pugliese, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Agricultural Sustainability Specialist Claudia Kalla Nielsen, Arla Foods, Denmark
Professor Qing Chen, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, China Agricultural University, China
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English
The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.