Tutkimuksen ja opetuksen kuvaus

I am a lichenologist with a background on molecular systematics and taxonomy. After my PhD in 2018, I embarked also broader evolutionary and environmental research questions. Although I work with all lichens, I am specialized in crustose species that are the largest entity of lichens but also the most poorly known. I have been trained by some of the leading species experts in the UK and North America, and perhaps most importantly, by the research programme on Deficiently known and threatened species (PUTTE) that employed me for over 7 years (2010-2017).

Broadly speaking, I and my research group study lichen species, speciation and biodiversity loss. We use multi-loci sequence data and metabarcoding, as well as morphological and ecological data including remote sensing. I am also trained and networked in genomics and metagenomics.

One of our main ongoing studies is about how climate change and snow depth affect subarctic lichen species – this study is at the center of two major crisis, the climate change and biodiversity loss. Another study line is about how intrinsic and extrinsic features affect lichen speciation on a global scale.

I also collaborate in multiple research projects including: i) biodiversity monitoring on dead wood using metabarcoding (DeadMon), ii) citizen science that inspires people to observe (lichen) species and develops The Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF, www.laji.fi), iii) species research and identification teaching in the Nordic countries (ForestFun).

I teach at university-level and have completed pedagogical studies focusing on higher education. I emphasize student-focused strategies, and support deep learning, social learning and motivation. I was granted the title of docent from the University of Turku in 2023. 

Natural history collections have been at the heart of my work for nearly 20 years. I am one of the developers and caretakers of the lichen garden collections at the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden. I have also taken part in databasing and preparing museum specimens. I have collected specimens from several areas in the world including Europe, North America and Africa, and I have made research visits to herbaria and universities in Europe and Africa, the longest time – over 8 months – spent in Uppsala (UPS), Frankfurt (FR) and Edinburgh (RBGE).

Popularizing science is close to my heart, especially when raising awareness on topics such as biodiversity loss. I engage with the public personally and via institutional levels (Luomus and Vanamo). I took part in Suomen Luonto #Muutos-magazine journalist training for scientists in 2019. I have given interviews on several news papers, radio and TV. 

I have positions of trust as a member of the Finnish Red List committee for lichens (IUCN) and Finnish Nomenclature committee for lichens. I am the chair for the Finnish Biological Society Vanamo. I am also a board member of the Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, the Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board SEKJ, and the editorial board of Luonnon Tutkija.

I changed my family name from Launis to Kantelinen in 2020.

Why study lichens?

Lichens are successful symbiotic organisms that have adapted to extremely wide range of ecological niches and conditions. They occur in most terrestrial ecosystems. Lichens are composed of a fungus (=mycobiont), one or more photosynthetic partners (=photobionts, typically algae or cyanobacteria) and other microbial species. With ca. 20,000 known species globally, lichens comprise one fifth of all described fungi on Earth and approximately fourth of all Ascomycetes.

Scientifically new lichen species are found regularly, also from Finland. However, despite increasing knowledge on lichen diversity, their evolution and speciation is still poorly known offering intriguing research questions.

Lichens are also environmental indicators. Many are sensitive to air pollution and environmental changes and have specialized niche requirements. We humans impact lichens in various ways and many lichens have become endangered — currently every fifth lichen species is Red Listed in Finland, and they are thirth-most threatened organism group in the country.