Research stations and infrastructures

The University of Helsinki’s network of research stations offers an excellent setting for fieldwork and teaching. The stations collect long-term measurement data that are used to study changes in the environment. Research infrastructures are a prerequisite for conducting research. They support organised research and doctoral education, as well as maintain and develop the capacity for research.
Hyytiälä Forest Station

Hyytiälä hosts top-level research and teaching in forestry and forest habitats, as well as the internationally well-known SMEAR station for atmospheric research. 

The Living Lab, which started operating in a new building completed in 2023, enables multidisciplinary research and teaching related to the effects of the built environment on sustainability, the climate and wellbeing. 

The geographically central location of the station makes it possible to conduct research all year round. Researchers from various universities and organisations in Finland and abroad are welcome to conduct research at our station.

Viikki Research Farm

Viikki Research Farm is mainly used for the research and education needs of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Helsinki. The farm comprises 155 hectares of arable land, a cattle shed and 70 dairy cows. The arable land and farm animals are used in agricultural research.

The topics of research include climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from food production and the intensification of carbon sequestration.

The SMEAR-Agri measuring stations in Viikki and Haltiala consist of two cultivated field sites in Helsinki, which are used to investigate the impact of agricultural land use on the climate and waterways through continuous year-round measurements.

Muddusjärvi Research Station

Research carried out at Muddusjärvi Research Station focuses on the environment and agriculture of northern Lapland. The station, maintained by the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, is administratively part of Viikki Research Farm.

The station offers 13 hectares of fields, 700 hectares of forest land and a 1,000-hectare body of water for research use. Muddusjärvi is located between the northern timberlines of spruce and pine. The subarctic timberline of birch, giving way to the treeless fell top, also runs nearby.

Muddusjärvi Research Station is one of the world’s northernmost locations for agricultural research. It is located in the village of Kaamanen, in Inari, way up in northern Lapland.

Viikki research greenhouses and research infrastructure NaPPI

The research greenhouses and protected research field in Viikki enable diverse and high-quality research and teaching. The facilities comprise a total of 2,400 square metres of greenhouse space as well as three hectares of fenced arable land for teaching and research. 
The greenhouses also include the imaging facilities of the NaPPI research infrastru cture, as well as growing rooms and chambers. While the plant cultivation infrastructure is primarily used by the University of Helsinki, external parties can also carry out research projects in the facilities. 
 

FOODNUTRI – Climate smart food and nutrition

The FOODNUTRI research infrastructure will contribute to the implementation of the EU’s Food 2030 policy, taking into account the Finnish government’s vision: “In 2030, Finnish consumers eat tasty, healthy and safe Finnish food that has been produced sustainably and ethically. Consumers have the ability and possibility to make informed choices". FOODNUTRI will serve researchers, business operators, authorities, healthcare professionals, farmers, and other stakeholders.

Viikin arboretum

Viikki Arboretum serves as a learning environment, offering opportunities for research, as well as an outdoor and recreational area.

The plant collections of Viikki Arboretum represent a range of indigenous and exotic trees, shrubs and woody vines from more than 250 taxa. The plant collections can be divided into three entities: geobotanical collections, taxonomic collections and natural areas.

The plant material in the arboretum was primarily obtained from Arboretum Mustila, the botanic gardens of the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Forestry Research Institute.