Maija Toivanen

PhD (geography), MA (science communication)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Physical geography, geodiversity, science communication

Geography
Faculty of Science

I work as a postdoctoral researcher in the Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience research programme within the Geography Research Unit. My research focuses on geodiversity—the diversity of abiotic nature—and its connections to biodiversity. I am particularly interested in how geodiversity can be applied in biodiversity research and conservation efforts. My doctoral research centered on the quantitative assessment of geodiversity, emphasizing the use of spatial data to analyze and measure it. Currently, I am studying the connections between geodiversity and socio-ecological resilience.

In addition to my research activities, I teach GIS (Geographic Information Systems) methods.

From 2020 to 2021, I worked on the GlobalFood project, funded by the Kone Foundation, where we explored global food accessibility using modern spatial analysis techniques.

In 2023, I earned a Master of Arts degree in science communication. My thesis examined how researchers popularize their own science and what kind of popularization strategies they use in written text.

Research interests

geodiversity
biodiversity
nature conservation
geographic information systems
biogeography
freshwater ecology

Researcher information

Research groups

Toivanen, M. (2024). Quantitative geodiversity assessment in biodiversity investigations. Nordia Geographical Publications 53(2). Väitöskirja. Maantiede, Oulun yliopisto. [linkki]
Maliniemi, T., Tukiainen, H. Hjort, J., Toivanen, M. … Alahuhta, J. (2024). Too much diversity—Multiple definitions of geodiversity hinder its potential in biodiversity research. Diversity and Distributions 30: e13843. [linkki]
Toivanen M., … Tukiainen H. (2024). Geodiversity data for Europe. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: 38220230173. [linkki]
Heino, J., Toivanen, M. & Alahuhta, J. (2023). Deciphering land‐use influences on boreal lakes to guide landscape planning. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 4(2): e12242. [link]
Tukiainen, H., Toivanen, M. & Maliniemi, T. (2022). Geodiversity and biodiversity. Special Publications 530: 31–47. Geological Society, London. [link]
Tukiainen, H., Maliniemi, M., Alahuhta, J., Hjort, J., Lindholm, M., Salminen, H., Snåre, H., Toivanen, M., Vilmi, A. & Heino, J. (2022). Quantifying alpha, beta and gamma geodiversity. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. [link]
Vieira, D.S., García-Girón, J., Heino, J., Toivanen, M., Helm, A. & Alahuhta, J. (2021). Little evidence of range size conservatism in freshwater plants. Journal of Biogeography 48(5): 1200-1212. [link]
Alahuhta, J., Lindholm, M., Baastrup-Spohr, L., García-Girón, J., Toivanen, M., Heino, J. & Murphy, K. (2021). Macroecology of plants in the freshwater realm: patterns, mechanisms and implications. Aquatic Botany 168: 103325. [link]
Alahuhta, J., Toivanen, M. & Hjort, J. (2020). Geodiversity–biodiversity relationship needs more empirical evidence. Nature Ecology & Evolution 4: 2-3. [link]
Toivanen, M., Hjort, J., Heino, J., Tukiainen, H., Aroviita, J. & Alahuhta, J. (2019). Is catchment geodiversity a useful surrogate of aquatic plant species richness? Journal of Biogeography 46: 1711-1722. [link]
Alahuhta, J., Toivanen, M., Hjort, J., Ecke, F., Johnson, L.B., Sass, L. & Heino, J. (2017). Species richness and taxonomic distinctness of lake macrophytes along environmental gradients in two continents. Freshwater Biology 62: 1194-1206. [link]

Other publications

Toivanen, M. (2024). Collaborative writing increases academic community and well-being. Alue ja Ympäristö 53(1). (In Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2024). Where, when, and how do you popularize your own research – and could you do it better? Versuslehti 26.2.2024. (In Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2023). Strategies forpopularizing science in researcher-written texts: Towards more diverse and impactful science communication. Pro gradu -tutkielma. Tiedeviestintä, Oulun yliopisto. (In Finnish) [link]
Kotilainen, J., Tukiainen, H. & Toivanen, M. (2023). Towards calculating the nature footprint of the University of Oulu. Oulun yliopiston hiilijalanjälkityöryhmä. (Unpublished report, in Finnish)
Kettunen, M. & Toivanen, M. (2022). Making ceography known together – The Leiviskä Medal in recognition of collaboration and impact. Alue ja Ympäristö 51(2). (In Finnish) [link]
Tukiainen, H., Toivanen, M. & Lehtonen, E. (2022). Geodiversity – the diversity of abiotic nature. Geologi 1/2022: 20–27. (In Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2021). Dangerous stereotypes of conservationists. Kaleva 21.11.2021. (Column, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2021). Do you enjoy your daily dose of nature with your senses or from a jar? Kaleva 19.09.2021. (Column, in Finnish) [linkki]
Toivanen, M. & Tukiainen, H. (2021). On the road to International Geodiversity Day. Versus 14.6.2021. (Viewpoint, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2021). Geoparks showcase geodiversity – the abiotic nature. Kaleva 16.05.2021. (Column, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2020). Protected areas for nature and people. Kaleva 14.03.2021. (Column, in Finnish) [link]
Tukiainen, H. & Toivanen, M. (2021). Non-living nature is diverse, too. Suomen kuvalehti 2: 58. (Commentary, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2020). Saariselkä peaks are important for nature research. Saariselän Sanomat 16.08.2020. (News, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2020). Landscapes matters to people and nature. Kaleva 16.04.2020. (Column, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2019). Geodiversity as the stage of nature. Versus 17.1.2019, 1-4. (Viewpoint, in Finnish) [link]
Toivanen, M. (2019). Maija Toivanen’s letter to Alexander von Humboldt: “In your footsteps”. Science with Arctic Attitude blog 19.11.2019. [link]
Toivanen, M. (2019). What does a nature researcher think about while in nature? Maj & Tor Nesslingin Säätiön blogi 11.08.2019. (Blog post, in Finnish) [link]

Contact information

E-mail

maija.toivanen@oulu.fi

Visiting address

Pentti Kaiteran katu 1
Linnanmaa
90014 Oulu

Postal address

P.O. Box 3000
FI-90014 University of Oulu
Finland

Keywords

Natural Sciences, Environment geography geoinformation systems (gis) Northern environment, environmental change ecology of changes in climate and environment geodiversity science communication

Maija Toivanen

Research interests

Researcher information

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Researcher profiles

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Scientific merits

Scientific publications

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