Carl-Adam (Aba) Hæggström in memoriam

Carl-Adam (Aba) Hæggström, Professor Emeritus of Botany, was born on 2 July 1941 and passed away on 29 May 2025 at the age of 83. A leading expert on wooded meadows and cultural landscapes, he began his scientific career with field studies in 1964. In 1983, he defended his doctoral thesis on vegetation and soil in the wooded meadows of Nåtö, Åland. His professional path at the University of Helsinki included roles as assistant, docent (1989), acting professor (1994–1998), and full professor (1998–2005).Together with his wife Eeva, Aba published Ålands flora, presenting over 1,400 species. He authored around 280 scientific and popular science articles. His best-known popular science book, Toukohärkä ja kultasiipi, explored meadow management and earned the state award for science communication. Aba was involved in several scientific societies. He chaired Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica from 1998 to 2015, becoming honorary chairman in 2021. He was the secretary of Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation for a total of 44 years (1972–2016) and was elected to the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters in 2001.Between 1968 and 2005 Aba taught at the University of Helsinki across a wide range of subjects: ecology, environmental biology, plant geography, morphology, systematics, and species identification. He led numerous field courses and excursions in Finland and abroad. Aba was an exceptionally good teacher and storyteller. He was friendly and approachable, which made it easy for students to contact him. Aba’s teaching was characterised by liveliness and commitment. His extraordinary memory for details and profound knowledge of species were impressive. He supervised many master’s and doctoral theses, leaving a lasting mark on generations of students. Aba remained active in research and publishing until his sudden passing in May 2025. His death marks the loss of an outstanding researcher and a gifted, inspiring teacher.