Research Themes

In the quest to gain a better understanding of ecosystems, ecologists must work in teams alongside other ecologists as well as chemists, geologists, physicists, mathematicians, and molecular biologists. To strengthen the interaction, we have identified seven NIOO-wide themes. These are not just hot topics in ecology, but also themes in which we can make the difference.

NIOO aims to play an internationally leading and nationally connecting role within these themes by 2020. Of course there will still be room for ‘blue sky research’ as well. We have identified the following seven research themes:

Chemical communication

Infochemicals are the world's most widespread communication medium. How does the exchange of chemical information shape biotic interactions and evolution of species in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems?
 

Disease ecology

Disease ecology explores the dynamics and evolution of diseases (e.g. viral, bacterial, fungal) in
natural and managed ecosystems.
 

Eco-evolutionary dynamics

A key challenge for NIOO is to study the role of evolution for ecological interactions and processes, in order to better understand how these processes may influence the capacity of species to respond to changes in their (a)biotic environments.
 

Ecological epigenetics

Epigenetics may enable rapid environmental responses and generate heritable variation, and is therefore particularly relevant for understanding species’ climate change adaptations and potentially for improvement of low-diversity crops.
 

Global environmental change

All biomes of the world are increasingly influenced by global environmental changes. Our research enhances understanding on how global changes influence ecological interactions.
 

Microbiomes

Important challenges are to unravel the processes and mechanisms involved in microbiome diversity and assembly and to elucidate the impact of microbiomes on the functioning of their hosts.
 

Restoration ecology

Many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide have been disturbed by local and global environmental changes. The proliferation of exotics is much more symptom than cause of disruption.