2020 |
DRYVER |
River networks are among Earth’s most threatened hot-spots of biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services (e.g. supply drinking water and food, climate... |
2019 |
Compounds of emerging concern removal by microalgae-based technologies |
The project looks at the removal of compounds of emerging concern, such as pharmaceuticals, from wastewater in a microalgae photobioreactor. We also look at... |
2018 |
Agent-based modelling of the effect of retreating sea-ice and intensifying human activities on seals in the Arctic (PCSEAL) |
In this project, agent- or individual-based models will be developed to simulate potential outcomes of these changes for walruses, bearded seals and ringed... |
2018 |
Impact of defaunation and plant invasions on ecosystem functions of seagrass beds |
Ecosystems are currently altered by human-induced changes in large herbivores and invasive species abundances. This study investigates how green sea turtles,... |
2017 |
AQUACOSM |
AQUACOSM is a network connecting aquatic mesocosms in twelve European countries: from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, across salinity boundaries and multiple... |
2017 |
Aquatic plant traits and impact of plant management and herbivores (ESF 6) |
Aquatic plants can be removed by aquatic herbivores as well as management, such as mowing. Plant species may differ in their sensitivity and tolerance to both... |
2017 |
Climate Change and Biodiversity: Science and Policy in the European Union |
Funded by the Fullbright-Shuman EU program postdoc scholar Terry-René Brown studies climated-related shifts in the incidence of cyanobacterial blooms in Dutch... |
2017 |
Extending the applicability of the water quality model for shallow lakes PCLake to lakes around the world, including deep lakes (PCLake+) |
The aim of this project is to extend the applicability of the water quality models for shallow lakes PCLake to lakes around the world, including deep lakes. |
2017 |
Feeding the ducks: Effects on ecological water quality |
Feeding waterfowl and fish is a common practice in urban water systems. However, this also adds nutrients and attracts more birds to the water, leading to... |
2017 |
Identifying ecological tradeoffs in freshwater phytoplankton in response to warming, nutrient addition, and grazing |
Impact of warming, grazing and nutrient availability on trade-offs in phytoplankton communities. |
2017 |
Impact of large grazers on plant quality and abundance of arthropods |
Large grazers affect the quality of grassland vegetation for smaller herbivores such as arthropods. Also atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and phosphorus (P... |
2017 |
Impact of large herbivores on grassland ecosystems across the globe |
Vertebrate herbivores are key drivers of species composition and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial and wetland ecosystems worldwide. Currently, communities... |
2017 |
Linking ESFs |
In Linking ESFs we build Bayesian belief networks of causal relationships between a range of ecological drivers and aquatic ecosystem response. We work... |
2017 |
LOcal Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse (LOTUS-HR) |
LOTUSHR will demonstrate a novel holistic (waste-)water management approach for the recovery of water, energy and nutrients from urban wastewater. The required... |
2017 |
MANTEL |
MANTEL is a multi-country European project focused on the observation and analysis of extreme climatic events. The aim of the MANTEL project is to assess how... |
2017 |
Nature in production: development of the novel ecosystem Marker Wadden |
To improve the ecological quality of Lake Markermeer, a new archipelago is built, the Marker Wadden. We investigate food web assembly in this novel ecosystem,... |
2017 |
Normativities of wastewater treatment: Putting micro-algae to work in Ecovillage Boekel |
The project combines three lines of research to develop a water saving system that recovers nutrients and microelements while removing micro-pollutants and... |
2017 |
Nutrient recycling by plants and animals: consequences for ecological restoration |
Animals recycle nutrients by consumption and subsequent egestion and excretion and by sediment disturbance. In this project, we test whether benthic animals... |
2017 |
Setting up a novel, long-term NIOO research line on vertebrate grazing in a globally distributed experimental network |
Vertebrate herbivores have strong effects on the biodiversity, structure and functioning of grasslands. With this project we build a field site according to... |
2017 |
System diagnosis of Lake de Kurenpolder |
The ecosystem services (recreation) of this deep lake have been compromised by cyanobacterial blooms. Using a combination of fieldwork, modelling and... |
2017 |
System diagnosis of lake Put bij de Omloop |
The ecosystem services (recreation) of this deep lake have been compromised by cyanobacterial blooms. Using a combination of fieldwork, modelling and... |
2017 |
The impact of seed-dispersal by animals on plant distributions: an experimental and modelling approach |
Animals affect plant distributions by internal transport of seeds (endozoochory). However, quantifying seed survival after animal consumption requires animal... |
2017 |
The impact of temperature rise on silica content of aquatic plants and their decomposition |
Aquatic plants contain silica, which can reduce plant palatability to herbivores and plant decomposition. However, it is unclear how temperature rise affects... |
2017 |
The zooplankton-microbiome: beyond microbe-host associations (MicroZoo) |
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2017 |
What prevents macrophytes (re-) growth in brackish waters in Goeree-Overflakkee? |
Ditches and lakes on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee located in the southwestern parts of the Netherlands currently have little to no macrophyte growth... |
2016 |
Collaboration water boards, consultancies and knowlegde institutes on ecological water quality modelling (PCSAMEN) |
Water quality models play an increasing role in day-to-day water quality management. At the same time, new scientific insights and technological progress drive... |
2016 |
Daphnia-parasite interactions on ecosystem level: is there a scope for eco-coevolutionary dynamics? (G060216N) |
This project studies the role of host-parasite coevolution as an important evolutionary process underlying eco-evolutionary dynamics, i.e. ‘eco-coevolutionary... |
2016 |
Ecologische verduurzaming van agrarische landschappen: naar een wetenschappelijk gefundeerde beheersvisie voor Polder Oukoop |
Water quality in a polder ditch network is not only governed by total nutrient input but also by the spatial variation of this input and the peculiar pattern... |
2016 |
Ensemble modelling of algal blooms in polluted lakes with process-based water quality models (PCBLOOM) |
The excessive growth of cyanobacteria in surface waters around the world poses a threat to public health and can lead to high societal costs. The mechanisms... |
2016 |
Entangled enemies: Parasites caught in the food web |
Parasites are exceedingly common in nature, but they are rarely included in food-web research. We study how parasites influence competition between free-living... |
2016 |
ESF4 Habitat structure |
Together with consultancies Tauw and Witteveen + Bos, AKWA develops a quick scan for water managers, to gain a first understanding of the potential impact of... |
2016 |
Exploring, exploiting and evolving the GBIF reviewExploring, exploiting and evolving the potential of GBIF for biodiversity studies (GIBF review) |
The aim of this project is to study how the the Global Biodiversity Facility (GBIF) can be used more effectively in scientific research. |
2015 |
Agent-based modelling of the spatial dynamics of Maui-dolphin (PCDOLPHIN) |
With a total population size below 70 individuals, the Maui dolphins are ranked as critically endangered. To avoid further collapse, commercial fishery... |
2015 |
Biotic resistance to invasions of aquatic plants |
Invasive plants are threatening the diversity and abundance of native species in aquatic ecosystems. Native plants and animals can provide biotic resistance to... |
2015 |
Ecological stoichiometry of rotifers |
Phosphorus limitation strongly affects the somatic growth rate, reproduction and survival of consumers. P-limitation may affect zooplankton consumers not only... |
2015 |
European Multilake Survey |
Increased nutrient pollution and global warming may further promote harmful algal and cyanobacterial blooms, adding urgency for scientists and lake managers to... |
2015 |
Harmful algal blooms under multiple stressors: consequences for traits, timing and toxicity |
Studying the impacts of elevated pCO2, warming and N limitation on marine dinoflagellates. |
2015 |
Rapid rotifer adaptation – an investigation into the adaptive potential of asexual lineages |
The capacity of populations to adapt rapidly to a changing environment can strongly contribute to the persistence of populations, the maintenance of... |
2015 |
Regulation of secondary metabolites across ecosystems: Stoichiometric constraints on communication and defense? |
Testing how secondary metabolites are stoichiometrically regulated across systems. |
2015 |
System diagnosis of Lake Wylenbergmeer |
The ecosystem services (recreation) of this shallow lake have been compromised by cyanobacterial blooms. Using a combination of fieldwork and experimentation,... |
2015 |
The cryptic species complex of Brachionus calyciflorus |
Although the monogonont rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus has been the most widely studied freshwater rotifer species it has only recently been characterized as... |
2015 |
Water quality of urban ponds in the province of Noord-Brabant |
Using a multivariate statistical modelling approach based on Legendre et al, 2010, AKWA analyzed time-series data of 25 urban point to detect relationships... |
2014 |
Combined effect of elevated pCO2 and nitrogen limitation on the marine coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. |
Chemostat experiments on the impact of elevated pCO2 and N limitation on the calcareous alga Emiliania huxleyi. |
2014 |
Disentangling the impact of increased nutrient loading and changed hydrology on the water quality of lake Chaohu, China (PCChao) |
Over the past decades, Lake Chao, a large shallow lake in China, has been heavily loaded with nutrients. At the same time, the hydrology of the lake has been... |
2014 |
Ecosystem services of man-made lakes (DESAPIT) |
Man-made lakes are lake ecosystems created by sand mining activities. With an extensive sampling campaign we want to assess the ecosystems service these... |
2014 |
Impact of climate warming on trophic interactions in aquatic food webs (Hotwebs) |
Temperature rise can affect the strength of plant-herbivore interactions. This project tests whether ectotherm omnivorous animals may not just eat more, but... |
2014 |
Macrophyte colonization: constraints and windows of opportunity |
With improved water quality through reductions in nutrient loading, water transparency increases and submerged vegetation can develop. However, recently, the... |
2014 |
Mitigating the impact of flooding along rivers: grazing for biodiversity and safety (Rivier) |
With ongoing climate change, rivers are predicted to discharge large quantities of water in a short time (flood pulses) more often. Flood plains should... |
2014 |
Mitigation of toxic dinoflagellates in the Dutch Delta |
In recent years, the incidence of blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii has been increasing in the Dutch Delta. These blooms pose a health... |
2014 |
Rapid evolution in rotifers under conditions of stoichiometric imbalance |
Environmental change may drive rapid genetic adaptation in consumer populations. Such rapid evolution may in turn have important consequences for ecological... |
2014 |
Recovering nutrients and carbon from concentrated black water - a sustainable decentralized approach for wastewater treatment |
Compare two decentralised sanitation treatment systems for concentrated wastewaters with microalgae tecnology. Pilot-scale testing of tubular PBRs in The... |
2014 |
Rehabilitation of Lake Boyuk Shor, Azerbeijan |
Boyuk Shor is the second largest lake of Azerbeijan. It is an endorheic brackish lake. Its water quality is heavily compromised by the discharge of oil waste... |
2014 |
Resources and biotic interactions in a metacommunity context |
Meta-ecosystem ecology is a recent discipline that attempts to integrate the study of the consequences of organism exchange among communities (cf... |
2014 |
The impact of climate change on toxic cyanobacterial communities |
Effects of elevated pCO2 and N limitation on the harmful cyanobacterium Microcystis. |
2014 |
The role of pathogens in structuring phytoplankton communities (PHYTOPATHO) |
Impact of warming and nutrient availability on chytrid infection dynamics. |
2013 |
Bottom-up and top-down control of terrestrialisation and biodiversity in fens (Verlanding) |
Wetlands harbor high biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services, including nutrient retention and carbon sequestration. However, many wetlands are... |
2013 |
Carbon retention in freshwater lakes (CARBRET) |
Freshwater bodies can contribute to carbon retention. In this project, we test the contribution of different types of primary producers, phytoplankton and... |
2013 |
Empirical studies on the impact of fish aggregation device (FAD) utilization on Tuna Fisheries in the Phillipines and Indonesia (BESTTUNA) |
Fish aggregation devices (FADs) are extensively used in tuna fisheries in the Philippines and Indonesia. FADs increase the efficiency of fishing activities and... |
2013 |
Impact of Ocean Acidification on the phytoplankton community in North Sea coastal waters |
Large outdoor mesocosm experiment testing the impact of ocean acidification on natural North Sea phytoplankton communities. |
2013 |
NETLAKE |
NETLAKE (Networking Lake Observatories in Europe) is an EU COST Action (ES 1201) that aims to build a network of sites and individuals to support the... |
2013 |
NETLAKE Citizen Science |
NETLAKE Citizen Science is part of Networking Lake Observatories in Europe (NETLAKE) EU COST Action (ES 1201). The NETLAKE Citizen Science water quality survey... |
2013 |
Spring Blitz |
The Spring Blitz is a coordinated effort from researchers around the world to link changes in water stability during the onset of stratification to plankton... |
2013 |
Steering for structure |
Heterogeneity in habitat structure is hypothesized to have a great impact on the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of ditch systems. The construction of... |
2013 |
System diagnosis of lakes Lammetjeswiel and Slingeland |
The ecosystem services (recreation) of these lakes have been compromised by cyanobacterial blooms. Using a combination of fieldwork and experimentation AKWA... |
2012 |
Development of effective strategies for the conservation and development of landscape wide aquatic biodiversity in agricultural areas |
In nature conservation, focus should be directed towards regional rather than local biodiversity. Regional diversity is governed by entirely different... |
2012 |
Eco-engineering: testing conditions for marsh development (MarkerMeerMoeras) |
Freshwater marshes contain high biodiversity and provide crucial ecosystem services, including shoreline protection and nutrient retention. Therefore, marsh... |
2012 |
Ecosystem functions of invasive aquatic plants (Invasives) |
Submerged macrophytes have positive effects on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Exotic macrophytes are undesired and removed. The aim of this... |
2012 |
Genomic approach to study induced defenses in cyanobacteria |
An expression library of the toxic cyanobacterium is assembled. Microcystis is exposed to both abiotic (N, P, light, temperature) and biotic (competition,... |
2012 |
Good tidings for red tides: Responses of toxic and calcareous dinoflagellates to Global Change |
Combined effect of elevated pCO2 and N limitation on toxic and calcareous dinoflagellates. |
2012 |
Identifying critical nutrient loadings for lake Taihu, China (PCChina) |
Over the past decades, Lake Taihu, a large shallow lake in China, has been heavily loaded with nutrients. This has resulted in a loss of most of the submerged... |
2012 |
Nuisance plant growth: causes, consequences and opportunities (Macromanage) |
Aquatic plants can become super abundant and cause nuisance for human use. In this project, we investigate the causes of nuisance growth and how aquatic plants... |
2012 |
Spatial and environmental determinants of Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics: anthropogenic environments as a model (SPEEDY) |
Organisms haven been shown to show rapid microevolutionary responses to environmental change and habitat fragmentation related to urbanization. Through a... |
2011 |
Double Trouble: Consequences of Ocean Acidification – Past, Present and Future – The dinoflagellates component |
Impact of elevated pCO2 on 13C fractionation in marine dinoflagellates. |
2011 |
Improving the water quality models for shallow lakes PCLake and for linear waters PCDitch (PCStowa) |
PCLake is a dynamical food web model for shallow lakes. It has been developed to study the impact of eutrophication. The model shows alternative stable states... |
2011 |
Recycling black water nutrients by algae-based photobiodegradation (Algobioloop) |
Implementation of a UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor for pre-treating the source separated black water (BW) of the NIOO building. Assess the... |
2009 |
Early warning against scums |
Empirical data for the EWACS model are collected in NIOO’s Limnotrons under various mixing regimes. EWACS (Early Warning Against Cyano Scums) predicts the... |
2009 |
Filter feeders Under Stress in changing lake ecosystems and its impact on higher Trophic levels in lakes Marker and IJsselmeer, The Netherlands |
In this project the food web of lakes Ijssel- and Markermeer are subject of study. Changes in the food web have led to a dramatic decline of many of the bird... |
2009 |
Maintenance and development of PCLake, a process-based water quality model for lakes (PCLAKE) |
PCLake is a dynamical food web model for shallow lakes. It has been developed to study the impact of eutrophication. The model shows alternative stable states... |
2009 |
Restoration of lake Terra Nova by Iron Addition (Terra) |
In this project restoration of the lake Terra Nova through the addition of large amounts of iron (to bind phosphorous) is being studied. Consequences of iron... |
2006 |
Effects of fish culture management on the composition and diversity of aquatic biota in ponds |
In ponds, the interests of fish farmers and nature conservationists often seem opposite. This project searches for ways to reconciliate both parties. This... |
1996 |
Collaboration with the University of Miami on modelling of consumer-resource interactions (EVERGLADES). |
Theory on consumer-resource interactions is captured in simple sets of differential equations of predators and prey, sets of competing species or small... |