Micro-organisms too can cooperate and rewild
©
Cees Mooij
Micro-organisms too can cooperate and rewild
From insignificant individual cells to a rich community full of cooperation. That is how our understanding of the micro world of bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms has developed over the past two decades. This “microbiome” that exists on leaves and roots, for example, and in the gut and soil, has an enormous impact on the environment. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) are looking at functions such as the “consumption” of greenhouse gases, communication through scent and assistance to endangered plants.
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News
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Long-term nest box research offers insight into trends in nature
Great tits can't complain about a lack of attention. The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has hung nearly two thousand nesting boxes throughout the Netherlands for this “model species”. For seven decades researchers have been following the ups and downs of these songbirds. This makes it the longest-running study in the world of individually recognisable animals. The family trees, caterpillar peaks and breeding successes outline the development of climate change, acid rain and adaptation to a changing world.
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Data breach discovered at the KNAW
On 24 November, the KNAW discovered a data breach caused by a phishing email. From 17 November onwards, a hacker had access to the mailbox of a KNAW employee and used that account to send phishing emails to contacts listed in it.
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Jos Raaijmakers made it again to the “Highly Cited Researchers” list
Clarivate publishes an annual list of the top 1% most cited researchers worldwide. For the eighth year in a row, NIOO researcher Jos Raaijmakers is included.
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Shining a light on nature – the importance of darkness
Since 2012, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has been conducting research into the effect of artificial light at night on our natural environment. For this research – Light on Nature – streetlights have been installed at four locations in the Veluwe and one location in Drenthe. Since then, they have been lit year-round from sunset to sunrise. Various institutes, universities and organisations are using these streetlights to measure the effects on different species groups.
