Majority of the world's most abundant creatures live in the far north
The first worldwide analysis of soil nematodes reveals that they are most abundant in arctic areas rather than in the tropics. The study was started by researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), and uses data from a global network of soil ecologists. They explain in the...(read more)
Published 24-07-2019
NWO Veni grants awarded to three (former) NIOO researchers
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded Veni grants of up to 250,000 euros each to 166 promising young scientists. Three of the laureates and their research have strong links to NIOO: Barbara Tomotani, Annette Janssen and Lysanne Snijders. The annual grants are part of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme here in the Netherlands. They allow researchers who have recently obtained their...(read more)
17-07-2019
17-07-2019
Not all lakes are alike: spatial differences key to successful restoration
Degradation of lakes is a worldwide problem, with symptoms including toxic algae blooms. Restoration is possible, but takes a lot of time and effort. To determine what approach is most effective, spatial differences between lakes must be considered, argues a NIOO-led team of researchers in Science...(read more)
Published 16-07-2019
Concern over 'red tide' in Dutch coastal waters
Climate change could lead to an increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms in Dutch coastal waters in the future. NIOO-researchers Karen Brandenburg and Dedmer van de Waal have been studying the dense blooms formed by tiny organisms known as dinoflagellates. They warn that without timely...(read more)
Published 01-07-2019
10 million euros in funding for Dutch One Health research into vector-borne diseases
How can the Netherlands be better prepared for infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes? Over the next five years, research into this question will be carried out within the Netherlands Centre for One Health with funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), supplemented by seven public organisations. The multidisciplinatry character of the collaboration is unique...(read more)
12-06-2019
12-06-2019
World Biodiversity Day: close to home
It's World Biodiversity Day. Attempts to put biodiversity on the social and political agenda here in the Netherlands enter a new phase today, with a meeting of the Delta Plan for Biodiversity Recovery where interested parties can ask questions and share inspiration. Flowers, frogs, birds, bees: around the uniquely sustainable NIOO-building there is plenty of biodiversity on show. The same cannot...(read more)
22-05-2019
22-05-2019
Urgenda Foundation visits NIOO for launch of green roofs measure
A delegation from the Dutch Urgenda Foundation, which aims to speed up the transition towards a sustainable society, visited NIOO on Friday. The visit marked the launch of a new measure promoting green roofs, as well as NIOO director Louise Vet's appointment as chair of the Urgenda board. The green roofs measure is part of a broader package aimed at reaching out to the Dutch government, in order...(read more)
10-05-2019
10-05-2019
Biodiversity loss report: Dutch 'Delta Plan' suggests way forward
A new report on biodiversity loss is as alarming as it is comprehensive. But it also says the tide can still be turned, and a recent plan launched in the Netherlands shows what the way forward could look like.(read more)
06-05-2019
06-05-2019
Geert de Snoo appointed NIOO director
Geert de Snoo is the new director of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). He will take over on 1 November from Louise Vet, who - after a twenty-year tenure as NIOO director - intends to devote herself to the broader importance of ecology to society. Geert de Snoo is currently Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor of Conservation Biology at Leiden University. His research and...(read more)
04-04-2019
04-04-2019
Caterpillars retrieve 'voicemail' by eating soil
Leaf-feeding caterpillars greatly enrich their intestinal flora by eating soil. It's even possible to trace the legacy effects of plants that previously grew in that soil through bacteria and fungi in the caterpillars. Researchers of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) have just...(read more)
Published 19-03-2019
Delta Plan for Biodiversity Recovery: working together for a richer Netherlands
Parties in the Netherlands are being invited to join the 'Delta Plan for Biodiversity Recovery'. The plan, aimed at restoring the variety of species, ecosystems and landscapes needed for a rich nature, was launched in The Hague late last year and was recently endorsed by Minister Carola Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The launch of the Delta Plan in The Hague The rapid decline...(read more)
27-02-2019
27-02-2019
Climate change and polar bear blogs revisited: the importance of scientists speaking out
A paper by NIOO researcher Jeff Harvey on the fate of polar bears and its coverage by internet blogs has been widely read and cited by social and other media - including Newsweek and The New York Times - since coming out just over a year ago. But Harvey has also had to fend off some personal attacks from deniers of climate change. “Doom scenarios can be put on ice”, said a recent headline in...(read more)
30-01-2019
30-01-2019
Extreme weather of 2018 challenged ecologists "to think along broader lines"
The long, hot summer of 2018 goes down in Dutch history as the warmest in three centuries. But how long will its record stand? NIOO researchers Dedmer van de Waal, Annelein Meisner and Wietse de Boer are preparing for new challenges ahead. Dedmer van de Waal (NIOO-KNAW) Even before the summer started breaking weather records, aquatic ecologist Dedmer van de Waal was aware that something was out...(read more)
03-01-2019
03-01-2019
'Huge' mandate for worldwide soil biodiversity analysis
Biodiversity is under pressure throughout the world, but how much do we know about the worldwide state of that most vital of resources: the soil?(read more)
03-12-2018
03-12-2018
A matter of ratio(s): how to relate to the elements in your life
It's elementary, my dear Watson! All life on earth is composed of the same, vital elements. Carbon (abbreviated as capital C) is crucial for our energy supply in the form of carbs, fats and sugars. Nitrogen (N) is an important part of proteins, the 'workhorse' molecules of life. And phosphorus (P) is a component of DNA as well as a key to the growth and repair of tissue, including our bones...(read more)
19-11-2018
19-11-2018
Soil Animal Days 2018: Woodlice back on top, slugs deterred by drought
The 4th edition of the Dutch Soil Animal Days saw 856 'citizen scientists' comb through more than 200 gardens and parks to find some 7500 soil creatures. Findings that stand out after this year's long, dry summer: woodlice have regained their ubiquitous status, while slugs were spotted in fewer...(read more)
Published 08-11-2018
"Rewilding landscapes can help to solve more than one problem"
Urbanisation, biodiversity loss, climate change: just some of the worldwide problems 'rewilding' - i.e. restoring food chains by returning 'missing' species to the landscape - can help tackle. Researcher Liesbeth Bakker (NIOO-KNAW) has edited a theme issue of the world's oldest life sciences...(read more)
Published 23-10-2018
'Biodiversity warrior' Louise Vet tops Dutch sustainability list
NIOO-KNAW director Louise Vet is the new number 1 in the Sustainable 100, the annual list of the Netherlands' "greenest thinkers and doers" published by the national newspaper Trouw . According to the jury, Vet is both: a scientific thinker about the decline of biodiversity, but also someone who takes action in the form of the ambitious Master Plan for Recovering Biodiversity . The many recent...(read more)
11-10-2018
11-10-2018
Project HEATSTORE: European boost to energy transition
With the commencement of the European HEATSTORE project to the tune of €16 million, six demonstration projects in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland aim to get technologies for the seasonal underground storage of heat transferred to industry and on to market. One of the Dutch 'showcases' for the project is NIOO-KNAW in Wageningen. The heating and cooling sector is vitally...(read more)
04-10-2018
04-10-2018
Festival season for NIOO
NIOO is a regular visitor at festivals, with festival stands explaining our research and demonstrating the necessity of ecological knowledge in a fun way. Earlier this month, we were present at not one but two popular events: the World Port Days 2018 and Wageningen UR's WUR100 centenary festival...(read more)
Published 18-09-2018
