Diepe Plassen project

 

In the Diepe plassen project, deep man-made lakes were sampled to determine the ecosystem services and ecosystem functions of these novel ecosystems. Using a combination of field work, diving, citizen science and GIS, 51 lakes were sampling in the Province of Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands. For more information: https://nioo.knaw.nl/nl/de-diepte.
 

MANTEL

Management of Climatic Extreme Events in Lakes & Reservoirs for the Protection of Ecosystem Services  (https://www.mantel-itn.org/). In this Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN a cohort of Early Stage Researchers investigates the effects on water quality of the  most extreme events, and of more subtle events of lower magnitude, while at the same time receiving training in state-of-the art technology, data analysis and modelling, and linking to the water management sector.
 

Marker Wadden

Marker Wadden: development of a novel ecosystem. The Marker Wadden is a newly created archipelago in Lake Markermeer aiming to strengthen and diversify the aquatic food web and serving as a paradise for water- and marsh birds. Together with colleagues from Radboud University and the University of Groningen and the NGO Natuurmonumenten, we investigate community assembly and ecosystem productivity in this novel ecosystem.

https://www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/nature-reports/message/?msg=23685

 

Plant-Soil feedbacks

On-going field experiment at the Veluwe area where we examine how plant-soil feedback effects (i.e. the effects of one plant species on another species via its influence on the soil) can be used to improve restoration of species-rich grasslands on former arable fields. We test the feedback effects of fast growing and slow growing grass and forb species, and the duration of influence of the plants on the soil (1 year vs two years of growth).  

 

Rewilding as a contemporary restoration strategy

Rewilding as a contemporary restoration strategy: Rewilding is stimulating natural processes in ecosystems. This can involve restoring former hydrological conditions or creating novel conditions that benefit ecosystems, or bringing back missing components of the landscape such as large herbivores. Rewilding aims to improve ecological quality of ecosystems, without a pre-defined outcome. We investigate the impact of rewilding on ecosystem functions and biodiversity, with an emphasis on large herbivores in grasslands and wetlands.
 

Soil transplantation

Nature restoration can be improved using by jointly managing above- and belowground communities through soil inoculation. This was show in a field experiment where the agricultural topsoil was removed (pic 1), and a thin layer of soil inoculated (pic 2). Effect on plant community after 8 years with (right) and without (left) inoculation with heathland soil. Photographs were taken in the field for two immediately adjacent treatment plots (~30m apart). Credit: 1&2, H. Veerbeek, 3, E.R.J. Wubs.

Link youtube: https://youtu.be/pGRL6cwB53A

Link soil transplantation: https://nioo.knaw.nl/en/soiltransplantation