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Spiders and earthworms overtake woodlice in Dutch gardens
Woodlice have for the first time been dethroned as the most spotted soil animals in Dutch gardens. The third edition of the nationwide Soil Animal Days saw arachnoids seize the top spot, with earthworms a close second. A probable explanation for the shift is the extremely wet weather at the onset of autumn. Fortunately, that didn't stop some 600 enthousiasts from counting the soil animals in their gardens. -
Sniffing out your dinner in the dark: how miniature predators get their favourite soil bacteria
Tiny predators in the soil can literally sniff out their prey: soil bacteria, which communicate with each other using scent. A team of researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has discovered that these predators - called protists - 'eavesdrop' on the bacteria's communication. It's a discovery that opens up perspectives for agriculture. The results are available online this month in The ISME Journal, from the publishers of Nature. -
Dig in with us on Soil Animal Day!
What soil creatures are living right under our feet? Find out in your own backyard on 4 October - or in your local park, on your green roof or even your balcony (!) - as the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) organises the first-ever 'Soil Animal Day', together with the Centre for Soil Ecology (CSE). -
NIOO brings soil animals and migrating birds to sold-out science festival
The sold-out science festival for children 'Expeditie NEXT' took over the historic Dutch city of Franeker earlier this month. -
Gardens can be havens for soil animals in towns and cities
Nearly 1000 'citizen scientists' sent in their observations this year on Soil Animal Days 2019. And a surprisingly high number of people tried to do something in return for the vital services these soil creatures provide for us. -
Multifunctional grounds
Besides the latest ecotechnology, the grounds also feature aviaries, ponds, greenhouses and experimental gardens. -
A living, breathing building
As sustainable as possible, in as many respects as possible: that was the imperative when the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) commissioned a new building. And we have done it! -
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. -
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. -
Backswimmer most counted water animal during Dutch Ditch Days
This past weekend, thousands of people took part in the first nationwide 'citizen science' ditch survey in the Netherlands. The most counted water animals was the backswimmer (a.k.a. water boatsmen).