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  1. Extinction of Pleistocene herbivores induced major vegetation and landscape changes

    Press release
    The extinction of large herbivores such as mammoths could explain massive prehistoric changes in vegetation and landscape structure, with major implications for our understanding of present-day ecosystems. Modern and paleo-ecologists joined forces in an international study led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). The results are being published online by PNAS this week.
    Pleistocene

  2. Evolution in your back garden – great tits may be adapting their beaks to birdfeeders

    Press release
    British enthusiasm for feeding birds may have caused UK great tits to have evolved longer beaks than their European counterparts, according to new research. The findings, published in Science, identify for the first time the genetic differences between UK and Dutch great tits which researchers were then able to link to longer beaks.
    KoolmeesVoerDennisvdWater

  3. It takes more than two to tango: Microbial communities influence sex and reproduction in animals

    Press release
    The reproductive tracts of males and females contain whole communities of micro-organisms. These microbes can have considerable impact on (animal) fertility and reproduction, as shown by Melissah Rowe from the NIOO-KNAW.
    Illustratie van zaadcel met microben

  4. Gardens can be havens for soil animals in towns and cities

    Press release
    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.
    Top 3 Soil Animals in Dutch Gardens 2019

  5. Carbon storage in nature

    Carbon storage is a hot item. Almost literally, as it is closely linked to climate warming. NIOO researchers discover more and more about the role of the living soil within our planet's carbon cycle. That role is: very influential, invaluable and essential for a sustainable climate policy.
    schimmeldraden verbinden bodemdeeltjes, soil fungi connect soil particles

  6. Elly Morriën and Emilia Hannula awarded Teylers Foundation gold medal

    News
    Emilia Hannula and Elly Morriën have been awarded the Teylers Foundation’s gold medal at a ceremony in Haarlem. The two soil researchers - who both did their PhD research at NIOO - won an essay competition set by the foundation.
    Gouden prijspenning Teylers Stichting

  7. Microbes for plant health

    Microbes can act as bodyguards for plants and can foster plant growth in other ways as well. At NIOO, we are digging into the mechanisms: in what ways do they interact? And how can we stimulate this, to make our agriculture more sustainable? Let's rewild our microbes!
    Sorghum field infected with the parasitic plant Striga

  8. Inaugural lecture by Dr. Ellen Weerman

    Event
    On 2 February 2023, Dr. Ellen Weerman will give her inaugural lecture as lecturer on 'climate robust' landscapes at NIOO and HAS Green Academy. The title of the lecture is 'Climate-robust landscapes: how to bring resilience back into the landscape'.
    Ellen Weerman

  9. Sustainable use of land & water

    Healthy surface water and soils are essential for life on earth, providing diverse life-support functions. How are these ecosystem services affected by human activity, and how can we change this?
    Biodiversity in NIOO's grassland garden in summer

  10. Is agroforestry the answer for rainforest restoration?

    News
    The conversion of Amazon rainforest for agriculture has led to deforestation and soil degradation. Agroforestry has been suggested as a sustainable alternative, but NIOO's Eiko Kuramae says its impact on the soil needs to be more fully considered.
    Márcio Leite & Eiko Kuramae