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Restoring and rewilding ecosystems
It is a topical issue and has long been a research interest of NIOO: how do you restore nature? For example, former farmland can be made more suitable for nature again, and areas connected to each other. This approach could also help to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Furthermore, a growing amount of knowledge about rewilding has become available in recent years. It has become clear that, in the long run, rewilding yields strong ecosystems with more biodiversity. -
Seasonal timing
Species can adapt over the course of time. As the lives of species are altered by climate change, a different seasonal timing could make them adapt to an early spring, for example. How does this work, and what are the limits to such adaptations? -
Adaptation of species
In a changing environment, species change as well. During the last decades, human influence has intensified environmental changes, making adaptation even more crucial. Ecologists at NIOO are interested in rapid adaptation of species, both through (micro)evolution and via behavioural plasticity. For this has implications for the success of species, and for biodiversity. -
Dealing with bluegreen algae
Worldwide, excessive nutrient loads in lakes and reservoirs have led to the rapid increase of harmful cyanobacteria. Blooms of these algae block the use of surface water for drinking, irrigation and recreation. Climate change is expected to further increase the frequency, duration, and magnitude of cyanobacterial blooms. Aquatic ecologists from NIOO are busy gaining more detailed insights into cyanobacterial blooms across scales, in future climates and in respect to toxicity. -
Impact of nutrients
Nutrient availability in natural ecosystems has increased due to anthropogenic activities like spill-over from agricultural ecosystems. In the Netherlands, this has led to the acidification of natural areas for example. At NIOO, we aim to understand the impact of nutrients on natural systems in more detail, to help to bring back the balance. -
Greenhouse gases
Climate change is amplified by greenhouse gas emissions. At NIOO, we work on the fundamental understanding of how gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide influence ecosystems. Our knowledge of carbon and nitrogen cycles provides insight into the potential of greenhouse mitigation tools. In a Dutch freshwater lake or the soil of a tropical rain forest. -
Research assessment NIOO-KNAW
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) performs leading ecological research, stimulates ecological research of the Netherlands, and shares its ecological knowledge with society. From the start in 1954, we had the task to carry out and promote ecological research, and to cooperate with other organisations involved in ecological research. In 2024 we'll celebrate 70 years of ecological research, and we'll have our 6-year international assessment.
On this website you can find:
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Soil animal days
Every year around World Animal Day, we go on safari in our own gardens looking for the important but often overlooked soil animals. This year marks the 10th edition of the Soil Animal Days. The annual event organised by a growing number of partners, is now welcoming observations all year round and including from countries outside the Netherlands!
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Enhancing Soil Biodiversity
At NIOO, we are on a mission to explore the strange world beneath our feet, to seek out new soil-borne life, uncover new miniature civilisations, and to boldly take humankind where it could not go before. -
Soil biodiversity analysis for sustainable production systems (SoilProS)
Aim of SoilProS
SoilProS will interpret big data on soil biodiversity, soil chemical and physical characteristics with respect to current and desired soil functions, and how to use this information in order to help farmers predicting which crop varieties, seed mixtures, (organic) fertilizers, soil inocula, and organic substrates enhance the environmental sustainability of their activities.