Ir. Froukje Rienks (1972) is the head of PR & Science Communications, working at NIOO since September 1998. In 1997 she graduated as a biologist at Wageningen University. Her specialisation is population biology/ecology. Also, Froukje took a course in the Popularisation of Science, for science journalist and science communication officer, at the University of Nijmegen. Directly afterwards, she worked for the Dutch monthly on science and technology Natuur & Techniek for half a year. Free-lance science journalist was the next stop. During this period she worked for various media like Teleac/NOT (TV), Bionieuws, and Natuur & Techniek again. Nowadays, she takes care of the NIOO press releases, contacts between the NIOO scientists and the media, organisation of open days or school projects and oversees the website, the social media and other information gateways. In 2008 she took a break and was on sabbatical leave in the US and Germany.

Questions about the Netherlands Institute of Ecology or ecology in general? Ask Froukje!

Platform Wetenschapscommunicatie (PWC)
Organization of science communicators of universities and research institutes of the Netherlands: http://www.platformwetenschapscommunicatie.nl

Bezemer, Martijn, Wim van der Putten & F. Rienks 2006
Niets doen loont bij Jakobskruiskruidplaag; ondergrondse natuur helpt beheerder
De Levende Natuur
Full article: http://www.delevendenatuur.nl

“Wait and see” pays off with Ragwort problem
Poisonous Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) dominating the vegetation is a common problem in new nature areas in The Netherlands. Unnoticed by the cattle, it causes intoxication via the hay. Large-scale extermination is not strictly necessary though. Leaving Ragwort plagues for about four years proved to be able to cause a natural reduction of the population, as recent ecological research shows. Soil fungi appear to work against their former ’partners' and bring about soil exhaustion. Also, sowing herbaceous plants resulting in a denser vegetation keeps the killer herb almost out. In the end, Ragwort is just a normal phenomenon in an early stage of nature development and as the vegetation develops the problem fades away.
If available then a reprint or PDF can be requested at library@nioo.knaw.nl

Visser, Marcel & Froukje Rienks 2004
Ecologische relaties lopen stuk op warmere lentes
Opgewarmd Nederland blz. 28-33
Publisher: Stichting Natuurmedia, Stichting Natuur & Milieu, Uitgeverij Jan van Arkel
Full article: http://www.opgewarmdnederland.nl

Door een steeds warmer voorjaar lopen voedselketens in het honderd. De verschillende schakels van plant, planteneter en vleeseter sluiten niet meer overal op elkaar aan. De reactie op klimaatverandering wisselt namelijk van soort tot soort. Wat zien we gebeuren in de natuur en hoe erg is dat? Hoe breng je als koolmees toch je jongen groot, als je lievelingsrupsen verdwenen zijn?
If available then a reprint or PDF can be requested at library@nioo.knaw.nl

Rienks, Froukje & Ad Huiskes 2004
De ecologen van Yerseke. Deltawerken brachten Zeeland eigen onderzoeksinstituut
Zeeland 13(3): 85-93
Publisher: Koninklijk Zeeuwsch Genootschap der Wetenschappen

Met de Deltawerken kwamen ook de ingrijpende effecten voor de Zeeuwse natuur. Vijftig jaar geleden dacht men daar al over na. Het gevolg: de oprichting van een speciaal onderzoeksinstituut. En dat stond de afgelopen vijftig jaar niet stil. Onderzoek van oceaan tot Oostzee.
If available then a reprint or PDF can be requested at library@nioo.knaw.nl

Visser, Marcel & Froukje Rienks 2003
Klimaatsverandering rammelt aan voedselketens
De Levende Natuur mei: 110-113
Publisher: Stichting De Levende Natuur

Shifting links – climate change disrupts food chains
Structurally warmer, earlier springs in Northwestern Europe can disrupt food chains dramatically. Winter moth caterpillars for example are too early for the fresh oak leaves and starve. Great tit chicks are born too late for the peak abundance of caterpillars and miss the optimal feeding conditions. The different species within a food chain use different ‘cues’ or ‘rules’ to assess the right moment of development or reproduction. Mistiming, asynchrony of the links in a foodchain, is the consequence when the (combination of) cues become(s) invalid. This will form a major problem for especially vulnerable and fragmented species that are not capable to adjust or to ‘hop’ along with the shifting climate zones. More general species with sufficient genetic variation might be able to adjust at least partly. Within songbirds like tits they may learn to lay earlier, start incubation earlier, and give up making second broods within a season. The whole life cycle has to be taken into account before any conclusions on whether a species - or an ecosystem - can overcome the effects of climate change can be drawn.
If available then a reprint or PDF can be requested at library@nioo.knaw.nl