I am a biologist interested in activity of species: what is our influence on how species organize their activity? And how do animals change the daily or yearly timing of their behaviour as a result of our presence? Do changing environments and ecosystems put selective pressure on species, and can we show it?

My drive is to visualize the invisible in ecosystems: hidden effects, latent processes, secretive behaviour by inconspicuous species.

  • Max Planck Institute for Ornithology 2009 - 2010
  • Princeton University, Postdoctoral Fellow 2007 - 2009
  • University of Groningen, Postdoctoral fellow 2005 - 2007
  • University of Groningen, Ph.D. candidate 1999 - 2005

 

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I am currently involved in a large project in which we study the effects of artificial light on nature. This project is a cooperation between the NIOO and the University of Wageningen (WUR), the Dutch Oil Company (NAM), Philips, the Dutch Mammal society, the Dutch Butterfly Foundation, the Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, the Dutch Society for Reptile, Amphibian, and Fish Conservation, and the Dutch Bird Migraton Station. 

In order to experimentally assess short-term and long-term effects of artificial light with different spectra on the presence and the population density of species we have set up a large-scale monitoring experiment. We have put up 120 light posts at forest edges to illuminate natural habitats from sunset to sunrise with three different spectra: white light, and light with either reduced short or long wavelengths. The effect of the light is monitored for three years following a control year without light (2011); data are compared with control sites (dark) present throughout the experiment. Breeding birds, bats, other mammals, moths and vegetation are carefully monitored by specialized field biologists according to rigid protocols. In parallel, we experimentally test for effects of artificial light on the life history of birds and insects (moths) in separate in-depth studies. Changes in daily and seasonal timing, such as changes in onset of dawn chorus and laying date in birds are studied, and the effect of light on the herbivory and development of moth caterpillars. For more information, please visit www.lichtopnatuur.org

 

Spoelstra, K., R. H. A. van Grunsven, J. J. C. Ramakers, K. B. Ferguson, T. Raap, M. Donners, E. M. Veenendaal, and M. E. Visser (2017). Response of bats to light with different spectra: light-shy and agile bat presence is affected by white and green, but not red light. Proc. R. Soc. B 284:20170075. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0075

Ouyang, J. Q., M. de Jong, R. H. A. van Grunsven, K. D. Matson, M. F. Haussmann, P. Meerlo, M. E. Visser, and K. Spoelstra (2017). Restless roosts: Light pollution affects behavior, sleep, and physiology in a free-living songbird. Global Change Biology:n/a-n/a. doi: 10.1111/gcb.13756

Spoelstra, K., M. Wikelski, S. Daan, A. S. I. Loudon, and M. Hau (2016). Natural selection against a circadian clock gene mutation in mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113:686–691. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1516442113

de Jong, M., L. Jeninga, J. Q. Ouyang, K. van Oers, K. Spoelstra, and M. E. Visser (2016). Dose-dependent responses of avian daily rhythms to artificial light at night. Physiology & Behavior 155:172–179. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.12.012

Spoelstra, K., R. H. A. van Grunsven, M. Donners, P. Gienapp, M. E. Huigens, R. Slaterus, F. Berendse, M. E. Visser, and E. Veenendaal (2015). Experimental illumination of natural habitat—an experimental set-up to assess the direct and indirect ecological consequences of artificial light of different spectral composition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 370:20140129. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0129

Daan, S., K. Spoelstra, U. Albrecht, I. Schmutz, M. Daan, B. Daan, F. Rienks, I. Poletaeva, G. Dell’Omo, A. Vyssotski, and H.-P. Lipp (2011). Lab Mice in the Field: Unorthodox Daily Activity and Effects of a Dysfunctional Circadian Clock Allele. Journal of Biological Rhythms 26:118–129. doi: 10.1177/0748730410397645