Research team
Expertise
The main focus of my research expertise is the conservation and restoration of threatened populations. My work focuses mostly on plants, but also insects and funghi. In order to maintain a good population, the presence and maintenance of good habitat quality is crucial and often a huge bottleneck. By combining large scale analyses (GIS analyses), intermediate scale (vegetation quality, groundwater quantity and quality) and small scale measurements (pore water, soil quality), unknown constraints and/or unsuitable management hampering habitat quality can be assessed and thus suitably adressed. Furthermore, habitat quality in itself is not the only limiting factor for the maintenance and recovery of populations, but additional effects like inbreeding, small population size, mismatching between pollinating insect and hostplant are often important constraints. By investigating the fruit set of plants and chemical interactions between butterflies and plants, further problems for populations can be identified and potentially mitigated. The main area of my research is situated in the east part of the province of Flemish Brabant, since it is a region with highly fragmented, small, diverse habitat relicts, in a very urbanised environment. This allows me to study a diverse array of problems impacting populations in an increasingly stressed environment. A sidetrack in my research concerns the effects of habitat degradation on human health, such as the occurence of pollen allergies.
The consequences of nitrogen-induced shifts in fungal and bacterial communities for carbon cycling in temperate forests.
Abstract
Forests constitute a large and persistent carbon stock, which has increased over the past few decades. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, it has been suggested that increased inorganic nitrogen input resulting from human activities has contributed to the observed increase in terrestrial carbon stocks. However, this nitrogen-induced carbon sequestration appears to vary widely across geographic locations, urging for a better understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Given the importance of microorganisms in both the carbon and nitrogen cycle, we expect that they play a central role in driving nitrogen-induced carbon sequestration. This project aims to investigate the role of microbial communities in driving nitrogen-induced carbon sequestration using a combination of a large-scale field study and a mesocosm experiment. We will collect litter and soil samples from temperate forests across a large nitrogen deposition gradient in Europe and use advanced molecular and laboratory methods to determine soil organic matter composition, fungal and bacterial communities and their functioning. To elucidate the distinct contributions of direct (increased nitrogen) and indirect effects (altered soil microbiome) of nitrogen deposition on soil functioning we will conduct a mesocosm experiment. Overall, our findings are expected to enhance our understanding of the role microbes play in coupling the carbon and nitrogen cycle and how global change is affecting forest carbon stocks.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Ceulemans Tobias
- Fellow: Boeraeve Margaux
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
HAbitat Restoration in the WINgevalley: ecological restoration and endangered species recovery in a fragmented landscape (HARWIN).
Abstract
LIFE HARWIN is part of the LIFE sub-programme "Nature and Biodiversity". The project region suffers from several threats like habitat fragmentation and too small populations of key species. In this project we aim for the ecological restoration and quality improvement of 350 ha qualifying habitats along the entire gradient of the Winge Valley: aquatic habitats 3130 (annex species Luronium natans), 3140, 3150; heathland habitats 6230*, 4030, 4010; grassland habitats 6410, 6510; fen habitats 7140, 7230 and forest habitats 9120, 91E0*, 9160. Target locations for the restoration of habitats are consistently chosen adjacent to restore habitat connectivity and attain a favorable habitat size. This is crucial because remaining habitats are mostly small and isolated, characterized by a lot of species loss and not part of a sustainable natural ecosystem anymore. This restoration will also benefit the expansion or (re)colonization of several Annex I species of the Birds Directive and Annex II species of the Habitat Directive. For achieving this goal, Natuurpunt and ANB, two professional nature conservation managers and the main landowners of the project area will implement the restoration actions. This cooperation is reinforced by the academic input of APM and Antwerp University , both with experience within the project area, who will bring in their expertise in studying populations confronted with environmental pollution and habitat fragmentation and with restoration of remnant populations through ex-situ cultivation and reintroduction . The partnership thus ensures the valorization in practical applications of environmental science, in defiance of any gap that can exist between academic scientists and professionals and volunteers. Therefore, the expertise of the Dutch umbrella foundation LA, that was founded precisely to bridge the gap between academic institutions and professionals and volunteers, will be indispensable for the goals of this project.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Ceulemans Tobias
Research team(s)
Project website
Project type(s)
- Research Project