About
The multidisciplinary research of our group has an emphasis on new technology to enhance the understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.
The common theme is to relate traditional ecological observations to genetics at the molecular level.
Topics of interest include climate and anthropogenic impacts, for example of exploitation strategies, on the genetic development and population dynamics in terrestrial and marine organisms.
Organisms studied include various birds and terrestrial mammals, vascular plants, mosses and lichens, marine fish and benthic species, zooplankton and seagrass and other key species in terrestrial and marine habitats. Food web and other inter-relationships between these species are of interest.
The group provides insights into key biological processes, distribution dynamics of species and habitats, as well as anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity in coastal zones and terrestrial ecosystems.
Research Units
Selected Research Projects
The quality of the seafloor habitat is an important barometer for marine ecosystem health. In order to accurately measure the quality, GEANS will mainstream implementation of fast, accurate and cost-effective DNA-based assessments. This will enable national authorities to improve the management of human activities and protection of the marine environment across the North Sea Region in a transnational coherent way.
GEANS will conduct pilot studies concerning environmental impact assessments (renewable energy, aquaculture and sand extraction and suppletion), and concerning monitoring in relation to European directives (non-indigenous species and hard substrates). These pilots will be conducted in close cooperation with stakeholders.
GEANS is a European research project (the Interreg North Sea Project GEANS), coordinated by Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO). Scientists from all North Sea countries participate.
MPA Europe will map the optimal locations for marine protected areas in European Seas.
Using a holistic range of measures that include the range of biodiversity from species to ecosystems, including habitats, areas will be prioritised using systematic conservation planning software.
This enables alternative weighting of variables and multiple scenarios and thus support wider marine spatial planning. The project is funded by Horizon Europe.