Wageningen Environmental Research

“Geloof me, er zijn echt maar heel weinig mensen die dit kunnen.”✏️ Wij zijn trots: het collectief NL2120 is de winnaar van de Grote Maaskantprijs!🎉 Deze prestigieuze prijs voor architectuur en stedelijke innovatie wordt morgen uitgereikt door Carola Schouten. Voor ons het perfecte moment om terug te gaan naar waar het vijf jaar geleden begon: het atelier van Wageningen University & Research. Lees ons interview met initiatiefnemers Tim van Hattum, michaël van buuren en Bertram de Rooij over het verhaal achter de visie. Wist je bijvoorbeeld dat het grootste deel van de kaart met de hand is getekend? ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eVzjUnP7

Climate change not only leads to rising sea levels, but also puts our rivers to the test🌊 Rivers are becoming more vulnerable to sudden, permanent shifts, like changing course unexpectedly due to extreme weather events, new research shows 🌧️🌪️ 'To prevent these surprises, we need to invest in understanding river dynamics,' Ton Hoitink. 'When heavy rainfall, storms, and land modifications like dams combine, they can create a “bathtub” effect, making low-lying areas even more vulnerable'🚧💧 The key is recognizing tipping points — when conditions align to cause permanent changes. A new global map shows which deltas are most at risk, highlighting areas where sediment flow is blocked and sea levels are rising ⤵️ The good news is, there is also a solution: allowing and restoring natural processes. 'With back tipping, we can push the delta in the right direction at the right time,' says Roeland van de Vijsel. 'Sometimes, a little push is needed to kickstart natural restoration.'

"Natuurlijk, niemand kan écht in de toekomst kijken", aldus Tim van Hattum. "Maar we kunnen onze kennis wel gebruiken om een voorspelling te doen." In navolging van NL2120 en EUR2120 onderzocht Wageningen Environmental Research in samenwerking met Gemeente Wageningen, Provincie Gelderland en Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe hoe Wageningen er over honderd jaar uitziet. In dit toekomstverhaal blikken de onderzoekers - waaronder Flore Bijker en Sverre van Klaveren - maar liefst een eeuw vooruit. Hoe wonen en werken de inwoners van Wageningen dan? Op welke manier verplaatsen zij zich door de omgeving? En hoe ziet het landschap eruit? Dat lees je allemaal in deze brochure:

🌎 "How can we protect the Amazon rainforest through science if we overlook the people whose lives depend on it?" This profound question arose when colleagues Jordi Vila and Martin Janssens learned that the local communities around the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) were unaware of the purpose of their research. Realizing the need for connection, Jordi and Martin partnered with Cybelli Barbosa from Brazil’s INPA - National Institute for Amazonian Research to engage the communities through science education. In collaboration with WUR’s Educational Media Team and colleagues, they developed educational materials and an app for schoolchildren, showcasing air properties and environmental science through accessible experiments. This project became more than science outreach—it was about building mutual understanding and sharing knowledge. “The enthusiasm of the children and teachers shows the power of connecting science with local knowledge", says Jordi. "We hope this inspires other scientists to engage with the communities impacted by their work.” Read the full story via ➡ https://lnkd.in/et9R7DMa #AmazonRainforest #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalEducation

"In the Netherlands, air quality often leaves much to be desired. A deeper understanding of how airborne substances spread and settle can lead to more effective policies." 🎉 Congratulations to Margreet van Zanten, who delivered her inaugural lecture, "What goes up must come down," on November 1st. Her work focuses on understanding atmospheric processes and integrating them into advanced models that can help shape impactful policy decisions. Her research aims to provide more accurate predictions for air quality improvements and is pivotal for creating effective strategies to address nitrogen deposition and other air quality challenges. With more than 15 years of experience as the head of the National Emission Inventory at the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM), Margreet possesses valuable expertise that bridges the gap between scientific innovation and practical environmental solutions. We are excited to see her contributions continue to flourish in this crucial field. #airquality #EnvironmentalPolicy #ClimateAction

🌍 What’s next for our lakes — clear waters or more algal blooms? A global study by Wageningen University & Research and Nederlands Instituut voor Ecologie (NIOO-KNAW) highlights how our current choices impact lake health and algal blooms under various climate and socio-economic scenarios. Lakes provide vital ecosystem services like food, water, and climate regulation. However, nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes are increasingly vulnerable to algal blooms, which harm aquatic life and reduce ecosystem support. In a future heavily reliant on #fossilfuels, 91% of lakes could face more algal blooms. With proactive environmental measures, including cleaner technology, improved wastewater treatment, and dietary shifts, 63% of lakes could see fewer blooms. #Climatechange, while less significant, adds pressure to manage water quality. This research emphasizes the need for effective lake management policies and interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce nutrient pollution and adapt to changing environmental conditions, using a novel watershed-lake ecosystem modeling system.

🕊️ Spot Kraanvogels met de vernieuwde kraanvogelradar! Met de herfsttrek in volle gang kunnen we dankzij de verbeterde kraanvogelradar nauwkeuriger voorspellen waar kraanvogels zullen vliegen. De vernieuwde radar toont met kleurcodes de kans op kraanvogelwaarnemingen per locatie. Ook kun je je eigen locatie zien en zijn windvoorspellingen toegevoegd die helpen bij het inschatten van hun vliegsnelheid. Het onderzoek achter de radar levert niet alleen betere voorspellingen, maar biedt ook inzicht in het trekgedrag van de kraanvogels. Zo blijkt dat kraanvogels hun snelheid aanpassen aan de windrichting: bij tegenwind versnellen ze, terwijl ze rustiger vliegen bij wind mee. In het najaar compenseren ze meer om afdrijving te voorkomen. Deze aanpassingen helpen hen energie te besparen, zodat ze hun lange reis beter volhouden. In oktober was al een kleine migratiegolf te zien in Zuid-Limburg, en momenteel verblijven nog zo’n 60.000 kraanvogels in het Duitse Diepholz. Zodra de nachten kouder worden en de wind naar het noordoosten draait, mogen we weer een grootschalige uittocht over Nederland verwachten ➡ https://lnkd.in/e2ntCx4s

🌊 COP16: Restoring the Wadden Sea: Bringing Back Sabellaria Reefs The small Sabellaria worm, once a builder of vast reefs in the Wadden Sea, has nearly vanished. But Martin Baptist is determined to change that. “We’re ready to bring the reef engineer Sabellaria back,” says Martin. His team is searching for suitable underwater sites to reintroduce the worms and restore #biodiversity. Sabellaria reefs provide shelter and food for countless marine species, crucial to ecosystem health. With new research and techniques, WUR is leading the effort to revive these vital natural structures ➡ https://lnkd.in/e7quHYTV

🌍 COP16 Begins: A Crucial Moment for Amazon Conservation As the UN Biodiversity Conference (#COP16) kicks off, the spotlight is on the Amazon—an ecosystem at a tipping point. Wageningen University & Research advocates for two key strategies to reverse biodiversity loss: integrating Indigenous knowledge and promoting a sustainable bioeconomy through science and innovation. Marielos Peña-Claros highlights the urgency: “The #Amazon is disappearing at an alarming rate, with deforestation, overfishing, and poaching threatening both biodiversity and livelihoods.” WUR's role in COP16 emphasises developing solutions that empower local communities and leverage research to aid conservation efforts ➡https://lnkd.in/eTWbrMty

🌕 "The lunar cycle doesn't just illuminate the night; it dictates the agenda for many forest animals", says Douglas Sheil (Wageningen University & Research). New research reveals that half of the mammal species in tropical forests adjust their behavior based on the moon's phases. By analyzing over 2 million images from wildlife cameras, scientists found that many nocturnal animals, particularly rodents, tend to avoid bright moonlight. In contrast, other animals, such as peccaries, become more active during these times. These findings emphasize the significance of both natural and artificial light in influencing wildlife behavior, raising new questions for conservation strategies in a rapidly changing world. Read more via ➡ https://lnkd.in/e6aDvTDc