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Petra Visser, assistant professor at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics,  presented Amsterdam Water Science to the audience. Under the umbrella of this collaborative programme between the UvA and VU, more than one hundred researchers from different disciplines work on topics related to water.

This makes AWS a strong partner for NKWK. Visser: ‘There is a potential for cooperation in many of the research lines. Moreover, AWS students and researchers can literally apply their research in their own front yard, the waters in and around the Greater Amsterdam Region. One example of such Living Labs is a study into whether the quagga mussel can help restrain cyanobacterial blooms  in the Sloterplas. In projects like these, AWS builds partnerships with Water Boards, government agencies and private sector companies. ‘

AWS research projects

The strong potential for collaboration and links to practical applications of water research were further highlighted by the fact that four parallel sessions at the conference built on AWS postdoc and pilot research projects:

  • The AWS pilot 'Particle algae interaction in Markermeer' served as input for session 2A ‘Veerkrachtige ecosystemen grote wateren’ (‘Resilient large aquatic ecosystems’)
  • Session 2B ‘De inrichting en het gebruik van laag Nederland’ (‘The restoration and use of Dutch wetlands’) built on the AWS pilot project 'Greenhouse gas balance of contrasting wetland restoration strategies' .
  • The AWS postdoc project 'The contribution of atmospheric CO2 to phytoplankton productivity in eutrophic lakes' was presented in session 2C, ‘CO2 in zoet en zout water’ ('CO2 in fresh and salt water').
  • Session 2D ‘Als de dijken breken’ ('When the dykes break’) included results from the AWS pilot 'Extreme weather and chain effects'.

Two other parallel sessions were co-organised by AWS researchers: Session 1E ‘Waterdata en modellen: de nieuwste ideeën voor de toekomst!?’ (‘Water data and models: the latest ideas for the future!?), and Session 2E ‘Adaptatie in de stad met focus op kosten en baten’ (‘Adaptation in the city with a focus on costs and benefits’).

Information market

AWS was also present on the NKWK Information Market. The stand attracted many interested parties throughout the day, and new contacts were made that will receive follow-ups in the coming weeks. In conclusion, we can look back on the AWS participation in the NKWK conference as very successful. Full reports of these sessions will be made available on the NKWK website soon.

More information