Sneezing sponges produce edible slime
Sponges sneeze in order to get rid of waste. This process produces a type of slime that is eaten by small sea creatures. Co-author Jasper de Goeij, Associate Professor of Marine Benthic Ecology at IBED, elaborates on the study in an article by EOS Wetenschap.
Achoo! Sea sponges sneeze to clear their pores, marine experts say
Study suggests waste disposal system of the creatures, which look like little chimneys, is more complex than thought. Co-author Jasper de Goeij, Associate Professor of Marine Benthic Ecology at IBED, comments on the new study in The Guardian.
Too much PFAS in nature worldwide
All over the world there is too much PFAS in water and the soil. Annemarie van Wezel, Professor of Environmental Ecology at IBED, explains in NRC: 'It was already suspected that the planetary boundary had been crossed, and now it turns out that at for at least four PFAS this is the case. This shows that we have to be extremely careful with the use of persistent substances in particular, which accumulate in the environment. We need to be more critical about whether such substances are really necessary in everyday life.'
Swimming in lake full of blue-green algae, cooling but not wise
With the increasing temperatures many people seek out a refreshing dive. Unfortunately, the heat also promotes the growth of dangerous blue-green algae. Petra Visser, Associate Professor of Algal Ecophysiology at IBED, comments in Brabants Dagblad on the risks of contact with blue-green algae.
Quality of Dutch waters is bad and hardly improving
The quality of Dutch waters is poor, and water managers are extremely pessimistic about the chances of improvement. Annemarie van Wezel, professor of Environmental Ecology at IBED, comments in Haarlems Dagblad: "The chemical targets are mainly not being met by problem substances from the past. They are substances such as some flame retardants that can no longer be used, but that are still in the sediments and then leach into the waters."
Dunes thrive without the fallow deer
Due to an exploding population of fallow deer, the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen turned into a barren landscape. In a few closed-off areas, nature shows its resilience. IBED PhD candidate Daan Kinsbergen studies these closed-off areas and comments in Trouw on his research.
Water crisis will be the new nitrogen crisis
Dutch water quality is getting worse and is not within set norms. Annemarie van Wezel, professor of Environmental Ecology at IBED, comments in NRC: 'Too little attention has been paid to the real causes: reducing the emission of pollutants. There are many parallels with the nitrogen crisis: the difficult measures have not been taken."
Large Dutch polar expedition sets off
Corina Brussaard, microbiologist at Nioz and professor at IBED, is interviewed by de Volkskrant on the coming Dutch polar expedition that includes climate scientists, biologist and sociologists. Brussaard: 'It's also nice to be together with so many researchers from different disciplines, and it sometimes leads to surprising research. We have the equipment to measure viruses and bacteria in seawater, and another researcher was looking at reindeer. He asked us: can you also analyze our reindeer poop? That's what we did.'
Accurate measurements
Albert Tietema, associate professor at IBED and nitrogen expert, comments in Veldpost on the ongoing research performed by IBED on the nitrogen diposition in the surroundings of two Dutch dairy farms. Albert gives an update on the progress of the research, and elaborates on the methods used for measurements.
Getting rid of PFAS: easier said than done
Annemarie van Wezel, professor of environmental ecology at IBED, shares insights on the dangers of PFAS and what can be done in the future to reduce PFAS pollution of the environment.
Largest bacterium in the world measures up to 2 centimeters
Gerard Muijzer, professor of microbial systems ecology at IBED, shares his thoughts on a new study published in Science describing the biggest bacterium in the world. The longest specimens of Thiomargarita magnifica measured up to 2 centimeters, which is around 5000 times bigger than a typical bacterium. “Even I still tell my students in lectures that bacteria are small and simple creatures, yet these kind of findings contradict that more and more,” Muijzer admits.
Largest known bacteria in the world are visible to the naked eye
Gerard Muijzer, professor of microbial systems ecology at IBED, shares his opinion about the newly published Science paper on the discovery of the worlds largest known bacterium Thiomargarita magnifica. “The impact of the study is enormous. All microbiology textbooks mention that bacteria are small and simple. However, the results described in this paper will completely change our view on these aspects,” says Muijzer
Exclusive interview with the President of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology
IBED Professor and President of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB), Astrid Groot, is interviewed by Scientia. She discusses the many ways that the society supports scientists and helps to advance the diverse field of evolutionary biology.
The animals can be saved if half of the worlds land area becomes protected
44 percent of all land area needs protection in order to prevent the extinction of endangered animals around the planet, concludes a new study published in Science. IBED researcher Daniel Kissling supervised the large-scale project and is interviewed by Trouw to elaborate on the findings.
Latest ‘plan for the planet’ calls for protecting 44% of land, home to 1.8b humans
A new study published in Science says 44% of Earth’s terrestrial area needs conservation attention to halt the runaway destruction of the natural world. IBED researcher James Allan, lead author of the study, comments on the results in South Africa Today.
Overgrowth in Noord-Holland: a nuisance for humans or a blessing for nature?
The Gooimeer and Markermeer lakes are tormented by overgrowing pondweed. Ecologist Harm van der Geest tells NH Nieuws he does not think that plants should be declared the enemy right away as overgrowth of pondweed is a sign of cleaner waters.
Nearly half of planet's land in need of 'conservation attention' to halt biodiversity crisis
Almost half the planet’s land surface needs extra conservation protection if the biodiversity crisis is to be halted. This was shown in a study by 19 scientists from institutions in the UK, US, Australia, Italy and the Netherlands that was published in Science. James Allan, who led the research at UvA, says in The Guardian that the study shows the urgency of the biodiversity crisis, as well as the opportunity to act.
Fast beaked whales hunt in the deep sea
The TV show on nature ‘ Vroege Vogels’ interviews Fleur Visser on her research into the unusual hunting strategies of beaked whales.
What goes wrong with the Dutch water quality?
The Netherlands will almost certainly not be able to meet European water quality standards by 2027. How is that possible? Annemarie van Wezel states that we avoid intervening where it really hurts: reducing the emissions of nutrients and chemicals.
Self-medication by dolphins
Fleur Visser comments on research by a German and Swiss team and the Dolphins Watch Alliance who found that beaked whales use chemicals released by corals to cure skin diseases.
Where have the hedges gone?
Several media report on the presentation of a book by Kenneth Rijsdijk entitled: ‘Heg, een behaaglijk landschap voor mens en natuur’.
The book is a plea for the return of hedges to the landscape, as this simple intervention is good for nature, species richness, carbon capture and flood prevention. The book was presented to the directors of NIOO-KNAW and Stichting Deltaplan Biodiversiteitsherstel on 16 May.
Rivers suffer from colorful fashion
The dyeing of textiles is the most polluting part in the production of our clothing. This is mainly due to the large amount of water needed for the dye baths, Annemarie van Wezel told the NOS..
Climate change will lead to more and earlier algal blooms
Blue green algae already affect the quality of swimming waters. Petra Visser explains in RTL nieuws that the health effect should be taken seriously: ‘The poison is comparable to that of a cobra’
Surprising hunting strategy of beaked whales
Fleur Visser explained in Vroege Vogels that North Sea beaked whales differ greatly from related species in their swimming and hunting strategies. They swim and hunt much faster and make shorter deep dives. It explains how the different species do not 'get in the way' in the deep sea. The great diversity of specialized strategies allows each species to be successful in its own deep-sea niche.
This may be the most important creature on earth…
Katja Peijnenburg tells about plankton in the Ocean series of Klokhuis
Walking lecture as part of the StrandLAB Festival
On May 13, Harm van der Geest and architect Lada Hršak will give a walking lecture along the coastal strip of the IJmeer as part of the StrandLAB Festival. They talk about their study Shallow Waters, which they presented earlier at the architecture biennale in Venice.
Peatlands are much better CO2 sponges than tropical jungle
In the newspaper Trouw, Jef Huisman comments on a Science paper by Utrecht ecology colleagues, which shows that peatlands, mangroves and other wetlands are of great importance for the natural storage of CO2.
How can we make new nature?
On April 24, Harm van der Geest gave a children's lecture in Nemo about new nature.
On May 3, he explains to Folia what it is like to teach such a different target group.
Nature is an ally in the fight against climate change. Why do we use it so little?
IBED researchers Dr Boris Jansen, Prof. Franciska de Vries and Prof. Annemarie van Wezel wrote an opinion paper in the newspaper Trouw, in which they state that we should use nature much more in the fight against climate change.
More collision risks for migratory birds
On the way between their breeding and wintering areas, European breeding birds encounter more and more obstacles like wind turbines and high-voltage cables. Newspaper NRC talked to IBED Professor Willem Bouten about the effect of energy infrastructure on migratory birds following a recent article that he co-authored in the Journal of Applied Ecology.
How to design safe and sustainable chemicals
Phys.org reports about a new study by IBED researchers Joanke van Dijk, Hannah Flerlage, Annemarie van Wezel and colleagues, that was recently published in Chemosphere. They present a new method for (re)designing safe and sustainable chemicals.
Less biodiversity: a quiet disaster with giga consequences
It is well known that our climate is not doing well, but far fewer people know that the loss of biodiverisyt is a crisis that is not inferior to it in terms of impact. IBED Prof. Franciska de Vries talks about biodiversity as the source of life on BNR radio.
Vroege Vogels TV about Plankton
The 100th episode of Vroege Vogels TV is all about the basis of life: plankton. These almost invisible animals and plants are of vital importance for life on earth. IBED and Naturalis research Katja Peijnenburg tells about her research on sea butterflies and how these organisms are largely affected by ocean acidication.
Orka-fear preditcs sonar avoidance
Whales and dolphins that react strongly to the presence of orcas also react strongly to sonar noise. They miss out on food because they don't forage much when that noise is heard. IBED Postdoc Fleur Visser responds to these new research resulst in Bionieuws.
High temperatures at the poles: 'We should be much more concerned'
Temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees above average have been recorded in Antarctica and in the Arctic in recent weeks. How did that happen? And are we actually paying enough attention to the issue? IBED professor Francsiska de Vries responds to this news and the new IPCC climate report in Folia.
GLUBS library will map sounds of marine mammals, fish and invertebrates
Researchers from different countries will bring together sounds from marine mammals, fish and invertebrates in a large database called GLUBS. IBED researcher Fleur Visser talks about the new library at NPO Radio 1.
Traces of paramos in the Amazon from 15 million years ago?
A team of scientists, led by IBED researcher Carina Hoorn, made an unprecedented discovery: they found evidence of fossil traces of paramo plants in the Amazon. The Colombian newspaper El Espectador reports about the research that shows that there is a vital connection between this region and the Andes, but that humans are now destroying it.
The predator is faster, and still his prey escapes (in most cases)
The predator is bigger, stronger and faster than its prey. That is the rule in nature. And yet in 90 percent of the cases, the prey manages to escape. How is that possible? Newspaper Trouw writes about the research of IBED Researcher Ben Martin, who studies how prey escape their predator in coral reefs.
Solution for avian influenza: 'Eating less poultry and eggs'
The avian influenze outbreaks in the Netherlands have been increasing since 2014, this year there were already 28 outbreaks. How worrisome is that? IBED Professor Bart Nolet, special chair waterfowl movement ecology, tells us what the behavior of migratory birds teaches us about avian influenza.
Dodo
What is so interesting about studying dodos? Lucien Geelhoed from Radio Weetlust talks with IBED researcher and dodo expert Kenneth Rijsdijk about the fact that the dodo was much more than a clumsy bird. Kenneth also talks about other aspects of his work.
Dog poo harmful to nature areas
IBED researchers Henrik Barmentlo talks to Nieuwsuur about how dog waste may harm nature reserve biodiversity by fertilising the soil.
Franciska de Vries in 'Met het oog op morgen' about a dog ban on the Veluwe
Farmers are calling for a dog ban on the Veluwe now that Flemish resaerch shows that dog poo contributes to the nitrogen problem. IBED professor Franciska de Vries comments on the research in the radio program 'Met het oog op morgen'.
Met het oog op morgen (NPO Radio 1) - 11 February
How mites manipulate plants
Spider mites can suppress the natural defense system of plants by manipulating the plant genes with proteins in their saliva. This allows them to propagate themselves faster. EOS Wetenschap reports about the PhD research of Josephine Blaazer, under supervision of IBED researcher Merijn Kant, that reveals new insights in this mechanism and offers perspectives for a new form of pest control.
Hungry sea sponges feast on fossils atop an extinct underwater volcano
In the Arctic Ocean, scientists have discovered a thriving ecosystem where food appeared to be nearly nonexistent. IBED researcher Jasper de Goeij responds to the study for National Geographic: 'The finding that sponges use food sources that other organisms cannot is very cool.'
National Geographic - 8 February
How the discovery of a moth sex gene could lead to crucial insecticide
European corn borer moths are one of the biggest causes of damage to crops, tunneling their way through vegetables and fruit. It costs nearly $2 billion a year in the U.S. to monitor and control the hungry insect. AgroPages reports about a recent study that reveals a way to predict mating habits and develop a possible 'insecticide' to stop reproduction comes from the European corn borer moth’s reproductive genes. The study was co-authored by IBED professor Astrid Groot.
Fungi in the city
There are thousands of billions of kilometers fungal threads in the city. They are extremely important for plants to absorb nutrients. But how much influence do these fungi actually have? Can fungi help the unhealthy trees in Amsterdam? IBED researcher Vincent Merckx thinks so. Together with Biology student Cas Verbeek they sample fungi all over the city. Radio Vroege Vogels joined them on one of their excursions.
Radio Vroege Vogels - 9 January (01:09:30)
Two little swans researchers on the road
They share a love for the Bewick's Swan and together they represent more than forty years of research into this water bird. However, they had never met each other: the newly started Bewick's Swan researcher Hans Linssen (PhD candidate at IBED) and Bewick's swan 'guru' Wim Tijsen. Together with radio Vroege Vogels they traveled to the Randmeren to look at their research object.