IBED in de media
“Dodo sister” became aggressive due to shrinking environment
While the dodo was the epitome of tameness, the closely related and also extinct solitaire excelled in aggressiveness. Dutch researchers suspected that rising sea levels were the cause of that difference. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Naturalis (Leiden) and the University of Amsterdam, has now come up with a possible explanation. Using a mathematical model by theoretical ecologist Jasper Croll and geologist Kenneth Rijsdijk of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), they show that a rapidly shrinking habitat was the basis for the aggression of the solitaire.
Gonçalo Piedade and Corina Brussaard in Trouw about the thousands of unknown viruses in the Southern Arctic Ocean
In recent years, Gonçalo Piedade studied viruses in water samples that he had fished from the ocean near Antarctica for his PhD research. Of the no fewer than eight thousand different genetic codes that he subsequently analyzed, three quarters turned out not to exist in the world database of viruses. All unknown viruses. Trouw interviewed Piedade and his supervisor Corina Brussaard (UvA-IBED & NIOZ) about this discovery. This is not about viruses that infect people; they target single-celled algae and bacteria in the water.
Kenneth Rijsdijk in NRC about the research on the aggression in extinct island bird due to rising sea levels
Researchers from the UvA and from Maastricht University discovered that the reduction of the island of Rodriques after the last ice age caused large-scale aggression in the extinct giant solitary pigeon,. Due to a rapidly increasing shortage of space and food, the peaceful individuals died out in no time. A mathematical model by Jasper Croll and Kenneth Rijsdijk now offers the explanation for the solitaire's behaviour. Rijsdijk: “The model provides insight into the relationship between behaviour and island size. There turns out to be a threshold value below which the proportion of aggressive birds suddenly increases from say 5% on an island with no competition for space to almost 100% on an island that is too small.”
Adrienne Chitayat about the use of deep learning to help protect chimpanzees
The future of chimpanzees depends on smart conservation strategies, and that requires data, lots of data. Ecologist Adrienne Chitayat has conducted research on chimpanzees in Tanzania and is the first to systematically survey the population density in the entirety of Mahale Mountains National Park.
Gonçalo Piedade and Corina Brussaard in Fish Focus about unknown viruses in the Antarctic sea
Out of thousands of marine viruses that were discovered in Antarctic waters in the past two years, 75 percent were new to science. That is shown in a paper that was published in Nature Communications on 24 October 2024, by NIOZ and UvA PhD candidate Gonçalo Piedade and colleagues. “This project has identified an enormous number of pieces in the important jigsaw of viral ecology and, therefore, in the circle of carbon in the oceans and the climate system”, says Professor Corina Brussaard.
Astrid Groot in De Morgen about the evolution of Darwin's finches
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts claim in the journal Science that Darwin's finches may be in for more evolutionary failures due to drought. The scientists based their findings on previous finch research: drought produces hard seeds and therefore larger beaks. Also known: large beaks produce a different singing sound than small beaks. According to Astrid Groot, the American research says something about how extreme weather events, which are becoming more common due to climate change, threaten the survival of animal species. "Imagine: a population of finches experiences a prolonged period of extreme drought. This is at the expense of variation in a species: finches with small beaks die, and only the birds with large beaks remain. If there is a very wet period follows, those birds also die, and the species disappears."
Chiel Boom in Trouw and the New York Times about how migratory birds try to avoid peregrine falcons
Thanks to a GPS transmitter on the back of a silver plover, a team of biologists, including Chiel Boom, was able to see exactly how this bird tried (in vain) to escape the attack of a peregrine falcon. Dagblad Trouw pays attention to this in their nature column.
Susanne Wilken in Folia about the research into microalgae in the ice ocean around Antarctica
Over the next five years, scientists from the UvA and the University of Groningen will be conducting research into microalgae in the ice sea around Antarctica, which may slow down the melting of the ice caps. University magazine Folia interviewed team member Susanne Wilken about this project.
Bart Hoekstra in NRC about the influence of wind farms on migratory birds
In an online multimedia production, NRC focuses on the recently published research from IBED into how migratory birds adapt their (nocturnal) flying behavior based on, among other things, the presence of wind turbines. As a committed researcher, Bart Hoekstra explains.
Trouw and De Telegraaf about Ruben Fijn's PhD research into terns & windmills
PhD candidate Ruben Fijn used small GPS backpacks to investigate whether and, if so, how sandwich terns adapt their behavior with the arrival of large wind farms at sea. One of his main conclusions is that the birds nowadays fly in a wide arc around the parks. This prevents collisions, but the disadvantage is that the habitat and feeding area of the animals is becoming increasingly smaller. Trouw spoke extensively with Fijn about this research. De Telegraaf also has a (shorter) news item about it.
Bas van Geel in Trouw
Bas van Geel is one of the paleontologists, who are searching , together with geologists, for a rare piece of peat that is more than a hundred thousand years old on the banks of a canal in the Noordoostpolder.
Jef Huisman in the Fries Dagblad and Foodlog about the importance of micro-organisms for the UN SDGs
An international group of scientists, including Jef Huisman, argues this week in the journal Cell that micro-organisms are indispensable for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The popular weblog Foodlog and the Fries Dagblad write about this and quote Huisman.
Annemarie van Wezel in NRC and De Limburger about the discharge of chemicals by tank cleaners
Newspapers NRC and De Limburger have jointly delved into the issue of the discharge of thousands of liters of chemicals into the sewer by companies that clean tankers. There appear to be many abuses in this world of tank cleaning: permits are outdated, not specific, control is marginal, and the industry itself decides which chemicals they label as harmful or not. Annemarie van Wezel speaks as an expert and is seriously concerned about the state of affairs.
Annemarie van Wezel in the AD and regional newspapers about our poor water quality
The quality of Dutch surface water and groundwater is among the worst in all of Europe. In an extensive interview in the AD newspaper, Annemarie van Wezel explains what is wrong with our water and what should be done to improve Dutch water quality. The same piece also appeared in various regional newspapers from publisher DPG Media.
Media attention for new nitrogen research by, among others, Emiel van Loon
A joint study by TNO and the UVA commissioned by the provinces concerning nitrogen emissions shows that a less strict limit for this emission cannot simply be established and applied. The provinces had requested this study in the hope of being able to grant permits more easily within the current legal limits for, among other things, construction projects and the expansion of agricultural companies. Emiel van Loon from the UvA was the main person involved in the study. Various major media outlets report on this new study; an anthology.
Annemarie van Wezel on RTL News about large discharge of horticultural poison
A horticulturist from the municipality of Westland has discharged a large quantity of a banned pesticide. The standard was exceeded by 6,000 times in surface water. Annemarie van Wezel calls this concentration 'very high'. She explains the damage that excessive concentrations of harmful chemicals in surface water can cause: "Some animal species can become extinct in a certain place, so it has consequences for biodiversity and the entire ecosystem. It may also be the case that you cannot have drinking water made from this water. And people can use it less for watering crops."
Fabian Dablander in NRC and the Nederlands Dagblad on climate concerns and activism among scientists
According to research by the UvA, a very large majority of scientists internationally are concerned about climate change and its consequences. Furthermore, half of the scientists surveyed are prepared to take to the barricades for this issue. Lead researcher Fabian Dablander explained this to various media.
Annemarie van Wezel about PFAS in foam
If there is a foam layer on top of the water, the concentration of PFAS is much higher than in water, because the molecules like to attach to foam. This also applies to sea foam on the beach. Avoiding sea foam is therefore wise. "Someone does not play in sea foam for days, which makes creating scenarios difficult," says Annemarie van Wezel. "The concentration of PFAS in the foam is very high, but foam is very airy and so the amount of water in a handful of foam is minimal."
Annemarie van Wezel about organic strawberries and PFAS
Farmers in the Netherlands are increasingly using pesticides containing PFAS, often without being aware of it. According to the RIVM, food is the main way in which PFAS enters the body. Organic farmers do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers and PFAS cannot end up on organic products this way but PFAS could also end up unnoticed in biological pesticides. Even if you look beyond pesticides, a PFAS risk remains with organic food. Annemarie van Wezel agrees “Organic cultivation can also take place in a contaminated area. One area is more polluted than another, so the fact that cultivation is organic does not necessarily make food PFAS-free."
Media attention to the risk of collisions with wind turbines during nighttime bird migration
Researchers from IBED have spent six years using radar and other methods to map the nighttime routes and flight heights of migratory birds in North Holland. Bart Hoekstra talks to various media about this research and what it makes clear about the risk of wind turbines at hotspot locations.
Emiel van Loon in De Volkskrant about the research on nitrogen trading
The trade in nitrogen rights between different sectors leads to more emissions, with likely negative effects on nature. Research by the UvA confirmed last year that a large part of nitrogen emissions ends up in a so-called 'nitrogen blanket' in the air. It is impossible to say where exactly it will end up. In any case, it is certain that more emissions are bad news for nature, which is already suffering from a nitrogen surplus. "Nitrogen trading leads to more emissions, while you would like less," says Emiel van Loon, one of the authors of the UvA study. "That is not a problem for the nearby nature, but on a larger scale it is."
Annemarie van Wezel in AD about high concentration of anti-mosquito repellent in swimming water
There are too high concentrations of mosquito repellents in the surface water of the Groene Hart. This is the conclusion of the Rijnland Water Board based on research. This is not only a danger to public health, the increasing cleaning costs ultimately end up borne by society.
Annemarie van Wezel on the program Human about quality of Dutch surface water
Pollution from agriculture, industry and sewers is deteriorating the quality of Dutch surface water. Entire ecosystems are in danger of going under and purifying our drinking water is becoming increasingly difficult. Poor water quality can even affect our health. What is stopping us from bringing the quality of our surface water back up to standard?
Folia follows biology students on their search for a rare toad
For thirty years, a group of first-year biology students has been traveling to Limburg together with ecologists from the IBED to conduct a week of research into the plants and animals that occur in the hilly landscape. A permanent part of the weekly program is the evening excursion with one of the rarest toad species in the Netherlands as 'main guest': the yellow-bellied fire toad.
Linda Amaral-Zettler in Het Parool about what happens to degradable plastics in the ocean
Biodegradable plastics are seen as one of the answers to our plastic problem. But what actually happens when these plastics end up in the ocean? Are they still broken down, and what is the influence of this type of plastics or the breakdown products on ocean life? Linda Amaral-Zettler received a large grant earlier this year to research this. Het Parool now has an interview with her about her work.
Annemarie van Wezel on the radio program Pointer about PFAS pollution
More and more PFAS pollution is being discovered in the Netherlands, both in water and soil. This leads to social unrest. Investigative journalism program Pointer has made a radio broadcast about the issue, Annemarie van Wezel as one of the main guests.
Mariana Gliesch in Folia about the influence of drought on Dutch heathlands
Folia interviewed Mariana Gliesch about her and Franciska de Vries' research into the influence of increased droughts on Dutch heathland. An experiment has been running at the UvA for 20 years to see what droughts do to this characteristic landscape type.
Evy van Berlo and Karline Janmaat explain bonobo news at the NOS and in NRC
Bonobos are known as the most peaceful apes. However, a newly published study shows that more aggression occurs between males than among closely related chimpanzees. Moreover, the most aggressive men are the most successful with women. Great ape experts Evy van Berlo (UvA-IBED) and Karline Janmaat (UvA-IBED & Leiden University) explain this new French research at NOS and NRC respectively.
Media attention for Linda Amaral-Zettler, who received an ERC Advanced Grant
Linda Amaral-Zettler has received an ERC grant of almost 3.5 million euros for her research into the degradation of bioplastics in the marine environment.
Annemarie van Wezel in TV program EenVandaag and on NPO Radio1 about the poor quality of Dutch surface water
Last week it emerged that no less than 96% of Dutch surface water does not meet European standards for the presence of chemicals such as PFAS. Annemarie van Wezel explained this at NPO Radio 1 and in the studio of current affairs program EenVandaag (see below an earlier item)
Annemarie van Wezel in NRC about the polluted Dutch surface water
NRC has an article about the excessive levels of chemicals in Dutch surface waters. Last week it emerged that no less than 96% of our water does not meet the European standard. The Netherlands has until 2027 to do something about this, but the chance that we will achieve the European standards then seems small. In the article, Annemarie van Wezel explains the pollution and how difficult it is to get rid of.
Nina Witteveen in Folia about her research into the influence of the last ice age on mangrove forests in South America
Nina Witteveen and her supervisor Carina Hoorn investigated what happened to the mangrove forests in French Guiana as a result of the last ice age. These forests then appeared to give way to savannah in a relatively short time. Witteveen talks about this research in university magazine Folia.
Annemarie van Wezel on BNR radio about the quality of waters in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is internationally known for its expertise in the field of water. But the quality of our own waters is far below standard. How did that happen? And more importantly: how do we get this in order, so that the Netherlands also complies with the European Water Framework Directive in 2027? Annemarie van Wezel is a guest in BNR's Big Five of Nederland Waterland
Annemarie van Wezel in TV program EenVandaag about high PFAS levels in the soil
Ten organizations, including the military union and action group SchipholWatch, hold the State liable for high PFAS levels in the soil. Knoops law firm files a mass claim on behalf of the organizations. There is too much PFAS in the soil in hundreds of places in the Netherlands. "There are actually many places where PFAS is used. Sometimes without the employees or the factories being fully aware and aware of it," says Annemarie van Wezel.
Fabian Dablander in NRC about climate optimism
Climate optimism is necessary but it must be factual. "We are doing well in tackling the climate crisis": Fabian Dablander and Guus Dix hear this regularly. However, the optimists provide weak support for their story.
Erik Cammeraat in the Reformatorisch Dagblad about desertification in Spain
Southeastern Spain Spain is suffering from desertification, or the process in which increasing droughts set in motion all kinds of processes that turn ecosystems into deserts. Erik Cammeraat is an expert in the field of desertification and goes to this region every year with a group of students. The Reformatorisch Dagblad spoke to him about the problems at hand and what residents of the region can do to prevent further desertification.
Jef Huisman in Hart van Nederland about nitrogen and the farmers' protests
On February 28, SBS6 news program Hart van Nederland focused on the ongoing farmers' protests and the nitrogen crisis in our country. Jef Huisman commented.
Gerard Oostermeijer in Folia about the earlier arrival of spring
Due to climate change, nature in our country is 'waking up' earlier and earlier. University magazine Folia asked Gerard Oostermeijer what the consequences of this earlier spring are for nature.
Annemarie van Wezel in Het Financieele Dagblad about Pfas pesticides
How harmful a substance is depends on how much it is used.' Annemarie Van Wezel points to the world's most used and controversial herbicide, glyphosate. Glyphosate is known as a product that is safer than other pesticides, provided farmers use it selectively. But many crops use a lot of glyphosate, says Van Wezel.
Annemarie van Wezel in De Telegraaf about the purification methods for Spring and mineral water from France
Spring and mineral water from France is not as pure natural as its producers claim. Due to bacteria or chemical contamination (such as traces of pesticides), those brands has been treated for years using filters, carbon and UV light. These purification techniques are permitted for tap water, but are prohibited for water labeled 'spring water' or 'natural mineral water'. “It is not in accordance with the rules, but they are fairly regular methods that the water companies use,” says Annemarie van Wezel. “They are also used in the Dutch drinking water sector, where approximately a third of our drinking water is made from surface water.”
Anja Spang in NRC about evolution of complex cells and the role of archaea
How did complex cells and multicellular life arise? What is the role of the so-called archaea, wonderful single-celled organisms that look a bit like bacteria but are not? Anja Spang (UvA-IBED) talks in NRC about the latest insights into this, following her Inaugural Lecture on 9 February 2024
Esmeralda Alcantar en Kelly Latijnhouwers in Folia about their coral research in Curaçao
The coral around Curaçao is doing very badly. In university magazine Folia, PhD students Esmeralda Alcantar and Kelly Latijnhouwers talk about their coral research in the region, recent significant coral mortality and how difficult it is to restore the reefs.
Pim de Voogt on NOS and TV program Nieuwsuur about the danger of a drug lab in a residential area
The recent explosion in the middle of a residential area in Rotterdam may have been the result of a problem in an illegal drug lab. Pim de Voogt talks about the potential dangers of the presence of such an illegal laboratory in the middle of a residential area
Giuditta Beretta in Folia about her PhD research
University magazine Folia has an interview with Giuditta Beretta about her PhD research into natural control of the pest thrips. She discovered, among other things, that the thrips Echinothrip americanus, a problem species in the floriculture of roses and gerberas, among others, easily repels an attack from predatory mites through a kind of swinging movement with its abdomen.
Species seeks species
In 2023, a project was launched to construct an infrastructure to identify every living species in the Netherlands and to monitor biodiversity. The digital platform, called ARISE (Authoritative and Rapid Identification System for Essential biodiversity information), is the first of its kind in the world. It will provide researchers with various tools for rapid and automated mapping of the natural world by any method. The partners in the project believe it can help to reverse the loss of biodiversity. The platform is already accessible for researchers.
A lot of media attention for the research by Bart Hoekstra into the effect of fireworks on birds
A new study led by Bart Hoekstra into the effect of lighting fireworks on birds has received a lot of media attention within and outside the Netherlands (see also )