Projects

Emerging contaminants in soil
The issue of emerging contaminants is well known from the aquatic environment, but the problem has been little studied in the terrestrial environment. There are several possible scenarios for risks posed by the occurrence of emerging contaminants such as endocrine disruptors and veterinary pharmaceuticals in soils. These pollutants potentially affect animal welfare, food safety and soil quality. In The Netherlands such substances have never been measured in soils. This hampers accurate risk assessment for these substances. The scientific evidence for such risks in soil was reviewed in 2007 and published in a report (in Dutch). Analyses of veterinary antibiotics and natural hormones in soil and ground water following applications of slurry from pig farms are under way.
Contact: Joost.Lahr@wur.nl
Report (in Dutch):
http://www2.alterra.wur.nl/Webdocs/PDFFiles/Alterrarapporten/AlterraRapport1619.pdf
Web site (with an English abstract):
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-01/002/206/

Ecological risks of anthelmintics use in nature conservation areas
Large herbivores are increasingly used in nature conservation areas. This creates opportunities for the dung insects that live in the dung and help it to degrade and for wildlife species that feed on these invertebrates. However, the routine use of toxic anthelmintics (anti-worm pharmaceuticals) in ruminants in conservation areas potentially affects dung fauna populations and thus dung degradation. Because it is not well known to what extent this occurs in the field in nature areas, this is being investigated. Dung of animals treated with the agent ivermectin and untreated dung is exposed to colonizing dung insects. The disappearance rate of treated and untreated dung is monitored in the presence and absence of earthworms.
Contact: Joost.Lahr@wur.nl
Reports (in Dutch):
http://www2.alterra.wur.nl/Webdocs/PDFFiles/Alterrarapporten/AlterraRapport1473.pdf
http://www2.alterra.wur.nl/Webdocs/PDFFiles/Alterrarapporten/AlterraRapport976.pdf
Web sites (with English abstracts):
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/011/006/
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/004/030/
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/004/009/

Effects of land use management on risks of bioaccumulation of contaminants, and related side effects on higher organisms.
In this cluster, two projects are currently commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The first project is aimed at the relation between changes in a-biotic conditions of the soil due to land use, and the accumulation of contaminants in higher organisms. The second project is developed to investigate the possible negative side effects that measures to mitigate risks of contaminants may have on higher organisms.
Contact: Nico.vandenbrink@wur.nl
Further info (in Dutch):
Project 1: Effects of environmental management on exposure of higher organisms, through increased mobility of contaminants:
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/004/231749/beschrijving.htm
Project 2: Side effect of measures to mitigate ecotoxicological effects on fauna, and rules of thumb for environmental management
http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/004/231964/beschrijving.htm

EVOLTREE – Evolution of trees as drivers of terrestrial biodiversity (EU-KP6)
Contact: HansPeter.Koelewijn@wur.nl
website: www.evoltree.eu

Populations dynamics of migratory geese that winter in agricultural fields in the Netherlands .
Fieldwork to underpin models about annual survival (impact of hunting), recruitment and reproduction, which explain the recent population growth of arctic-nesting geese, as well as non-migratory geese and swans nesting in the Netherlands. The models should yield the most effective measures to control further population increase to prevent undue agricultural damage by these grazing birds. The research includes fieldwork in the Netherlands, large scale individual marking programs, as well as expeditions to the Russian arctic (limiting factors for breeding, estimation of carrying capacity of grasslands).
Websites: www.geese.org and www.geese.org/gsg
Contact: Bart.Ebbinge@wur.nl

Ecological corridors .
The National Ecological Network in The Netherlands is a coherent network formed by core areas, ecological development areas, preservation areas, connecting zones and buffer zones. The function of the network is to provide species with the opportunity for a sustainable existence. Large mammals need a large habitat, which is often not the case in the highly fragmented areas of the Netherlands. Therefore suitable opportunities for migration, so called corridors, are needed. Their construction and realisation are subject of study, e.g., in the case of red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and lynx ( Lynx lynx ).
Contact: geert.grootbruinderink@wur.nl

Development of an internet-accessible knowledge system on spatial evaluation of meadow bird management .
Protection of meadow birds ( Limosa limosa L.) is a key focus of Dutch conservation policy. However, up till now management schemes are not having the desired effect. Spatial aspects of the management are supposed tot be an important aspect, but difficult to handle in practice. An internet-accessible knowledge system is developed which enables to evaluate management plans ex ante. The first aim is to support nature management cooperation’s to come to effective meadow bird management.
Contact: Dick.Melman@wur.nl

Reintroduction of the otter .
The Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) was declared extinct in the Netherlands in 1988. As it was not likely that otters would re-establish a viable population in the Netherlands on their own in the short-term (<50 years), it was decided that they should be reintroduced. A habitat was selected for the reintroduction of otters and as soon as studies indicated that this habitat was suitable, the first otters were released into the wild in July 2002. The otters were monitored carefully in accordance with the IUCN reintroduction guidelines. The purpose is to obtain an accurate picture of the otters' welfare, in order to establish a sustainable population with this low number of individuals, and to be able to take timely action in the event of difficulties. The site www.otter.wur.nl presents the results of our research regarding the reintroduction of the otter into the Netherlands. You will find information about the aims, organization, execution and (interim) results of the project.
Contact: hugh.jansman@wur.nl

Monitoring of insect pests on trees and shrubs in forests, roadside plantings and cities since 1946.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture Nature and Food Quality. Description: insect pests are monitored annually by a network of 400 volunteers. During the last decades we have observed new invasive species as well as shifts in the indigenous insect populations on trees in forests, nature reserves and urban environment. Certain insects are able to weaken or kill the trees while others, such as the oak processionary moth, threaten the human health. The database since 1946, can be used for analysis of trends and its causes such as climate change. The data are also used to advise The Commission of Forest Protection (Pests and Diseases) of the Bosschap. The Bosschap is the board for the Conservation of Forests and Nature, legally based in the Dutch lndustrial Organizations Act. Furthermore, the results are disseminated in professional journals and lectures for forest, tree managers and students to achieve a better awareness and recognition of certain phenomena and problems related tot pests and diseases. News media are informed and recommendations for control are provided to political and governmental organizations as well. Contact : leen.moraal@wur.nl
Further information in Dutch: http://www.kennisonline.wur.nl/BO/BO-02/013/002/beschrijving.htm and www.insectenweb.nl

Entomofauna in dead wood .
Commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture Nature and Food Quality.
In the past, several projects (field- and literature studies) have been carried out in respect to the occurrence of entomofauna in dead wood. During the last years we are studying the effect of storm-felled pine trees on the biodiversity of insects.
Contact : leen.moraal@wur.nl

Ungulate traffic collisions
As in many other EU countries number of wild boar, roe deer, red deer and fallow deer increased in The Netherlands over the past decades. This was accompanied by a growth in the number of conflicts with agriculture, in damage to other private property and in ungulate-vehicle collisions. Fauna Management Units (Faunabeheereenheden FBE) and the Faunafund, related to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Safety, collect data on these types of damage, which are subsequently analyzed to provide ungulate management guidelines.
Contact: geert.grootbruinderink@wur.nl