Mission
The Ecological Networks team addresses nature and biodiversity in sustainable spatial development. Central to this is the concept of ecological networks as a link between nature and the decision making surrounding sustainable spatial development. With ecological networks the necessary spatial cohesiveness can be determined at the appropriate functional scale in a spatial plan, depending on the chosen objective. Moreover, these networks create bridges, for example, in decision making a bridge between scales and administrative levels, because networks constitute a spatially hierarchical system. But also between the different interests that can be linked with these networks, such as recreation, landscape identity and water management. We want not only to know and understand these principles, but also to apply them in practice. They are essential for achieving quality nature with the current administrative decentralisation and rise of development planning.
Ecological Networks
Ecological networks are also called ‘ecosystem networks’ and ‘green-blue networks’. A well-known example is the Ecological Main Structure: a network of existing and planned nature areas connected by ecological linkage zones with the objective of preserving biodiversity. Networks have different functions (e.g. biodiversity preservation, pest regulation, water management) and are found at different scale levels (the European Natura 2000 network versus a green-blue network in the Hoeksche Waard). They constitute an important concept in location-specific development, for example, in the adaptation of areas to the consequences of climate change.
The team
The team is internationally known for its combination of innovative scientific research and practical experiments on the boundary between ecology and spatial planning, and it has played an important role as advisor in establishment of the Ecological Main Structure. The team develops and integrates ecological foundation knowledge, spatial-ecological models and rules of thumb, as well as planning and design methods. This results in practical recommendations, education, reports, workshops and courses, and publications in scientific journals. Clients vary from local governments to national and international research programmes, NGOs and businesses. The team works together with research groups within Wageningen UR, with universities in the Netherlands and beyond, and with knowledge centres involved in practical implementation, such as Habiforum.
Key Research Themes
- Climate change and ecological networks:
Adaptation strategies of species, resilience of landscapes
Contact person: Claire Vos
- Function combinations:
Ecological networks as bearer of various land use functions
Contact persons: Carla Grashof and Willemien Geertsema
- Planning and designing with ecological networks:
Application of the concept of ecological networks in spatial planning and design, especially in development planning
Contact persons: Paul Opdam and Eveliene Steingröver
- Evaluation and optimalisation of the Ecological Main Structure:
Research on optimalisation of this national ecological network in terms of its configuration and outfitting and opportunities for private and agrarian nature management
Contact person: Rien Reijnen
- Ecological networks and regulations and law:
Contact person: Mirjam Broekmeyer
- Infrastructure and ecological networks:
Impact studies, plan development and evaluation of mitigating and compensating measures
Contact person: Edgar van der Grift
- Ecological networks in Europe:
Application of the concept of ecological networks in other European countries and in the EU as a whole (e.g. the European Natura 2000 network), in collaboration with the Crossing Borders team
Contact person: Sabine van Rooij