Organisation profile
We work on species interactions and consequences for the dynamics and spatial organization of plant communities. We are particularly interested in facilitation, i.e. positive interactions between species, and how these interactions are shaped by the interplay of various (a)biotic factors. We typically use large-scale field studies in ecosystems where (large) herbivores play an important role, such as temperate savannas or wood pastures, semi-arid steppes, temperate lowland forests, salt marshes, and riverine floodplains. We aim to contribute to the advancement of fundamental ecological concepts with relevance for conservation.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Maarten van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Smit group - Experimental Conservation Ecology - Other Scientific Research Staff
Person: Scientific Staff
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Addy de Jongh
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Smit group - Experimental Conservation Ecology - PhD student
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Both group - Global Change Ecology - PhD student
Person: Scientific Staff
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Experimental evidence for large carnivore risk cues reducing deer browsing intensity in a temperate forest
van Beeck Calkoen, S. T. S., Di Nicola, W., Smit, C., Kuijper, D. P. J. & Heurich, M., Jan-2026, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 63, 1, 14 p., e70267.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
From patches to processes: Linking grazing, facilitation, and trait variation in a grazed salt marsh
Buyens, I. P. R., Mar-2026, [Groningen]: University of Groningen. 154 p.Research output: Thesis › Thesis fully internal (DIV)
Open AccessFile35 Downloads (Pure) -
The genetic structure of a Brachypodium hybridum population in a patchy arid landscape is independent of neighboring perennials and stable over two consecutive years
Korte, M. K., van de Zande, L., Manzaneda, A. J., van der Velde, M., Etienne, R. S. & Smit, C., 2-Mar-2026, In: PeerJ. 14, 18 p., e20787.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Fine-scale movement of an elusive carnivore revealed by automated radio tracking
Otte, P. (Speaker), Dekker, J. (Contributor), Hofmeester, T. R. (Contributor), Kromhout Van Der Meer, I. M. (Contributor), Jonge Poerink, B. (Contributor) & Smit, C. (Contributor)
11-Feb-2026Activity: Talk and presentation › Academic presentation › Academic
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Netherlands Annual Ecology Meeting 2025
Otte, P. (Organiser) & Swankhuisen, E. (Organiser)
11-Feb-2025Activity: Organising and attending an event › Organising and contributing to an event › Professional
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TRICMA² - Project introduction
van Hardenbroek, M. (Speaker)
20-Feb-2025Activity: Talk and presentation › Professional or public presentation › Professional
Datasets
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Tea Bag Index S and k data of tidal wetland sites, within-site high vs. low
Mueller, P. (Contributor), Schile-Beers, L. M. (Creator), Mozdzer, T. J. (Creator), Chmura, G. L. (Creator), Dinter, T. (Creator), Kuzyakov, Y. (Creator), De Groot, A. V. (Contributor), Esselink, P. (Contributor), Smit, C. (Contributor), D'Alpaos, A. (Creator), Ibáñez, C. (Contributor), Lazarus, M. (Creator), Neumeier, U. (Creator), Johnson, B. J. (Creator), Baldwin, A. H. (Creator), Yarwood, S. A. (Creator), Montemayor, D. I. (Creator), Yang, Z. (Creator), Wu, J. (Creator), Jensen, K. (Creator) & Nolte, S. (Contributor), University of Groningen, 23-May-2018
Dataset
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Oostvaardersplassen carrion experiment
Klink ,van, R. (Contributor), Wiersma, J. (Contributor), Vorst, O. (Contributor) & Smit, C. (Contributor), University of Groningen, 2019
DOI: 10.5063/f1ng4nz3, https://doi.org/10.5063%2Ff1ng4nz3
Dataset
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Replication Data for: Behavioral response of naïve and non-naïve deer to wolf urine
van Ginkel, A. (Contributor), Smit, C. (Contributor) & Kuijper, D. (Contributor), DataverseNL, 20-Sept-2019
DOI: 10.34894/mfvijf
Dataset
Press/Media
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Hoeveel kleine marterachtigen hebben we in Groningen?
08/01/2026
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment › Popular
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Onzichtbare roofdieren - Hoe beschermen we de marterachtigen?
22/09/2025 → 19/11/2025
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research › Popular
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Stoat, weasel and polecat are declining, but how is that possible? Ecologist Pieter (29) is researching the useful creatures
17/11/2025 → 18/11/2025
2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Research › Popular
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CurveBend: From biodiversity loss to a nature-positive society through mobilisation of collective action at the landscape scale
Olff, H. (Leader), Piersma, T. (PI), Smit, C. (PI), Both, C. (PI), Tittonell, P. (PI), Lensink, R. (PI), Daams, M. (PI), Sijtsma, F. (PI) & Kruger-Zwart, L. (Manager)
01/05/2025 → 01/05/2032
Project: Research
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CurveBend-NL: Reconciling ecological and human lifescapes through collective action in Dutch dairy farming-dominated landscapes
Smit, C. (Coordinator), van den Born, R. (Coordinator), Both, C. (PI), Piersma, T. (PI), Tittonell, P. (PI), Daams, M. (PI), Sijtsma, F. (PI) & Mens, L. (PhD student)
01/05/2025 → 01/05/2032
Project: Research
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TRICMA²: Triple crisis meets trilateral cooperation: Effects of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution on salt marshes & pathways to their sustainable management
Smit, C. (Coordinator), van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, M. (Postdoc) & Kootstra, F. (PhD student)
01/10/2024 → 01/10/2028
Project: Research
Prizes
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