Themes

I work on species interactions and consequences for the dynamics, biodiversity and spatial organization of natural communities. I typically use large-scale field studies in ecosystems where (large) herbivores play an important role (including temperate savannas, wood pastures, semi-arid steppes, temperate lowland forests, salt marshes, and riverine floodplains). I am much interested in facilitation, i.e. positive interactions between species, and how these interactions are shaped by the interplay of various (a)biotic factors. Furthermore, I work on how predators (including returning wolves, or invasive feral cats) as well as humans, directly or indirectly, affect prey behaviour, with potential cascading impacts on ecosystems (e.g. ecology of fear). I aim to contribute to the advancement of fundamental ecological concepts with relevance for conservation (e.g. rewilding). 

Group members

 PhD students:

- Rik Veldhuis (2017-present), jointly supervised by Fons Smolders and Kris Verheyen

- Megan Korte (2017 - present), jointly supervised by Rampal Etienne and Louis van de Zande

- Bjorn Mols (2017 - present), jointly supervised by Dries Kuijper (MRI, Poland) and Joris Cromsigt (SLU, Umea, Sweden)

- Lisa Sanchez (2019 - present), joinlty supervised by Dries Kuijper (MRI, Poland)

- Nicolas Velasco Saragoni (2019 - present), jointly supervised by Ramiro Bustamante (UChile)

- Isabelle Buyens (2020 - present)

- Esther Swankhuisen (2022 - present)

Field / lab technicians:

- Iris Kromhout van der Meer (2022 - present)

- Richard Ubels (2021 - present)

- Roy Meijer (2020 - present)

Former members:

- Edisa Garcia-Hernandez (PhD student 2016-2022)

- Annelies van Ginkel (PhD student 2014-2020)

- Qingqing Chen (PhD student 2015-2020)

- Mathias Dillen (PhD student 2013-2017)

- Georgette Lagendijk (Postdoc 2015-2017)

- Mart Verwijmeren (PhD student 2010-2016)

- Ruth Howison (PhD student, 2010-2015)

- Jasper Ruifrok (PhD student, 2010-2014)

- Roel van Klink (Postdoc, 2014)

- Steffi Nolte (Postdoc, 2013)

MSc students (research projects):

- Pieter Otten (2022)

- Hilbert de Groot (2022)

- Walter di Nicola (2022)

- Heleen Jansen (2021)

- Annemarie van Olst (2021)

- Jurre Terpstra (2021)

- Patrick Baan (2021)

- Marije Jousma (2020)

- Josefien Tankink (2020)

- Krissie van den Heuvel (2020)

- James Skinkis (2020)

- Jagua Lamfers (2020)

- Esther Swankhuizen (2020)

- Bernhard Budin (2020)

- Joe Churchill (2019)

- Evert Lambers (2019)

- Sterre Koops (2018)

- Sanne Moedt (2018)

- Annabet Galema (2018)

- Christina Lijclama a Nije (2018)

- Franck Luicxk (2018)

- Koen Brouwer (2017)

- Jelle Wichers (2017)

- Maarten Doornbos (2016)

- Puck Oomen (2016)

- Sanne Moedt (2016)

- Erik van Haeringen (2016)

- Marjanne Havinga (2016)

- Wypkelien van Gasteren (2015)

- Jildou Schotanus (2015)

- Martijn van der Ende (2015)

- Moniek Gommers (2015)

- Mark Eerkens (2015)

- Kasper Eising (2014)

- Aron te Winkel (2014)

- Kaylee van Dijk (2014)

- Nieck Kromkamp (2014)  

- Jurjen Maris (2013)

- Rutger Steever (2013)

- Myra Boers (2012)

- Marycha Franken (2012)

- Marinka van Puijenbroek (2012)

- Annelies van Ginkel (2012)

- Rogier van de Blaak (2012)

- Tjitse op de Hoek (2012)

- Hidde Zemel (2011)

- Else Langbroek (2011)

- Judith Westveer (2011)

- Liesbeth Versteegde (2010)