Research

Here you find an overview of current and past research projects. The majority of my work has been on feedback interactions between organisms and their changing environment, particularly those in tropical marine ecosystems and shellfish reefs. In my research I combine experimental methods and technology from multiple disciplines. This includes community ecology, biogeochemistry, physiology, remote sensing (drones), hydrology, food web analysis, mathematical models and telemetry.

Also check out our groups website for an overview of marine ecology research topics

Global defaunation and plant invasion: cascading effects on seagrass ecosystem service

Ecosystems are currently altered by human-induced changes in large herbivores and invasive species abundances. We investigate how green sea turtles, as large grazers, and invasive seagrass interactively affect seagrass ecosystem services. PhD student: Fee Smulders. Collaboration between WUR, NIOO, and Smithsonian Institute. Funding: NWO-VENI grant.

Tropical carbon cascades: mapping connectivity feedbacks, and tipping points

In this this project we aim to identify situations where feedbacks may lead to tipping points in connected tropical coastal ecosystems, so we can develop early warning signal recognition. This work package is part of NESSC, the Netherlands earth system science centre. Funding is provided by a Gravitation grant from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which supports excellent research. PhD student Sara Pino Cobacho runs this project and we collaborate with Marten Scheffer, Ingrid van de Leemput and others.

Socio-ecological connectivity of tropical coastal ecosystems: how to enhance restoration and conservation of ecosystem services

PhD student: Luuk Leemans. Collaboration: RU, NIOZ, WUR, RUG.

Revitalising North Sea Reef Ecosystem Services (ReViFES)

Biogenic reefs are hard structures built by living organisms which form complex ecosystems and are accountable for several important ecological functions. In the North Sea, the most common bio-constructors include bivalves, such as oysters and mussels, polychaetes like the ross worm Sabellaria spinulosa and the sand mason worm Lanice conchilega, and also more famous constructors, like the delicate hard cold water corals. Despite their importance, however, such ecosystems have been critically endangered by human activities over the past centuries and severe habitat losses have occurred. Assessing the ecological functions of biogenic reefs will help us to determine the real impact of their disappearance but also can lead us to the successful restoration of these habitats. PhD student: Caterina Coral, PI Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), co-PI WUR, WMR, Delft University

Completed Projects

Population connectivity and habitat use of mega-herbivores.

In this NWO funded research program we integrated data of sea turtles satellite tracking, stable isotope analysis, habitat mapping, animal physiology, and molecular tools to map sea turtle habitat use and population connectivity for the wider Caribbean to provide scientifically sound, ecosystem-based management strategies. PhD student: Jurjan van der Zee. Collaboration between RUG, WUR, and Caribbean NGO’s working on  sea turtles STCB, STCC, STENAPA, TurtugAruba, Nature foundation St Maarten, and Saba Conservation Foundation

 

Food web structure and restoration of foundation species – shell fish reefs – Wadden Sea

In this project we assessed the importance of foundation species for food web dynamics and biodiversity in the Wadden Sea (Waddensleutels). Foundation species such as mussel beds and seagrass meadows have strongly declined due to human interference in the Wadden Sea. In this Wadden Sea wide food web study we used stable isotope data of 10.000+ samples to develop new food web metrics to monitor nature conservation succes. Nature conservation agencies and scientific institutions have collaborated to study the importance of ecosystem engineers for the Wadden Sea food web. Collaboration between RUG, NIOZ, Natuurmonumenten, Staatsbosbeheer.

Multi-scale seagrass patterning in Shark Bay, Western Australia

The seagrass beds of Shark Bay, Western Australia, are among the most extensive and pristine in the world. In the shallows of the Faure Sill, seagrasses (Amphibolis antarctica) forms distinct multi-scale patterns which can be seen from the air. We are currently trying to find out what factors drive this unique self-organization of seagrasses.

Biodegradable ecosystem engineering elements

We are testing establisment structures for seagrass restoration. These structures temporarily facilitates this foundations species by temporarily simulating positive feedback mechanisms (reducing hydrodynamics, predation, macroalgae cover etc.) that often naturally occur in seagrass meadows. After bridging the establishment threshold and by expanding through the structure, the BESE should break down and new seagrass shoots can facilitate eachother and colonize the area.

 

 

Spatial Seagrass Patterns as indicators of seagrass resilience

 

PHD

During my PhD project I studied the interactive effects of eutrophication, grazing and hydrodynamics on seagrass ecosystems. As a model system I studied tropical seagrass ecosystems, in Indonesia (Derawan Archipelago) that is also a global green turtle hotspot.

a) Eutrophication, Grazing & Resilience: Simultaneous effects of top-down control by megaherbivore grazing and bottom-up control by nutrient input (N&P) was experimentally tested in exclosure experiments. We found that intermediate levels of green turtle grazing increase the tolerance of seagrass ecosystems to eutrophication by the stimulation of seagrass production and concomitant nutrient uptake, the increased export of nutrients. Christianen et al. 2012.

b) Habitat collapse in Marine Protected Areas: We reported severe seagrass degradation in a decade-old MPA where hyper abundant green turtles adopted a previously undescribed belowground foraging strategy (digging for roots). These results reveal an unrecognized need to consider interactions of protected species with their habitat for sustainability. In this project, we used UAVs (drones) for counting turtles.

c) Coastal protection services: We found that short (grazed) seagrass meadows with most of their biomass in belowground tissues can also stabilize sediments and hence lower beach erosion rates. We used manipulative field experiments (under water bunkers and exclosures) and wave measurements.

d) Toxicity: Seagrasses are declining at a global scale due to light reduction and toxicity events caused by eutrophication and increased sediment loading. In lab-experiments we found interactive effects of light reduction and toxicants (reduced nitrogen, NHx) on seagrass distribution and species succession  By understanding the drivers and interactions responsible for the functioning and degradation of seagrass systems we were also able to develop indicator tools and to provide insight for the management of seagrass ecosystems, and, at a larger scale, for marine protected areas (MPAs).

 

Sea turtle population studies Indonesia

in-water surveys to gather (previously non-existing) baseline data green turtle populations in Indonesia

Population genetics of green turtle foraging aggregations

 

Impact on grazing on seagrass fauna (Derawan vs Spermonde archipelago, Indonesia)

 

River nutrient and sediment load impact on coastal ecosystems.

Restoring fen water bodies; effects for aquatic macroinvertebrates 2006

 

Habitat connectivity of mangroves, coral reef, seagrass meadows for reef fish (Zanzibar, Pemba, Tanzania) 2003