Promotores: W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg, G.R. de Snoo, Co-promotor: M.G. Vijver

Het dorp waar ik opgegroeid ben lag midden tussen de weilanden allemaal netjes begrensd door sloten. Op 10 minuten fietsafstand van mijn huidige woonplek is dit kenmerkende landschap eveneens te vinden.

This thesis examines the impacts and challenges of water use of electric power system. This thesis found that there are large differences in water use of electricity technologies, with hydropower and thermal power being two large water users.

Food security is challenged by a growing global population and by climate change. Drought and soil salinity are considered the most important ones that inhibit crop yield and distribution. Worryingly, climate change is predicted to increase not only their frequency and severity, but also their co-occurrence,…

Binnen het brede netwerk van de Universiteit Leiden neemt het instituut deel aan onderzoek binnen de volgende profileringsgebieden:

In this PhD study, I aim to deepen our understanding of the influence of major mycorrhizal types, namely arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and ectomycorrhizae (EM), on the global soil carbon cycle and their potential distribution changes under future environmental shifts.

The application of nanomaterials in industrial processes and consumer products provides many societal benefits, but can also lead to the release of nanomaterials into the environment. The work in this dissertation aims to provide insights into the potential environmental impacts that may follow from…

Promotores: Prof.dr. W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg & Dr. M.G. Vijver

Sheltering is an immediate human need and determines well-being andhealth.

This thesis combines field and laboratory studies to address some of the most pressing questions in the field of microplastic research.

Freshwater biodiversity has been threatened by eutrophication due to excessive nutrients in the environment. Releasing the freshwater species from such pressures requires efforts from industry and manufacturers to avoid emissions to vulnerable and high-risk regions.

Inaugurale rede

Anthropogenic change is reshaping ecological systems, raising concerns about increasing transmission of infectious diseases. Among these, mosquito-borne diseases may be particularly sensitive to environmental change, as their transmission depends on vector populations.

CMLCA is a software tool that supports the technical steps of the Life Cycle Assessment. The focus of the program is on advanced computational aspects of life cycle inventory calculations.

Indonesia is experiencing various environmental challenges related to its fast economic growth. Therefore, it is necessary to have measurable and applicable indicators to obtain accurate data and information regarding the costs of adverse environmental impacts arising from economic activities to support…

Promotor: G.R. de Snoo, Co-promotores: M.G. Vijver, J.P.M. Vink

Supply risks are not new. But the aggravation of power conflicts on the international stage coupled with global shifts towards energy transition and digitalization has triggered the next supply risk research era.

The thesis describes terrestrial field trials aimed to detect side-effects of pesticides within the framework of pesticide registration procedures. Field trials were developed using vascular plants Brassica napus and Poa annua, caterpillars Pieris brassicae and effects on decomposition were studied…

Dit project beoogt de ontwikkeling van geavanceerde data-analysemethoden voor monitoring en het vergroten van ons inzicht in de dynamiek van de biodiversiteit in natuurgebieden zoals de Oostvaardersplassen.

Soil biodiversity is of great importance for the maintenance of multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems.

De faculteit biedt een internationale academische omgeving met 36% van de studenten, promovendi en onderzoekers uit het buitenland.

De wereldbevolking is in de afgelopen eeuw exponentieel gegroeid, en daarmee ook onze behoefte aan energie en materialen. Willen we in de toekomst ook in welvaart leven, dan zullen we onze economie en consumptie radicaal anders moeten inrichten. Wetenschappelijk onderzoek laat zien hoe dat kan.

De wereldbevolking is in de afgelopen eeuw exponentieel gegroeid, en daarmee ook onze behoefte aan energie en materialen. Willen we in de toekomst ook in welvaart leven, dan zullen we onze economie en consumptie radicaal anders moeten inrichten. Wetenschappelijk onderzoek laat zien hoe dat kan.

What is the effect of light at night on plant phenology and physiology, and how does this affect plant interactions with other species?

Welke consumentengroepen hebben de grootste impact op de volksgezondheid en de planeet door hun voedingskeuzes, en hoe kunnen we deze inzichten gebruiken om de transitie naar duurzame eetpatronen te versnellen?

To contribute to the body of knowledge aiming at a better coverage of ecosystem service assessment in LCA studies, this thesis dives into the challenges of incorporating existing ecosystem service methods within the impact assessment phase of the conventional LCA framework.

The book ‘Bestrijdingsmiddelen en Milieu' gives a transparent overview of facts and figures concerning pesticide use in the Netherlands and the impact of pesticides on the environment.

At the moment, over 350.000 chemicals are registered worldwide for production and use. Their application, however, may harm human health and the environment.

Promotores: H.A. Udo De Haes, P.M. Brakefield

The project seeks to develop an eco-design framework for single-use medical devices and packaging

Freshwater and brackish water ecosystems are arguably the most vulnerable ecosystems on earth, due to concentrated human developments in and around them. The Pontocaspian (PC) region located at the border of Europe and Asia contains a variety of brackish water ecosystems and unique inhabitants, known…

Vinasse is a major by-product generated by the sugarcane biofuel industry. It is a source of microbes, nutrients and organic matter and often it is recycled as fertilizer.

In times of hardships or crisis, local people know how to deal with it using their resourcefulness. Although efforts are sometimes made by the government to help them, they are fully aware that community support is at least equally important.

International trade has played a major role in defining the modern global economy. Trade, however, entangles the environmental pressures of economic sectors, giving the illusion of environmental improvements, while the opposite may be occurring.

The expanding population and economic activity are driving up global energy consumption. Simultaneously, there is an urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources to mitigate the climate crisis, primarily caused by fossil fuel combustion.

Promotor: Prof. dr. Arnold Tukker & Prof. dr. René Kemp (Maastricht University)

Mycorrhizas are symbiotic associations between soil fungi and most plant species.

This thesis pioneers diatom molecular identification and quantification through genome-scale methods, with four key aims: (i) reviewing DNA/RNA sequencing methods in aquatic biomonitoring to highlight their strengths and limitations;

Global Environmental Extensions Multi-Regional Input-Output (EE-MRIO) analysis is often used to analyze how changes in global and national demand for products lead to socioeconomic and environmental impacts at the national level.

There is accumulating evidence for an increase in severe global drought events. In particular, Europe experienced several severe droughts in 2003, 2015, and 2018 (unprecedented in the past 2,110 years). Such droughts have caused serious and far-reaching impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.

Organic amendments applied to agricultural fields can partially offset our carbon emissions to the atmosphere and improve the resilience of agriculture to the effects of climate change. Driving these benefits, however, are complex and poorly understood interactions between organic amendment properties,…

While ecosystems have concrete benefits for human society, these benefits are typically overlooked in decision-making.

The external tissues of plants and animals are colonized by microbial communities termed microbiota. When organisms are exposed to environmental pollutants, these substances will therefore encounter microbiota at the exposure interface.

Promotores: Prof.dr. W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg & Dr. M.G. Vijver

Plant diversity is essential for us and our planet as it sustains the stability of our ecosystems, provides vital materials and food to us and supports many ecosystem services.

Promotor: Prof.dr. W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg

This thesis describes the role of pollution, specifically neonicotinoid insecticides, as an actor of the ongoing biodiversity decline.

Promotores: Prof.dr.G.R. de Snoo and Dr. R. Heijungs

To limit the effects of climate change, global average temperature since pre-industrial measurements are to be kept well below 2 °C preferably even at 1.5 °C.

The development of new environmentally sound technologies is seen as a key route towards achieving sustainability.