Promotor: E. Gittenberger, Co-promotores: B.W. Hoeksema; L.P. van Ofwegen

Biodiversity enables ecosystems to thrive through the synergy of functional differences among organisms. While human well-being strongly depends on biodiversity-driven ecosystem services, human actions are also at the root of current unprecedented biodiversity declines.

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

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

Promotor: G.R. de Snoo Co-promotor: C.J.M. Musters

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.

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

The use of N fertilizers has increased worldwide in the past century. While this increased input of N has increased food productivity, it has also contributed to decreases in biodiversity, soil quality and environmental health, including increases in greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

This thesis focuses on two processes involved in fighting infections: metabolism and immune cell motility and navigation.

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.

Promotor: J.M. Memelink

When a star is born in our Galaxy, it is quite likely that it has formed within a massive cluster, which hosts numerous high-mass stars bathing their lower mass neighbours in UV radiation.

Inaugurale rede

Plastics are an intrinsic part of our society. Annually, 400Mt of plastics are produced of which roughly 40% is discarded within a year.

Van waterzuiveringsinstallaties tot een lekkere warme douche, de CO2-uitstoot ten gevolge van het watergebruik in de VS staat gelijk aan dat van 50 miljoen auto’s die een jaar lang rondrijden. In The Washington Post raadpleegt journalist Tik Root verschillende experts om te leren over manieren om ons…

Kleinere computerchips, smallere cameraatjes; ze worden steeds moeilijker om te maken. Maar wat als de bouwstenen zichzelf opbouwen? Natuurkundige Daniela Kraft bedacht een methode om deeltjes aan te sturen in samenklonteren. Publicatie in ACS Nano.

Uit onderzoek van neurowetenschapper Bastien Boutonnet en zijn Amerikaanse collega blijkt dat onze hersenen sneller een beeld oproepen na het horen van het woord ‘hond’ dan na het horen van geblaf. Dit is opvallend omdat talige informatie abstracter is dan een geluid en daardoor het deel van de hersenen…

Geen tijd te verliezen met het natuurherstel. Om die reden en om te laten zien dat de Europese Commissie geen boeman is en ook een geen vijand kwam Frans Timmermans afgelopen dinsdag in de Tweede Kamer om met BBB-leider Caroline van der Plas te praten over het stikstofbeleid. Van der Plas wil graag…

Cláudio de Sá voorspelt voorkeuren van mensen door gebruik te maken van ranglijsten. Dit doet hij door ‘klassieke’ machine learning-technieken aan te passen. Zijn werk kan onder andere gebruikt worden om de uitslagen van verkiezingen te voorspellen. Promotie op 16 december.

GLOBOX is a spatially differentiated multimedia fate, exposure and effect model. It is used for the calculation of spatially differentiated LCA characterisation factors on a global scale.

Naar aanleiding van de explosie in Beirut maakte BBC podcastserie 'The Foodchain' een aflevering over de chemische stof die de explosie veroorzaakte: ammoniumnitraat. Deze stof wordt veelvuldig gebruik in kunstmest. Met Hoogleraar Environmental sustainability Jan Willem Erisman spraken ze over de effecten…

Promotor: P.M. Brakefield

Steden, Voedsel, Water, Biodiversiteit, Bronnen en Energie: dit zijn de belangrijkste onderzoeksthema’s voor het CML. Ons doel is altijd om wereldwijd voorop te lopen in ons vakgebied. En echte impact te hebben met onze onderzoeksprogramma’s.

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.

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 field of science communication is very broad. Below is a list of organisations where SCS students can fulfill internships or where alumni have found jobs.

The progressive loss and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is a major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The onset and progression of PD can be triggered by multiple risk factors, for instance, genetic mutation, environmental exposure, and aging.

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.

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.A. Bouwstra, Co-promotor: A. El Ghalbzouri

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.

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

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

As a contribution to the changing legislation and evolving societal attitudes concerning environmental issues, this project aims to enhance and manipulate the plants’ own natural defense mechanisms against western flower thrips (WFT).

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

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) reduces vehicle emissions to combat climate change. EVs raise concerns regarding the production of lithium-ion batteries and related emissions; while batteries can also provide energy storage services for the electricity system.

A management strategy has been developed for field margins to reduce pesticide drift to non-target areas and to promote biodiversity on arable land. To this end, 3 and 6 m wide strips along the edges of winter wheat, sugar beet and potato crops have been left unsprayed with herbicides and insecticides…

The role of material production as a driver of environmental impacts is increasing, which calls for a better understanding of global material flows. This thesis explores the role of in-use stocks of products, buildings and infrastructure as a key driver of global material demand and discusses the implications…

Promotor: Prof.dr. G.R. de Snoo, Prof.dr. G.A. Persoon, Co-promotor: H.H. de Iongh