Biodiversity/Nature/Ecology

Agri-environment schemes benefit biodiversity

During my PhD research on the decline of the hedgehog in Great Britain I spent many hours in the field doing research on their whereabouts in rural areas. In Great Britain, plenty farms are entered in agri-environment schemes meaning that arable fields are surrounded by grassy field margins and hedgerows, which should promote biodiversity. During […]

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Students with a passion

Ecology was – and still is – my field of study and of academic teaching for decades on end. From understanding terrestrial ecological processes at first, i.e., plant-animal interactions, my field broadened to include livestock, humans and human – wildlife coexistence. Now, my focus is on thoroughly understanding how the lifestyle of the privileged few

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Let’s show that humanity has something good to offer for the planet

Living with biodiversity definitely is one of the main challenges for humanity in the coming century. Everyone enjoys butterflies, but >80% of butterflies have disappeared in the Netherlands over the last century. Looking at butterflies, we can learn what it takes to meet our challenge. I propose the ‘butterfly dimension’ of getting engaged for biodiversity

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The “Anthropocene” Circumvention: A New Ideology to Sustain the Status Quo?

Abstract The evils attributed to the “Anthropocene” are not the responsibility of all humanity; the main culprits, who have the political and economic power to shape the forms of production and consumption and define lifestyles, must be distinguished from the majority of the population, whose power to change things cannot be compared with those. “Systemic”

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Elevating nature conservation in European law

I was captivated by nature from a young age, inspired by the incredible diversity it holds. Sir David Attenborough fueled my curiosity, imprinting upon me the importance of understanding and preserving our natural world. Yet, despite this passion, we’ve witnessed a devastating loss of approximately 50% of global biodiversity due to human activities. This decline

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Important environmental achievements thanks to European collaboration

Feeling overwhelmed by today’s environmental challenges is understandable, but it’s crucial to remember that positive change is possible. While it may seem daunting to reverse biodiversity loss and reduce CO2 emissions, I’ve found inspiration in my own experiences. Growing up in Katwijk aan Zee, I witnessed environmental degradation firsthand, from carpets of dead fish in

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The Hidden Costs of Pesticides: Threats to Nature and Food

Current pesticide use has serious consequences for the environment and human health. Current policy assessments have mainly focused on how pesticides pollute ecosystems and affect economies, but recent studies show they harm more than just pests. For instance, recent studies found that bumblebees across Europe face harmful pesticide exposure, linked pesticides to declining bird populations,

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