Netherlands Ecological Research Network
Annual Meeting
12 & 13 February 2008
Congrescentrum De Werelt, Lunteren
Tuesday 12 February
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TIME
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LOCATION
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Main Entrance Hall
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08:30
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Registration and coffee in the Lounge and setting up posters
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Europa Hall
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10:15
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Word of Welcome (Louise Vet, Chair NERN, Director Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
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10:30
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Plenary 1: Biodiversity and the Niche
· Steve Hubbell (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles, USA)
· Jef Huisman (Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam)
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12:00
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Lunch in the restaurant
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13:30
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Parallel 1a: Biodiversity Theory:
Highlight:
This session will thoroughly examine why it is useful to further develop the neutral theory of biodiversity, along with other theories of community structure.
Conveners:
· Rampal Etienne (University of Groningen)
· David Alonso (University of Groningen)
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Parallel 1b: Multitrophic interactions:
to eat or be eaten?
Highlight:
This session discusses the molecular and chemical mechanisms underlying mulitrophic interactions, and how these processes contribute to the evolutionary dynamics of natural communities.
Conveners: · Nicole van Dam (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
· Josef Stuefer (Radboud University)
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Parallel 1c: Microbial Ecology
Highlight:
This session will feature presentations on the ecology of some of Earth’s smallest organisms and will be a tribute to their great functional diversity and indispensable ecosystem services
Conveners: · Johan Leveau (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
· Hauke Smidt (Wageningen University)
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16:00
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Parallel 2a: Biodiversity Experiments
Highlight:
One of the central themes in ecology is to understand the relationships between biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems. In this session we will present results of empirical studies designed to disentangle causes and consequences of changes in plant, soil and aboveground diversity
Conveners:
· Jasper van Ruijven (Wageningen University)
· Martijn Bezemer (Netherlands Institute for Ecology / Wageningen University)
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Parallel 2b: Evolutionary Ecology
Highlight:
In this session, recent research will be presented that explores the evolution of adaptive traits and strategies of organisms in response to their physical and living environment, including interactions with members of their own and other species
Conveners:
· Koen Verhoeven (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
· Jetske de Boer (University of Groningen
· Duur Aanen (Wageningen University)
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Parallel 2c: Spatial Ecology
Highlight:
This session highlights the role of space in influencing ecological interactions, and how this affects species distribution, ecosystem structure and functioning
Conveners:
· Johan van de Koppel (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
· Max Rietkerk (Utrecht University)
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Europa Hall
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America Hall
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Hall 3+4
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Parallel 1a: Biodiversity Theory
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Parallel 1b: Multitrophic interactions:
to eat or be eaten?
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Parallel 1c: Microbial Ecology
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13:30
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Species abundances and symmetry in community ecology
David Alonso, University of Groningen
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Effects of multiple biotic stressors on plant performance
Tamara van Mölken, Radboud University Nijmegen
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Role of biosurfactants in the ecology of pathogenic and beneficial bacteria
Irene de Bruijn, Wageningen University
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13:50
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Yes, We're All Individuals. Are differences really important in community assembly?
James Rosindell, Leeds University, UK
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Manipulation of maize defense responses by generalist and specialist herbivores
Elvira de Lange, Utrecht University
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Soil-born microorganisms and abiotic soil factors affect plant defence above- and belowground: pyrrolizidine alkaloid concentration and composition in Jacobaea vulgaris
Lotte Joosten, Leiden University
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14:10
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Neutral community models for microbial diversity
Bart Haegeman, INRIA, France
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What fuels secondary production in a nutrient poor intertidal ecosystem, the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania?
Matthijs van der Geest , Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
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Rising atmospheric CO2 and the impact of N/C stoichiometry on microcystin production in harmful cyanobacteria
Dedmer van de Waal, University of Amsterdam
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14:30
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break
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14:40
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Neutrality, Ecology and Tree-Diversity in the Guianas
Olaf Banki, Utrecht University
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Chemical information exchange in soil; Tritrophic
interactions between conifer roots, vine weevil larvae and entomopathogenic nematodes
Marieke Prins, University of Amsterdam
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Inter-specific interactions between soil bacteria: war or peace?
Paolina Garbeva, Netherlands Institute for Ecology
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15:00
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An empirical assessment of neutral theory in lowland Amazonian tree communities of Peru
Kyle Dexter, Duke University, USA
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Plant-mediated interactions between rhizobacteria, herbivorous insects and parasitoids
Si-Jun Zheng, Wageningen University
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Bringing light into the tunnel - functionality of the gut microbiota
Hauke Smidt, Wageningen University
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15:20
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Grassland species escape exclusion through seasonal niche differentiation
Ilse Geijzendorffer, Wageningen University
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Soil microbial diversity affects above-belowground interactions
Gera Hol, Netherlands Institute for Ecology
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The ecology of bacterial individuality
Johan Leveau, Netherlands Institute for Ecology
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15:40
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Time to stretch the legs and have a cup of tea in the Lounge
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Europa Hall
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Hall 3+4
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America Hall
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Parallel 2a: Biodiversity Experiments
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Parallel 2b: Evolutionary Ecology
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Parallel 2c: Spatial Ecology
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16:00
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Biodiversity experiments, where do we stand?
Jasper van Ruijven, Wageningen University
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Differences between invasive- and native plants of Tansy ragwort (Jacobea vulgaris) related to herbivore defence and growth.
Leonie Doorduin, Leiden University
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Vegetation patchiness as indicator of imminent desertification in Mediterranean arid ecosystems
Sonia Kéfi, Utrecht University
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16:20
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Using plant traits to explain species diversity patterns in a long-term field experiment
Marleen Pierik, Wageningen University
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Using biological traits to unravel the causal mechanisms that link species to their habitat.
Wilco Verberk, Radboud University Nijmegen
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Fire as a spatial process affects the stability in
Savannas
Thomas Groen, ITC
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16:40
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Roots at work: Interspecific root interactions determining community processes
Liesje Mommer, Wageningen University
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Ant Lasius flavus farming aphids: a new model system for stable mutualisms?
Aniek Ivens, University of Groningen
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Spatial structure created by organism-environ-ment interactions in salt-marsh pioneer zones
Bregje van Wesenbeeck, Netherlands Institute
for Ecology /Delft Hydraulics
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17:00
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break
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17:10
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Beyond productivity: Linking plant diversity to the composition of above- and belowground food webs
Martijn Bezemer, Wageningen University
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A game theoretical approach to optimal leaf area in an existing 5 year old multigenotypic competition experiment.
Peter Vermeulen, Utrecht University
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‘Bridge the gap’: How seed dispersal across heterogeneous landscapes can connect spatially distributed populations.
Merel Soons, Utrecht University
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17:30
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Symbiotic diversity as a driver of plant diversity and plant productivity in dune grassland
Susanne de Bruin, VU University Amsterdam
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Interspecific sex ratio adjustment of Nasonia in the field.
Bernd Grillenberger, University of Groningen
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Spatial variability in the net energy intake rate of Bewick's swans in the Lauwersmeer - A remote sensing and GIS perspective
Abel Gyimesi, Netherlands Institute for Ecology
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17:50
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Long-term effects of nutrients in grasslands: do plant and soil communities respond in parallel
Annemieke van der Wal, RIVM
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Sex allocation in relation to offspring density and
sex ratio: An experiment in the great tit.
Stephanie Michler, University of Groningen
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Spatial ecology of macrobenthic fauna in the Wadden Sea at a landscape scale: impact on molluscivore shorebirds
Casper Kraan, NIOZ
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18:10
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Drinks in the Lounge and at 18:45 dinner in the restaurant
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20:00
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Poster sessions / Coffee
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Europa Hall
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21:00
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Evening Programme
Guest Speaker: Drilling the Arctic Swamp… climate lessons from the past. Henk Brinkhuis, Utrecht University
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Wednesday 13 February
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07:30
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Breakfast in the restaurant
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08:00
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Registration for those coming on Day 2 only
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Europa Hall
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08:30
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Plenary 2: Multitrophic interactions and ecosystem stability
· Joan Ehrenfeld (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA)
· Wim van der Putten (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
Multitrophic interactions and ecosystem stability
A major and timely issue in ecology is to understand what determines the abundance of species, the diversity and changes therein. Human activities are a major driver of changes in abundance and diversity through worldwide influences on land use, atmospheric composition, climate warming, water and soil quality and the spread of species, enhancing the incidence of biological invasions. Understanding effects of human-induced global changes requires understanding of multitrophic trophic interactions between species, their resources (bottom-up control) and their enemies (top-down control). The traditional debate whether species are controlled by bottom-up or top-down factors has shown that these factors can influence each other and that causes and effects can take place in adjacent subsystems or even in distant ecosystems. Therefore, understanding ecosystem stability requires a multidisciplinary approach across spatial and temporal scales.
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10:00
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Coffee in the lounge
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10:30
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Parallel 3a: Behavioural Ecology
Highlight: Behavioural ecology is closely integrated with many other fields of evolution and ecology. This session contains a variety of topics currently investigated. Recurrent themes are the role of behaviour in interactions between individuals and species, and the dissection of ecological interactions
Conveners:
· Tom van Dooren (University of Leiden)
· Kees van Oers (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)
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Parallel 3b: Ecophysiology: from genes to organisms
Highlight:Organisms employ a tremendous variety of mechanisms to adjust and adapt to their environment. An important challenge is to understand how phenotypic plasticity and plant adaptation are brought about or constrained by molecular and physiological regulatory mechanisms
Conveners:
· Ronald Pierik (Utrecht University)
· Lourens Poorter (Wageningen University)
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Parallel 3c: Plant–Animal Interactions
Highlight: We investigate the response of plants and animals to each other and how these direct and indirect interactions shape their communities with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Conveners:
· Liesbeth Bakker (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)
· Patrick Jansen (Wageningen University)
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15:00
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Parallel 4a: Ecogenomics: populations and communities
Highlight:This session will highlight recent progress in research on ecological and evolutionary
genomics of organisms aiming to understand adaptation, species interactions, and population dynamics underlying biodiversity
Conveners:
· Jacintha Ellers (VU University Amsterdam)
· Joop Ouburg (Radboud University Nijmegen)
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Parallel 4b: Species interactions in the aquatic environment
Highlight: In this session we explore trophic and
competitive interactions across a range of time scales and levels of ecological organisation. We consider the behaviour of individuals, communities and coevolutionary processes
Convener:
· Matthijs Vos (Netherlands Institute for Ecology)
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Parallel 4c: Bio-geochemistry
Highlight:Biogeochemistry of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems: current developments in C and nutrient cycling
Conveners:
· Eric Boschker (NIOO)
· Jan-Willem van Groenigen (Wageningen University)
· Peter van Bodegom (VU University Amsterdam)
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Europa Hall
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Hall 3+4
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Africa Hall
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Parallel 3a: Behavioural Ecology
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Parallel 3b: Ecophysiology: from genes to
Organisms
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Parallel 3c: Plant–Animal Interactions
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10:30
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Consistent individual differences in avian personality
Kees van Oers, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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“Priming” Arabidopsis for defence: molecular and ecological aspects
Marieke van Hulten, Utrecht University
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A metabolomic study of thrips resistance in Senecio hybrids
Kirsten Leiss, Leiden University
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10:50
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The evolution of handedness in scale-eating cichlids
Tom Van Dooren, University of Leiden
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The flexibility of phytoplankton ecophysiology in
response to changes in carbon and nitrogen
Jolanda Verspagen, University of Amsterdam
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Secondary chemical defenses in Brassica oleracea feed back on biodiversity of herbivorous insects
Erik Poelman, Wageningen University
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11:10
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A hitch-hikers guide to parasitism: hitch-hiking behaviour of parasitic wasps on butterflies
Ties Huigens, Wageningen University
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Exploring roots - selective root placement in response to nutrients
Eric Visser, Radboud University Nijmegen
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Effects of grazing and vegetation on soil communities
Ciska Veen, RU Groningen
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11:30
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Break
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11:40
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Sperm selection in the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus
Elske Schut, University of Groningen
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Struggling for light: regulation of plant responses to neighbours
Ronald Pierik, Utrecht University
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Hunting impacts on seed dispersal and predation
Patrick Jansen, Wageningen University
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12:00
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Who fledges first?
Reinder Radersma, University of Groningen
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Cytokinin import rate regulates photosynthetic acclimation to canopy density
Alex Boonman, University of Amsterdam
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Grazing impact on aquatic plants depends on nutrient availability?
Liesbeth Bakker, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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12:20
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Sex-specific effects of altered competition on nestling growth and survival
Marion Nicolaus, University of Groningen
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The importance of functional traits for the coexistence of tropical tree species
Lourens Poorter, Wageningen University
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Are all herbivores nitrogen limited? Endotherms shifting the quest from nitrogen to carbon.
Marcel Klaassen, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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12:40
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Lunch in the restaurant
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14:00
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Poster Session Day 2 / Coffee
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Europa Hall
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Africa Hall
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Hall 3+4
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Parallel 4a: Ecogenomics: populations and
Communities
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Parallel 4b: Species interactions in the aquatic environment
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Parallel 4c: Bio-geochemistry
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15:00
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Eco-genomics of inbreeding depression in Scabiosa columbaria L.
Francesco Angeloni, Radboud University Nijmegen
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Interference competition and patch choice in foraging shore crabs
Isabel Smallegange, Max Planck Institute,
Germany
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Chemoautotrophy in coastal sediments: processes, rates and communities
Eric Boschker, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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15:20
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An array of responses to insect feeding in Brassica
Colette Broekgaarden, Wageningen University
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Interference, predation and priority effects in aquatic communities
Daan Gerla, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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Fate of microbial carbon and nitrogen in intertidal sediments
Bart Veuger, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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15:40
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Molecular characterization of bacterial populations in natural disease-suppressive soils
Marco Kruijt, Wageningen University
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Interspecific competition in shallow lakes; how a bottom dweller beats the canopy
Bert Hidding, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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The 18O signature of N2O: what can it tell us about biochemical production pathways?
Jan Willem van Groenigen, Wageningen
University
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16:00
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Break
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16:10
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The role of transcriptional regulation in micro-evolutionary processes; the case study heavy metal tolerance in Orchesella cincta L. (Collembola)
Dick Roelofs, VU University Amsterdam
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Long-term species interactions and chaos in a plankton community
Elisa Benincà, University of Amsterdam
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Reduced N leaching in soil with higher fungal/bacterial ratio.
Franciska de Vries, Wageningen University
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16:30
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The genetic architecture of life-history variation.
Basten Snoek, Wageningen University
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Coevolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions in natural Daphnia populations
Ellen Decaestecker, KU Leuven, Belgium
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Changes in soil decomposer community composition explain the response of organic matter decomposition to peat meadow restoration measures.
Jerry van Dijk, Leiden University
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16:50
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Does Xylaria play a specific role in the fungus-growing termite mutualism?
Anna Visser, Wageningen University
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Weak and strong interactions in aquatic food webs
Matthijs Vos, Netherlands Institute of Ecology
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Linking plant traits to litter decomposition: modelling potentially global implications for nutrient cycling.
Peter van Bodegom, VU University Amsterdam
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17:10
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Closure - End / Farewell Drinks (Lounge, Mail Hall) - dinner is possible, please ask at Reception
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