National Centre for Soil Ecology

Logo NCSE

The National Centre for Soil Ecology (NCSE) is a virtual platform to connect soil ecologists in the Netherlands. NCSE is a grassroots initiative led by Dutch universities, research institutions and universities of applied sciences.

Goal

The aim of the National Centre for Soil Ecology (NCSE) is to stimulate interactions between soil ecologists and facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers and between research and practice. Worldwide, the Netherlands is a front runner in soil ecological research and NCSE is envisaged to keep and further expand playing this role and in exchanging knowledge at the national level.

News and upcoming symposia

The registration and abstract submission for the second annual meeting of the National Centre for Soil Ecology is open. DEADLINE = 20 September. We hope to see many of you in Nijmegen on October 30! You can use the QR code on the poster or this link https://nioo.knaw.nl/en/form/symposium-centre-for-soil-ecolog to register.

Registration and abstract submission annual meeting 2024 open!

Participants

The organisation of NSCE is done by 10 institutions across the Netherlands:

  • Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
  • Wageningen University and Research (WUR)
  • Leiden University (LU - institutes: CML and IBL)
  • University of Amsterdam (UvA)
  • Utrecht University (UU)
  • University of Groningen (RuG)
  • Radboud University (RU)
  • HAS Green Academy
  • Van Hall Larenstein (VHL)
  • AERES University of Applied Sciences
  • Westerdijk Institute

Additional organisations are welcomed!

Vision

Soil ecology is at the basis of some of the main current challenges that we face as a society. Improving soil biodiversity and health will stimulate sustainable agriculture, land use, and aid in climate change adaptation and mitigation. There is an increasing demand for knowledge in soil ecology, which needs to be further developed, transferred, and valorized. Establishing connections among soil ecologists through a national network will be essential for enhancing knowledge exchange. 

Mission

The mission of the National Centre for Soil Ecology is to build an active network of soil ecologists in the Netherlands, where researchers can build connections and collaborations and exchange knowledge and research facilities.

Meetings and Symposia

Since 2023, the National Centre for Soil Ecology (NCSE) has been hosting an annual Symposium at one of the knowledge institutions that make up the NCSE.

This event brings together soil ecologists from across the Netherlands and is central to the NCSE's goal of strengthening the network by providing a space to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of soil ecology.

The Symposium is typically a one-day event packed with presentations, workshops, and plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with other soil enthusiasts.

 

Previous symposia and meetings:

Kick-off symposium - 14 November 2023 - Utrecht University

 

Upcoming Symposium:

Second Symposium of the NCSE

Location: Radboud University Nijmegen

Date: 30th October 2024

Call for Abstracts and registration: open until 20 September 2024 - see poster at start of the website

History

The CSE was initiated by Wim van der Putten and Hans van Veen (NIOO-KNAW), and Peter de Ruiter and Lijbert Brussaard (Wageningen University and Research, WUR). It was established in 2010 as a virtual cooperation between NIOO-KNAW and WUR with the aim to bring together soil ecologists in Wageningen and to train future generations of leaders in this field, from basic to applied research approaches. In 2023, researchers from several universities and research institutions felt the need to expand CSE into a National Centre for Soil Ecology, to connect soil ecologists across the country. Worldwide, the Netherlands is a front runner in soil ecological research and by connecting via a national platform, we can keep and further expand this position. On November 14th 2024, the National Centre for Soil Ecology was established. This was celebrated with a kick-off symposium.

See also

  • Geert de Snoo receives the support of Dutch soil ecologists
    Perro de Jong / NIOO-KNAW
    Geert de Snoo (director of NIOO-KNAW), on behalf of NIOO-KNAW and WUR, receives the support of Dutch soil ecologists to transform CSE to NCSE.
  • Group picture of attendees NCSE kick-off symposium.
    Perro de Jong / NIOO-KNAW
    Group picture of attendees NCSE kick-off symposium.

Contact

E-mail

infoNCSE@nioo.knaw.nl

Ciska Veen (NIOO-KNAW)

 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/cse_soil @cse_soil

Overview board NCSE

  • Ciska Veen (Netherlands Insitute of Ecology) – chair
  • Paolo di Lonardo (Wageningen University)
  • Emilia Hannula (Leiden University)
  • Martijn Bezemer (Leiden University)
  • Franciska de Vries (University of Amsterdam)
  • George Kowalchuk (Utrecht University)
  • Björn Robroek (Radboud University Nijmegen)
  • Joanna Falcao Salles (University of Groningen)
  • Wieland Meyer (Westerdijk Institute)
  • Judith van de Mortel (HAS Green Academy)
  • Emiel Elferink (Van Hall Larenstein)
  • Gera van Os (AERES University of Applied Sciences)