National Centre for Soil Ecology
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.
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)
- 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!
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NIOO-KNAW
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Wageningen University and Research (WUR)
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Leiden University (LU)
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University of Amsterdam (UvA)
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Utrecht University (UU)
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University of Groningen (RuG)
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Radboud University (RU)
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HAS Green Academy
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Van Hall Larenstein (VHL)
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AERES University of Applied Sciences
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Westerdijk Institute
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.
Kick-off symposium - 14 November 2023 - Utrecht University
Second annual meeting - 30 October 2024 - Nijmegen University - registration will open in September
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.
Contact
Wim van der Putten (NIOO-KNAW)
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/cse_soil @cse_soil
Overview board NCSE
- Ciska Veen (Netherlands Insitute of Ecology) – chair
- Wim van der Putten (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)
- 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)