Erik Poelman appointed Chair of Farming Systems Ecology at WUR

Before taking up the chair, Poelman was Professor in Community Ecology of Plant-Insect Interactions at WUR’s Laboratory of Entomology. His research combines fundamental work on interactions between plants, insects and their natural enemies with research on how these ecological processes can contribute to more sustainable and resilient agriculture. “Sustainabilty, farmer perspectives and resilience should be starting points when designing farming systems,” says Poelman. “By making better use of ecological processes, we can create more robust forms of food production.”

The Farming Systems Ecology group in Wageningen studies how farming systems can be redesigned to produce food while also benefiting nature and society. It brings together expertise in ecology, technology and the social sciences.

Poelman studied Biology at Wageningen University, fascinated by how ecosystems are organised and how species interact, behave and adapt. His research has covered a wide range of species, from poison frogs and deer to birds. Over time, his research increasingly focused on plant-insect interactions, including how knowledge of plant defence, insect behaviour and biological control can contribute to more sustainable agriculture.

One example is CropMix, the National Science Agenda programme that Poelman coordinates. CropMix studies the transition towards sustainable, ecology-based agriculture through mixed cropping systems, in which different crops are grown together. The programme brings researchers from ecology, agronomy, economics and the social sciences together with farmers and a wide range of partners across the agri-food system. This broad approach makes it possible to study not only the ecological potential of greater crop diversity, but also what is needed to make such changes work in practice. 

“There is no single pathway towards sustainable agriculture,” says Poelman. “Farmers have different perspectives, circumstances and opportunities within the value chain. We need to capitalize that diversity and develop solutions together.”

“Farming Systems Ecology sits at a crossover point within Wageningen, connecting ecology with agronomy, technology and the social sciences,” says Managing Director Richard Harrison of the Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen University & Research. ”That is also where Erik has built his career, from fundamental research on plant–insect interactions to developing solutions for sustainable farming systems. I am confident his ambitious agenda and inclusive leadership will strengthen the group. I am delighted to welcome him as chair.”

At Farming Systems Ecology, Poelman will bring his fundamental ecological expertise to the group’s work on redesigning farming systems. This includes exploring how crop mixtures and rotations, crop breeding, technology and policy can work together. He also sees opportunities to support organic production and further develop Integrated Crop Management and Integrated Pest Management strategies that make greater use of crop diversity and benefits biodiversity.

At landscape and regional level, he wants to strengthen the links between farming practices and nature. Together with the group, he also aims to further integrate agroecology with the social dimensions of farming and food systems.

Sustainable pest management will be a particular focus. Building on his expertise in biological control, Poelman wants to help develop a roadmap that makes greater use of crop diversity and natural pest control and contributes to reducing reliance on pesticides.