Wageningen Environmental Research

Applied Spatial Research is a very diverse group: Geodesk, landscape architects, data quality expertise centre, software developers, cartographers and spatial data/ information researchers. But what binds us is that we all work on enhancing the symbiosis between the natural environment and humanity through applied spatial research. Through co-creation and creative design, we support stakeholders in improving decision making by integrating perspectives and different types of knowledge. ​We develop and advance methods and techniques for analysis, synthesis, valuation, and visualisation of spatial knowledge.​ The fitness for use principle, making sure that the solution is usable, is always central.

Contact teamleader Wies Vullings.

Together with clients, partners and stakeholders, the Biodiversity & Policy team works to realise a robust, sustainable, liveable, profitable and biodiverse landscape. This on both international and local level. In our research we assume that nature offers solutions for many issues on the road to a sustainable environment.

B & P is a diverse team focused on three knowledge pillars; a) information and data processing (modelling and GIS), b) ecology and ecosystems (flora and fauna) and c) governance and policy. We are knowledge partners for financiers, policy-makers, legislators and regulators, users, managers, the business community and civil society organisations.

Contact teamleader Joke de Jong.

Team Soil, Water and Land use investigates interactions between the soil-water system and land use. We are using field experience, maps, laboratory facilities, spatial statistics, land evaluation and simulation models to inform the management of soil and water and to support future proof spatial planning in response to climate change.

We maintain maps and data on soils, landforms and groundwater table depth in The Netherlands, partly in our role as administrator for the Dutch National Key Registry of the Subsurface.

We are also in charge of the widely used Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant-model (SWAP) for the unsaturated zone, and of the derived model instrument WaterVision Agriculture.

In the European context we participate in projects on soil information and soil health, such as the European Joint Program on Soil.

Contact teamleader Mirjam Hack-ten Broeke.

Team Climate Resilience

Climate change is affecting society and ecosystems. The Climate Resilience team investigates climate risks in regions and sectors, now and in the future, and what is needed to increase their resilience. We work in two different landscape types: urban and rural landscape for which we make use of climate services.

Climate resilient cities

Our cities are not yet ready for the future. Climate change is already happening, and the impact is affecting people where it matters the most: in their homes, in their streets, in their communities. Heat stress, drought, flood and more frequent storms are affecting the health and safety of urban populations. The question is not simply whether cities should adapt, but whether they will survive as places where people can or want to live, work and thrive if cities do not adapt. To keep the cities of the future livable, the team climate resilience conducts research and supports implementation of nature-based solutions. Blue green infrastructure is seen as a silent force of our cities. It fulfils an important function in urban climate adaptation, livability and biodiversity, especially now that the climate is changing. Knowledge and data about soil, water, climate and people form the basis of our work on sustainable adaptation solutions, now and in future.

Specific topics the team CR is working on:

• Blue green roofs
• Filtration for infiltration purifying contaminated street water or urban runoff before it is infiltrated into the soil
• Multifunctional Quay Walls – greening cities

Climate resilient rural landscapes

Climate change is also creating enormous challenges in the rural areas. We need to reduce the risks of floods, salinization, drought and heat stress, while producing sufficient and high-quality food and strengthening biodiversity. The climate resilience team is working on integrated spatial solutions to these challenges and uses nature-based strategies in the landscape for this, with water and soil as guiding principles. We use a landscape-driven approach in which the different functions of a landscape come together, and societal challenges are examined in conjunction. A landscape-driven approach facilitates the bringing together of different stakeholders from within and outside the area who work together with knowledge parties and governments on solutions to complex problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security.

Specific topics the team CR is working on:

• Netherlands 2120 Netherlands – elevating nature-based solutions
• Long-term visioning for landscape-based spatial planning
• Adaptation and transition pathways
• Nature based solutions for pre-purifying water

Climate services

Both in urban and rural landscapes, the team Climate Resilience works with the latest climate models and data, machine/deep learning and simulation models to provide information for resilient food systems, watersheds and ecosystems. By linking climate change data to other data (e.g. vegetation, groundwater), we support research on nature-based solutions that are future-proof under climate change conditions.

Specific topics the team CR is working on:

• Understanding impact of compound and cascading climatic risks
• Impact of climate risks on crop yield and food security
• Suitability mapping of crops and nature-based solutions
• Potential effect of climate adaptation strategies
• Capacity building in the use of climate data to support adaptation decision making

Teamleader: Annemarie Groot.

The Animal Ecology team conducts applied ecological research aimed at the protection, restoration and management of wild fauna (mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians). With our research we contribute to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. From DNA to landscape scale, we unravel ecological processes, relationships between species and interactions with environmental variables. We study the influence of human activities on ecosystems as well as human-wildlife conflicts such as nuisance and risks of spreading diseases. We work for a wide group of (international) clients.

Contact teamleader Marion Kluivers.

The mission of the Sustainable Soil Management team is to contribute to sustainable land use and good soil quality, to ensure efficient use of raw materials, mitigate climate change, and reduce nutrient losses in agriculture. In this way we contribute to sustainable agricultural production and a better soil, water and air quality. We conduct applied and integrated research on soil quality, circular agriculture, nitrogen and nature, climate and greenhouse gas emissions and water quality. Knowledge of soil chemistry, soil physics and agriculture forms the basis of our work. We work from laboratory scale to global scale for a broad group of (inter)national clients.

Contact teamleader Gert Jan Reinds.

Het team Earth observation and Environmental informatics draagt bij aan ruimtelijke competenties voor een duurzame wereld door remotesensing, drones, big data, open data, voorspellen van gewasopbrengsten, ecosysteemdiensten en geo-ICT.

Contact teamleader Sander Janssen.

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is a world leading centre of expertise for environmental risk assessment in the area of pesticides and other compounds. We take pride in our highly qualified staff and advanced laboratories, including unique outdoor test facilities. We develop models and conduct experimental research to predict the behaviour of organic contaminants in the environment, and to determine their effects on ecosystems. In addition, we offer consultancy and training on sustainable pesticide management in upcoming economies.

Contact teamleader Sara Ahrari.

Meet ROR, a dynamic team of interdisciplinary scientists committed to empowering regions, cities and areas to harmoniously develop and coexist with natural and social systems. We tackle economic and social challenges by applying cutting-edge scientific knowledge to real-world scenarios. Collaborating closely with partners our expertise spans diverse domains, ensuring solutions that align with the natural landscape, community needs, and economic viability.

Our expertise

Bridging nature and development

Our team excels at optimizing development in harmony with nature, whether it's enhancing the environment, revitalizing rural areas or advancing the bioeconomy. We craft innovative governance models and policy measures, closely monitoring their impact. Engaged in key projects, like the Dutch government's nitrogen policy, we're pioneers in aligning development with the natural world.

Transformative system shifts for a brighter future

ROR contributes to system transformation related to various challenges: from achieving climate neutrality and resilience to crafting nature-inclusive agricultural landscapes. We promote green economies, enhance urban development with green spaces, and enable sustainable land and water management. We create natural industrial zones and prioritize well-being and health through public involvement in natural development.

Our approach

At ROR we focus on the practical application of our knowledge:

• Research by Design: Making data accessible, exploring together the meaning of the data for an area, conducting scenario studies, and designing future visions for development based on the natural systems.
• Facilitation: promoting the development of shared narratives and supporting discussions on common visions and planning measures.
• Implementation support: Assisting in implementing measures, including novel governance and business models.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Reflective learning ensures effective collaboration, turning envisioned futures into reality.

We can support the sustainable transformation in your area

Reach out to us for support in the transformative journey of your area towards a sustainable and prosperous future. Together, we redefine possibilities for regions, cities, and areas worldwide. Experience the synergy between human development and natural systems, where ROR helps you to shaping the way to a harmonious world.

Contact teamleader Bertram de Rooij.

The Vegetation and Landscape Ecology team consists of about 20 people and conducts research from an ecological perspective on opportunities for conservation, restoration, development and sustainable use of vegetation and landscapes. We focus on how management, policy, and climate affect ecological processes, and our advice and products focus on the consequences for biodiversity, specific policy objectives, and ecosystem services.

Contact teamleader Marta Pérez-Soba.

Global challenges around food production and water quantity and quality are increasing. Land degradation and too much, too little, too dirty water are influencing not only agricultural production, but also livelihoods and biodiversity globally. The Water and Food team researches solutions to sustainably increase the value of land and water resources for food production and improve the quality of freshwater ecosystems. We develop strategies to combat challenges of water and food security in the light of climate change and biodiversity loss. Our team of researchers have various scientific and cultural backgrounds, enabling a multi-disciplinary approach in finding more sustainable solutions. With part of the team based in Uganda and Spain, we work on water and food systems around the globe. We offer core expertise to assist governments, agencies and businesses in the following themes:

• Smart agricultural water management: making the most efficient use of green (rainfall) and blue (irrigation) water in order to produce enough food for all with the minimal environmental and social impacts, through the assessment, validation and adoption of integrated water-related innovations
• Deltas under pressure: Understanding how in a delta context, where land meets water, and with ever changing rural-urban linkages, adaptive delta management can take place. Understanding the complex current situation and using a systematic approach with vision, strategies and scenarios, to explore the future situation and transition pathways towards that uncertain future.
• Integrated modelling and the water, energy, food Nexus: understanding the intersectoral relationship between water and food production systems including the pivotal role of climate change among other factors to identify measures for maintaining and enhancing food security now and in the future
• Sustainable land and soil management: contributing to resilient agro-ecosystems by fostering land stewardship and sustainable farming through integrated approaches and multistakeholder engagement.
• Salinization in agriculture: understanding and identifying salinization in different ecological contexts, scales, and temporal levels. These scales range from global to field level, while the temporal level ranges from historical to future levels. Next to this, also dealing with salinization solutions in water and soil management are considered at the field level to adapt to its effects.
• Freshwater ecology: developing scientific knowledge that supports water managers and policy makers in restoration of stream, lake and wetland ecosystems, monitoring and assessment of ecological water quality, and bioremediation applications.

Contact teamleader Karin Andeweg.

Forests worldwide are under pressure due to climate change, biodiversity loss and competition for land use. At the same time, forests play an important role for our society through sequestration of CO2 and production of wood. Therefore, there is increasing attention for the state of our forests.

The research agenda of Team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems is focused on sustainably managing, using and expanding forests and their ecosystem services. The team carries out research on national, European and global scale. The main expertises are forest modelling, climate smart forestry, green house gas inventory, urban green and tree genetic resources.

Contact teamleader Eric Arets.