Laboratory for Ecological Genetics
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In short- eDNA monitoring
- Population genetics
- Non-invasive methods
- Biodiversity assessment
- Supporting nature conservation
The Laboratory for Ecological Genetics develops and applies innovative DNA-based techniques for monitoring biodiversity and wildlife populations. By combining advanced genetic analyses with ecological expertise, the laboratory supports research, nature management, and policy development for a wide range of public and private stakeholders.
What can you do at the Laboratory for Ecological Genetics?
The Laboratory for Ecological Genetics enables organizations to monitor biodiversity, species, and populations without disturbing animals or ecosystems. Using environmental DNA (eDNA), population genetics, and genomic approaches, we assess species presence, distribution, abundance, genetic diversity, and origin.
Our facility supports projects related to nature restoration, species conservation, biodiversity monitoring, ecological connectivity, invasive species management, wildlife forensics, and nature-positive agricultural transitions. By combining specialized laboratory infrastructure, molecular expertise, and field ecology knowledge, we generate insights at spatial and temporal scales that are often unattainable through traditional monitoring methods. We also actively explore the integration of DNA-based techniques with AI-supported image and acoustic recognition technologies and remote sensing.
eDNA-based biomonitoring
For more than ten years, we have been improving and applying eDNA metabarcoding to detect biodiversity in water and soil samples, using our dedicated eDNA extraction facility. Current work focuses on the study DNA samples of even lower quantity (e.g. airborne eDNA) and/or quality (e.g. sedimentary ancient DNA), using innovative approaches like metagenomics and ddPCR.
Conservation genetics
Our conservation genetic research began in 2002 with the non-invasive genetic monitoring of the Dutch otter population – a long-running project that continues to deliver essential insights today. Since then, we have expanded into a broad portfolio of population genetic research addressing inbreeding risks, demography, migration patterns and genetic origin detection for a wide range of wildlife species, increasingly using advanced genomic approaches.
Publications
Air
Validating airborne eDNA using manual surveys, acoustic monitoring and camera traps to detect birds and mammals in an agroforestry setting.
Warmer, F. E. M., Polling, M., Buij, R., Laros, I., Visser, T. & de Groot, G. A., Nov 2025, In: Environmental DNA. 7, 6, e70222. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70222
Continuous daily sampling of airborne eDNA detects all vertebrate species identified by camera traps.
Polling, M., Buij, R., Laros, I. & de Groot, A., 1 Jul 2024, In: Environmental DNA. 6, 4, e591. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.591
The aerobiome uncovered: Multi-marker metabarcoding reveals potential drivers of turn-over in the full microbial community in the air.
De Groot, G. A., Geisen, S. A., Jasper Wubs, E. R., Meulenbroek, L., Laros, I., Snoek, B., Lammertsma, D. R., Hansen, L. H. & Slim, P. A., Sept 2021, In: Environment International. 154, 8 p., 106551.
Water
Cross-comparing different protocols for DNA metabarcoding of freshwater macroinvertebrates.
Van der Lee, G. H., Polling, M., Laros, I. & Verdonschot, R. C. M., 2026, In: Hydrobiologia. 853, 4, p. 1217-1231
From DNA to diagnostics: A case study using macroinvertebrate metabarcoding to assess the effectiveness of restoration measures in a Dutch stream.
Van der Lee, G. H., Polling, M., van der Laan, I., Kodde, L. & Verdonschot, R., 1 May 2024, In: Science of the Total Environment. 923, 171413
Tracking biodiversity in changing Arctic waters: insights from eDNA metabarcoding in Svalbard.
Van den Heuvel-Greve, M. J., Polling, M., de Groot, A., Kodde, L., Mulder, I. M., Verdaat, H., Renaud, P. E., Schrøder-Nielsen, A., Torma, M., de Boer, H. J. & Mauvisseau, Q., 22 Apr 2026, In: Polar Biology. 49, 2, 44.
Soil
Bodembiodiversiteit beter begrijpen met eDNA-analyse: Toepassingen ten behoeve van gezonde ecosystemen.
De Groot, G. A., Geisen, S. A. & Janse, I., May 2023, In: Bodem. 2023, 1, p. 14-16
Beyond pH and macronutrients: Soluble manganese and habitat heterogeneity shape multi-taxon soil biodiversity across a wide regional environmental gradient.
Olmo-Gilabert R., M. Pons, M. Polling, G.A. de Groot, L. Comas, M. Fernández-Martínez & X. Domene, 21 May 2026. Geoderma 471, 117858.
Cessation of grazing causes biodiversity loss and homogenization of soil food webs.
Schrama, M., Quist, C., de Groot, A., Cieraad, E., Ashworth, D., Laros, I., Hestbjerg Hansen, L., Leff, J., Fierer, N. & Bardgett, R., 29 Nov 2023, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 290, 2011.
Effecten van steenmeel op bodemleven in droge eikenbossen.
Bloem, J., Polling, M., de Groot, G. A., Laros, I., de Jong, J. J., Verbaarschot, E., Weijters, M., van Duinen, G.-J. & Leon van den, B., Nov 2022, In: Vakblad Natuur Bos Landschap. 19, 189, p. 30-33.
A methodological framework to embrace soil biodiversity.
Geisen, S., Briones, M. J. I., Gan, H., Behan-Pelletier, V. M., Friman, V. P., de Groot, G. A., Hannula, S. E., Lindo, Z., Philippot, L., Tiunov, A. V. & Wall, D. H., Sept 2019, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 136, 107536.
Aboveground insects
Multi-species productive grasslands offer advantages over permanent grasslands for arthropod conservation, but preserving semi-natural grasslands remains essential.
Visser, T., Stip, A., Polling, M., Geerts, R., Janssen, P., van Eekeren, N., te Beest, D., Wehrens, R., van Grunsven, R. & Lammertsma, D., 2026, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 63, 1, 12 p., e70231
Productivity-dependent effects of adapted mowing regimes on arthropod communities in roadside grasslands.
Bakker, W., Fizal, F. I. M., de Groot, G.A., Jansen, C., Mei, Z., Mitran, V., Ozinga, W., Polling, M., Scheper, J. & Vergeer, P., 23 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 63, 1, 14 p., e70289
Mixed plant and arthropod biodiversity responses to solar park establishment on former agricultural lands.
Kocsis, T., de Groot, A., van Beersum, F., Boer, J., Dimmers, W., Laros, I., Lammertsma, D., Polling, M., Schnerch, B., Villing, N., WallisDeVries, M. F. & Fijen, T., 2025, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 62, 11, p. 3078-3091
Ancient DNA
Archaeology meets environmental genomics: implementing sedaDNA in the study of the human past.
Özdoğan, K. T., Gelabert, P., Hammers, N., Altınışık, N. E., de Groot, G.A. & Plets, G., 28 Jun 2024, In: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. 16, 7, 108.
DNA of centuries‑old timber can reveal its origin.
Akhmetzyanov, L., Copini, P., Sass-Klaassen, U. G. W., Schroeder, H. C., de Groot, G. A., Laros, I. & Daly, A., 23 Nov 2020, In: Scientific Reports. 10, 20316.
Other
eDNA biodiversity from space: predicting soil bacteria and fungi alpha diversity in forests using DESIS satellite remote sensing.
Skidmore, A. K., Abdullah, H., Siegenthaler, A., Wang, T., Adiningrat, D. P., Rousseau, M., Duan, Y., Torres-Rodriguez, A., Heurich, M., Chariton, A. A., Darvishzadeh, R., Neinavaz, E. & de Groot, G. A., 20 Mar 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Journal of Remote Sensing, 1–31.
Temperate tree microbiomes: divergent soil and phyllosphere microbial communities share few but dominant taxa.
Siegenthaler, A., Skidmore, A. K., de Groot, A., Laros, I., Rousseau, M. & Duan, Y., Mar 2024, In: Plant and Soil. 496, 1-2, p. 319-340.
Integrated Biomonitoring. De Groot, G.A. 22 Dec 2023. KennisOnline Magazine.
Wat eet een zwerfkat op Neeltje Jans? Inzicht in de aanwezigheid van kustbroedvogels en andere beschermde soorten in het dieet via morfologische en genetische analyse van kattenkeutels
De Groot, A., Teunizen, M., van Leeuwen, M., Jansman, H., Lammertsma, D., Laros, I., Polling, M. & Laar, M., 2022, Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research. 41 p. (Rapport / Wageningen Environmental Research; no. 3188)
Population dynamics and inbreeding
Herintroductie van de Europese otter in Nederland: inzicht in de populatieontwikkeling op basis van 20 jaar genetische monitoring.
De Groot G.A., H.A.H. Jansman, D. Lammertsma, J. Bovenschen, H.P. Koelewijn, A.T. Kuiters.
Status van de Nederlandse otterpopulatie: Genetische variatie, mortaliteit en infrastructurele knelpunten in 2020.
Kuiters, A. T., de Groot, G. A., Lammertsma, D. R., Jansman, H. A. H. & Bovenschen, J., 2021, Wageningen: WOT Natuur & Milieu. 62 p. (WOt-technical report; no. 211)
Decades of population genetic research reveal the need for harmonization of molecular markers: The grey wolf Canis lupus as a case study.
De Groot, G. A., Nowak, C., Skrbinšek, T., Andersen, L. W., Aspi, J., Fumagalli, L., Godinho, R., Harms, V., Jansman, H. A. H., Liberg, O., Marucco, F., Mysłajek, R. W., Nowak, S., Pilot, M., Randi, E., Reinhardt, I., Śmietana, W., Szewczyk, M., Taberlet, P. & Vilà, C. & 1 others, , 2016, In: Mammal Review. 46, 1, p. 44-59
The return of wolves to the Netherlands : a fact-finding study.
Jansman, H. A. H., Mergeay, J., van der Grift, E. A., de Groot, G. A., Lammertsma, D. R., Van Den Berge, K., Ottburg, F. G. W. A., Gouwy, J., Schuiling, R., van der Veken, T. & Nowak, C., Sept 2021, Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research. 159 p. (Report / Wageningen Environmental Research; no. 3107)
De Gladde slang (Coronella austriaca) in Zuid-Limburg en aangrenzende buitenlandse gebieden.
Felix, R., Verhees, J. J. F., de Groot, G. A. & Paulssen, L. C. J., Feb 2023, In: Natuurhistorisch Maandblad. 112, 2, p. 63-71
Inteelt onder Sallandse korhoenders : de genetische gevolgen van een kleine populatieomvang.
de Groot, G. A., Jansman, H. A. H., Bovenschen, J., Laros, I., Meyer-Lucht, Y. & Hoglund, J., 2014, Wageningen: Alterra. 47 p. (Alterra-rapport; no. 2599).
Migration and origin
Bronherkenning voor muskusratten op basis van ruimtelijke genetica: Een genetische kaart voor muskusratten in Noord-Nederland en een casestudie voor het detecteren van migratie in en naar Friesland.
De Groot, A., Laar, M. & van der Grift, E. A., 2023, Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research. 41 p. (Rapport / Wageningen Environmental Research; no. 3294)
Populatie-genetische nulmeting heikikker in de Vechtstreek (Noord-Holland) : en advies voor een studie naar de effecten van aangelegde faunapassages voor heikikker en ringslang.
Van der Grift, E. A., Ottburg, F. G. W. A., Lammertsma, D. R., Laros, I. & de Groot, G. A., 2021, Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research. 49 p. (Rapport / Wageningen Environmental Research; no. 3115).
Natuurverbinding Zwaluwenberg: Gebruik door mens en dier.
Van de Grift, E. A., de Groot, G. A., Ottburg, F. G. W. A., Jansman, H. A. H., Bovenschen, J., Laros, I., Waanders, M., Willemsen, J. & Denayère, T., Apr 2024, Wageningen: Wageningen Environmental Research. 381 p. (Rapport / Wageningen Environmental Research; no. 3335)
Fragmentation and Translocation Distort the Genetic Landscape of Ungulates: Red Deer in the Netherlands.
De Jong, J. F., van Hooft, P., Megens, H. J., Crooijmans, R. P. M. A., de Groot, G. A., Pemberton, J. M., Huisman, J., Bartoš, L., Iacolina, L., van Wieren, S. E., Ydenberg, R. C. & Prins, H. H. T., 29 Oct 2020, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 8, 535715.
Herkomst en migratie van Nederlandse edelherten en wilde zwijnen: een basiskaart van de genetische patronen in Nederland en omgeving.
de Groot, G. A., Spek, G. J., Bovenschen, J., Laros, I., van Meel, T. & Jansman, H. A. H., Jun 2016, Wageningen: Alterra. 71 p. (Alterra-rapport; no. 2724).
Hidden dispersal in an urban world: genetic analysis reveals occasional long-distance dispersal and limited spatial substructure among Dutch pine martens.
De Groot, G. A., Hofmeester, T. R., la Haye, M. J. J., Jansman, H. A. H., Perez-Haro, M. I. & Koelewijn, H. P., 2016, In: Conservation Genetics. 17, 1, p. 111-123 17.
Wildlife forensics
Combined genetic and chemical methods boost the precision of tracing illegal timber in Central Africa.
Boeschoten, L. E., Rocha Venancio Meyer-Sand, B., Boom, A., Dipelet Bouka, G. U., Ciliane-Madikou, J. C. U., Engone Obiang, N. L., Guieshon-Engongoro, M., de Groot, A., Loumeto, J. J., Mbika, D.-M. M. F., Moundounga, C. G., Ndangani, R. M. D., Ndiade-Bourobou, D., Sass-Klaassen, U., Smulders, M. J. M., Tassiamba, S. N., Tchamba, M. T., Toumba-Paka, B. B. L., Vlam, M. & Zanguim, H. T. & 2 others, , 15 Oct 2025, In: Communications Earth & Environment. 6, 789.
Genetic differences among Cedrela odorata sites in Bolivia provide limited potential for fine-scale timber tracing.
Paredes-Villanueva, K., de Groot, G. A., Laros, I., Bovenschen, J., Bongers, F. & Zuidema, P. A., 1 Jun 2019, In: Tree Genetics and Genomes. 15, 3, 33.
Developing forensic tools for an African timber: Regional origin is revealed by genetic characteristics, but not by isotopic signature.
Vlam, M., de Groot, A., Boom, A., Copini, P., Laros, I., Veldhuijzen, K., Zakamdi, D. & Zuidema, P. A., 1 Apr 2018, In: Biological Conservation. 220, p. 262-271
The first wolf found in the Netherlands in 150 years was the victim of a wildlife crime.
Gravendeel, B. ; Groot, G.A. de; Kik, M. ; Beentjes, K.; Bergman, H. ; Caniglia, R. ; Cremers, H. ; Fabbri, E. ; Groenenberg, D.; Grone, A. ; Groot Bruinderink, G.W.T.A. ; Font, I. ; Hakhof, J. ; Harms, V. ; Jansman, H.A.H. ; Janssen, R. ; Lammertsma, D.R. ; Laros, I. ; Linnartz, L. ; Marel, D. van der; Mulder, J.L. ; Mije, S. van der; Nieman, A.M. ; Nowak, C. ; Randi, E. ; Rijks, M. ; Speksnijder, A.; Vonhof, H.B. (2013) Lutra 56 (2). - p. 93 - 109.
Badger hair in shaving brushes comes from protected Eurasian badgers.
Domingo-Roura, X. ; Marmi, J. ; Ferrando, A. ; López-Giráldez, F. ; Macdonald, D.W. ; Jansman, H.A.H. (2006) Biological Conservation 128 (3). - p. 425 - 430.
Who is this facility for?
The facility serves government agencies, nature conservation organizations, NGOs, water authorities, land managers, environmental consultancies, businesses, and research institutions seeking reliable biodiversity data, genetic analyses and innovative monitoring solutions for environmental, ecological and conservation challenges.
Do you have a question?
Interested in exploring how DNA-based techniques can support your research, monitoring programme, or policy challenge? Get in touch with our expert Arjen de Groot.