dr.ir. J (Jan) den Ouden

My main interest is in the sustainable management of forest resources. My main concern is to figure out ways to continuously harvest wood as a renewable product from forests while maintaining the integrity of the forest ecosystem and allow for a diverse and attractive forest.

I wish to contribute to our understanding of how forest ecosystems work, ranging from the physiology of trees, through growth reactions to thinning, to the long-term successional dynamics of our (semi)natural woodlands.

I believe that the challenges facing the management or natural environment must be met through effective dissemination of scientific knowledge to the entire community of stakeholders, both laymen and professionals. I therefore consider it my main task to inspire students, professionals and the public in finding ways to take decisions on the management of forests that allow its continuous use for future generations while maintaining a habitat for the rich diversity of species.