Project
Ungulates as forest engineers
Wild ungulates are known to be keystone species and forest engineers as they can modify the environment through browsing, trampling and fraying. However, on the northern hemisphere ungulates are expanding in range and density due to abandonment of agricultural fields, reduced competition with other animals and absence of top predators, creating a great pressure on natural systems.
With a newtork of animal exclosures, camera traps, laser scanners and decomposition bags, we aim to understand the effects of wild ungulates on forest structure, composition and functioning. To achieve this, we are actively monitoring the forest across the Veluwe region with the support of different stakeholders.
Our results will not only provide additional understanding of animal plant interactions in temperate forests but will be essential for designing accurate and effective policies that help conserve temperate forests and its biodiversity.
MSc thesis topics
- The role of wild ungulates on Dutch temperate forests (vacant)
- The impact of wild ungulates on tree species composition under different light regimens - Christopher Maug (ongoing)
- Cascading effects promoted by wild ungulates on the decomposition of Pine, Oak and Birch litter - Laxmi Moktan (completed 2018)
- Influence of ungulate density on tree regeneration in Dutch temperate forest- Xuqing Li (completed 2018)
- Explaining heterogeneity of forest use by wildlife across the Veluwe - Palma Iacobelli (completed 2018)
- The effect of succession and wild ungulates on the functional and species composition in Dutch temperate forests - Mohammad Golam Kibria (completed 2017)
