Past as key to the Future
As long as humans live on the Earth, they have altered the global landscape, through hunting, gathering and agriculture. Kees Klein Goldewijk describes in his thesis a database of historic land use: HYDE. Both the dynamics of global population and the enormous expansion of agricultural land are estimated for the past 12 000 years, roughly the period since the emergence of (sedentary) agriculture.
What's Bonaire's Nature Worth?
With more than 50% of the economy dependent on healthy ecosystems, Bonaire has a vast interest in managing nature in a sustainable manner. The first step in moving towards a greener economy is to value the importance of the main ecosystem services provided by Bonaire's nature. In an all-encompassing study, IVM researchers and partners analyzed the links between the local economy and the ecology of the island. The valuable insights not only generated a series of informative reports but also illustrated its findings through a breathtaking documentary.
Are trace elements from iron-ore mining influencing fish health in a tropical coastal lagoon in Brazil?
In her PhD study Adriana Alves Pereira has performed integrated field studies on environmental levels, bioavailability, biological exposure, and effects of trace elements in lagoons near an iron-ore mine in Brazil. The study includes assessment of exposure, bioaccumulation, trophic transfer of trace elements in invertebrates and fish, biomarkers for oxidative stress, as well as public health risks due to fish consumption.
NWO VIDI grant for Philipp Pattberg
Philipp Pattberg has been awarded a prestigious VIDI grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) to study institutional fragmentation in the areas on biodiversity, climate, and ocean governance. With this grant NWO gives talented researchers the opportunity to develop their own line of research and to build up their own research group. Each scientist receives a maximum amount of 800,000 Euros.
Frank Biermann appointed as academic director, MSc Environment and Resource Management
Frank Biermann has been appointed per 1 October 2012 as academic director of IVM's flagship teaching programme, the international MSc "Environment and Resource Management" (ERM). This one-year programme is designed to give students a multidisciplinary theoretical understanding of environmental issues as well as a thorough grasp of different tools to assess environmental problems.
Frans Berkhout stepped down as director of IVM
By mutual agreement Prof. Frans Berkhout has stepped down as director of IVM. Frans Berkhout was appointed in 2004 at the VU as professor of Innovation and Sustainability and as director of the IVM. He has served in this function for almost nine years, and was reappointed twice. In this period, IVM has grown substantially and has further improved its international standing as one of Europe's most prominent environmental research institutions.