IZWO Research Groups


Select the research group of your choice.

[Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea and the Scheldt Estuary] [Center for Micro and Trace Analysis] [Chemical Oceanography] [Institute for Forestry and Game Management] [Institute for Nature Conservation] [Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences] [Laboratory for Ichthyology and Osteology] [Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center] [Research Team Ecophysiology and Biochemistry] [Laboratory for Biological Research in Aquatic Pollution] [Laboratory of Ecology and Aquaculture] [Laboratory of Ecology and Systematics] [Marine Botany] [Zoology Research Group] [Renard Centre of Marine Geology] [Marine Biology Section, Zoology Institute]


BEHEERSEENHEID MATHEMATISCH MODEL NOORDZEE EN SCHELDE-ESTUARIUM (MANAGEMENT UNIT OF THE MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE NORTH SEA AND THE SCHELDT ESTUARY)

Dr. ir. G. Pichot - BMM - Gulledelle 100 - B-1200 Brussel, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-773 21 22 - Fax. +32-(0)2-770 69 72

The Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea and the Scheldt Estuary (MUMM) is a department of the Belgian Ministry of Public Health and Environment affiliated to IHE, a State research institute. The unit's responsibilities lie in the area of marine environmental protection and resource assessment; they include:

MUMM is responsible for implementing national and international legislation pertaining to the protection of the marine environment, e.g. the Oslo and Paris Conventions for the prevention of the pollution of the sea, the CEC Guidelines, etc. It is the licensing authority for waste dumping and incineration at sea (both now terminated). It serves in an advisory capacity in the national counter-pollution contingency arrangements and coordinates environmental surveillance in case of marine incidents.


CENTRUM VOOR MIKRO- EN SPORENANALYSE (CENTER FOR MICRO- AND TRACE ANALYSIS)

Prof. Dr. R. Van Grieken - Centrum voor Mikro- en Sporenanalyse - Departement Scheikunde - Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen - Universiteitsplein 1 - B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)3-820 23 62 - Fax. +32-(0)3-820 23 76

The Department of Chemistry of the University of Antwerp disposes of an extensive infrastructure for surface-, micro-, and trace-analysis. The available analysis techniques include X-ray fluorescence, neutron activation, spark-source and glow-discharge mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, ion chromatography, stripping voltammetry, electron microprobe analysis, laser microprobe mass analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, etc. In addition to analytical methodological research, these instruments are used in applied projects, mostly related to environmental problems.

In the field of chemical oceanography, attention has been focussed on single particle analysis of marine aerosols and estuarine and marine suspensions, and to heavy metal contamination of sediments. The behaviour of suspended particle types has been followed through different estuaries and as a function of depth in different marine environments. The equilibria and kinetics controlling the adsorption and mobilization of cadmium and other heavy metals has been studied. A mapping of heavy metal pollution in the Belgian North Sea and Scheldt estuary has been carried out. Marine aerosol types have been investigated in polluted and truly remote environments. The interaction of seasalt aerosols with various acid and basic airborne components has been studied. The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in the North Sea has been measured and quantified via aerosol sampling from ships, platforms and aircrafts. Also the influence of titaniumdioxide waste and alkaline aluminium waste on seawater chemistry has been examined in detail.


CHEMISCHE OCEANOGRAFIE (CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY)

Prof. Dr. W. Baeyens - Laboratorium voor Analytische Chemie - Vrije Universiteit Brussel -Pleinlaan 2 - B-1050 Brussel, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-629 32 63 - Fax. +32-(0)2-629 32 74

The Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry is involved in research on biogeochemical processes in estuarine and coastal systems as well as in open oceanic systems. Research topics include: 1) early diagenesis in sediments of the Belgian coastal zone; 2) the metal distribution in suspended and sedimentary particulate matter of the Scheldt Estuary; 3) the methylation of mercury in sediments of the Scheldt Estuary; 4) the biogeochemistry of barium in the Southern Ocean; 5) the study of new and regenerated production in open ocean systems, including the Southern Ocean.


INSTITUUT VOOR BOSBOUW EN WILDBEHEER (INSTITUTE FOR FORESTRY AND GAME MANAGEMENT)

Dr. C. Belpaire - Ministerie Vlaamse Gemeenschap - AMINAL - Duboislaan 14 - B-1560 Hoeilaart, Belgium - Tel. and Fax.: +32-(0)2-657 03 86

The scientific research is focused on forestry, fish stock and game management. Research items are defined according to questions from the sectors forestry, inland fisheries, nature conservation and hunting, but also from other research institutions. Regional and international policy are other important factors.

Section Forestry

Forest and forestry research focusses on the following themes: forest ecology, forest development; selection and breeding of tree species; site research; forest protection; wood technology and quality

Section Game Management

Division Inland Fisheries and Fish Culture

The main aims are conservation and improvement of aquatic habitats and the development of ecologically sound and diversified fish stocks. Fisheries policy and aquatic habitat management implies studies to develop knowledge on freshwater fish populations in Flanders and on the factors influencing fish stocks.

Research themes involved are:

1. Analysis of fish stocks in Flanders: a geographic monitoring system; inventory of fish stocks and distribution of species; dynamics of eel populations in Flanders

2. Pisciculture: research into breeding, farming and (re)introduction of endangered and/or ecological important species

3. Fish pathology

4. Fish stock planning and management: amelioration of the structural quality of the aquatic habitats; evaluation of effects of biotope improvement and sanitation; biomanipulation of fish populations and habitat restoration; conservation, development and restoration of fish stocks

Division Game Management and Hunting

The research concerned wants to stipulate the possibilities and limitations for hunting game species and the management of certain bird and mammal populations. Possibilities for sustainable hunting, limitation of game damage and protection of native species and their habitats are the most important aims.

The following themes of research are focused on: research on populations of game species; management of roedeer populations based on ecologically founded shooting plans; monitoring native mustelids and research on their ecology; monitoring and management of expansive and harmful species and exotic species; management of biotopes with regard to hunting and nature conservation.


INSTITUUT VOOR NATUURBEHOUD (INSTITUTE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION)

Prof. Dr. P. Meire - Kliniekstraat 25 - B-1070 Brussel, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-558-18-20 - Fax. +32-(0)2-558-18-05

As a research institute the Flemish Institute for Nature Conservation has the following official tasks :

Most of the scientific research can be situated in the field of applied ecology. Following disciplines are represented: botany, ornithology, herpethology, invertebrates, geography/hydrology, landscape ecology, and nature management. Environmental approach as to pollution, waste deposits, etc. is restricted to the ecological effects of changing habitats.

In addition to the research programme much time is devoted to ad hoc reports, general information and advice, especially on demand of the own administration responsible for nature conservation. Staff members of the Institute participate in several governmental commissions dealing with administrative matters, legislation and general conservation policy.


KONINKLIJK BELGISCH INSTITUUT VOOR NATUURWETENSCHAPPEN (ROYAL BELGIAN INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL SCIENCES)

Dr. F. Fiers - Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen - Dienst Recente Vertebraten - Vautierstraat 29 - B-1040 Brussel, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-627 42 80 - Fax. +32-(0)2-648 04 75

The current marine scientific research carried out comprises the study of the composition and origin of marine and estuarine sediments mainly of the North Sea and estuary of the Western Scheldt. The systematics, ecology and zoogeography of marine harpacticoid copepods and polychaetous annelids are investigated. Recently an international program started on the impact of oil-pollution on the benthic meiofauna in tropical waters.


LABORATORIA VOOR ICHTHYOLOGIE EN OSTEOLOGIE (LABORATORY FOR ICHTHYOLOGY AND OSTEOLOGY), KONINKLIJK MUSEUM VOOR MIDDEN-AFRIKA, TERVUREN

Dr. G. Teugels - Laboratoria voor Ichthyologie en Osteologie - Koninklijk Museum Midden-Afrika - Steenweg op Leuven 15 - B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-769 52 11 - Fax. +32-(0)-767 02 42

The Laboratory for Ichthyology studies the biodiversity of African fresh and brackish water fishes. This includes inventarisation, systematic research (morphology and osteology techniques and genetics), ecology and zoogeography. The influences of the enormous deforestation, construction of dams and, pollution (e.g. the oil industry along the coasts) upon the fish stocks are investigated. Nowadays projects in Ivory Coast, Cameroon and around lake Tanganyika are being conducted. Freshwater aquaculture research, specific for the African situation constitutes another research topic (Dr. Guy Teugels).

The laboratory for Osteology functions as a satellite within the IUAP-project no. 28 'Interdisciplinary Archeology'. This research includes the study of animal remains found in archeological sites in Belgium and other countries. Remains of fish dating from late paleolithicum until post medieval times from sites of Flanders and Wallonia have been studied since 1990. This allows to evaluate the importance of fresh and marine fish through time. Data about the rise and the economic importance of landward export of North Sea fish, indications towards overfishing and pollution, and paleozoological data, especially from anadromous fish, are collected. In some cases, well dated otoliths allow for the determination of the growth of commercial fish in earlier times. (Dr. Wim Van Neer).


LABORATORIUM VOOR AQUAKULTUUR EN ARTEMIA REFERENCE CENTER (LABORATORY OF AQUACULTURE AND ARTEMIA REFERENCE CENTER)

Prof. Dr. P. Sorgeloos - Laboratorium voor Aquakultuur & Artemia Reference Center

Universiteit Gent - Rozier 44 - B-9000 Gent, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)9-264 37 54 - Fax. +32-(0)9-264 41 93

Research and development

Characterization of ancient Artemia cysts; influence of (n-3) fatty acids and vitamins on the larval development of marine fish and shrimp/prawn; controlled production of Artemia cysts: manipulation of the biochemical composition of the produced cysts; study of diapause mechanisms; filtration biology of Artemia, use of yeast products as algal substitute in the feeding of Artemia and other filter-feeders; use of Brachionus and Artemia as carriers for biomedication of fish and crustacean larvae; start-feeding of tropical marine fish species; intensive culture of Artemia, potential use of palmoil mill effluents as food source; development of suitable enrichment diets for Brachionus and Artemia in the culture of halibut larvae; development of enrichment and substitution products for the larval nutrition of marine fish and shellfish species.

Training and extension services

Organization of international courses and workshops on Artemia production and larviculture of marine fish and shellfish. Consultancy missions for national and international aid organizations. Cooperation projects for the EEC in Egypt, Vietnam and the People's Republic of China.

Quality control

Evaluation and certification of the quality of Artemia cysts for use in aquaculture hatcheries.


ONDERZOEKSGROEP ECOFYSIOLOGIE EN BIOCHEMIE (RESEARCH TEAM ECOPHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY)

Prof. Dr. W. Decleir - Onderzoeksgroep Ecofysiologie en Biochemie - Universitair Centrum Antwerpen - Dep. Biologie - Groenenborgerlaan 171 - B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)3-218 03 47 - Fax. +32-(0)3-218 04 97

Study of the respiration and of the respiratory pigments of different Artemia populations

The influence of external parameters such as temperature, partial oxygen pressure and salinity on the respiration is studied. Artemia is a respiratory regulator which has the ability to adapt to low pO2-values. It is shown that the hypoxic conditions also influence the respiratory pigments (as well the total Hb-concentration as the proportional composition of the three Hb-types HbI, II, and III).

The influence of temperature, salinity, hypoxia, and allosteric agents on the respiratory pigments is studied in different Artemia populations belonging to different species. Significant differences are found between the physiological characteristics of these populations and species.

Light induced hatching of Artemia cysts

A correlation exists between light intensity, the time during which cysts are exposed to light, and the hatching percentage. The mechanism of light-induced hatching is related to a photoreceptor system which is very probably a haem pigment localized in the membranes of the gastrula. The haempigment is possibly protected by haematine which is present in the cyst shell. The photoreceptor system shows oxidation/reduction reactions resulting in the activation of the enzyme trehalase from its inactive to its active state. Consequently trehalose can be converted to glycerol. This is accompanied by an increase of respiration and production of ATP.

Ecophysiological effects of transition metals by aquatic organisms in estuary waters

Some heavy metals such as iron, copper, zinc, etc. which are called essential metals, fulfil, within certain limits of concentration, an important role in the metabolism of living organisms. Other metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, etc. are not essential, they are toxic. As a consequence of human activities the concentration of all these transition metals has increased as well in the abiotic as in the biotic components of the environment. The increase in the aquatic environments of non-essential metals, and also the increase of some essential metals, such as copper and zinc, damages development and structure of living organisms.

The relation between the chemical speciation of various metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Al) and the biological availability and toxicity are studied. The uptake and accumulation of these metals are followed in function of time at different metal concentrations. The range of the applied metal concentrations is correlated to naturally occurring values. The effects on important biological functions (energetic metabolism, gill function) and on the biochemical and histological aspects of several tissues are studied. Next to the laboratory work, organisms occurring in naturally (contaminated or not contaminated) systems will be investigated.


LABORATORIUM VOOR BIOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK VAN WATERVERONTREINIGING (LABORATORY FOR BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN AQUATIC POLLUTION)

Prof. Dr. G. Persoone - Prof. Dr. N. De Pauw - Laboratorium voor Biologisch Onderzoek van Waterverontreiniging - Universiteit Gent - J. Plateaustraat 22 - B-9000 Gent, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)9-264 37 68 - Fax. +32-(0)9-264 41 99

At present, the continuous availability of test organisms is still one of the major problems in ecological testing. Maintenance of healthy cultures in sufficient numbers throughout the year, is associated with biological and technological problems and has substantial financial implications. The continuous availability of dry cysts of the brine shrimp Artemia, from which nauplii can be hatched in 24h, is a major asset for routine use of this species in marine ecotoxicology, in comparison with other aquatic test organisms since it eliminates the need for culturing a live stock. The purpose of this study is to review the possibilities, the limitations and the role of the brine shrimp Artemia as a test organism in marine ecotoxicology.

Although a gradual increase in the use of the brine shrimp for bioassay purposes has been noted over the years, none of the various methodologies used was acceptable as a standard method. Considering the need for simple and reliable routine tests for the marine environment, a standardized acute toxicity test with brine shrimp nauplii has been worked out and is presently used in many laboratories for routine testing of chemicals and effluents; this bioassay is now under consideration for acceptance as an ASTM standard test.

The many advantages of Artemia as a test organism encouraged us to look into various sublethal criteria such as hatchability, food uptake, phototaxis, growth and reproduction in order to work out standardized acute and (sub)chronic tests for routine bioassays. In order to avoid variations in results due to the use of different geographical strains of brine shrimp, a stock of "Reference Artemia Cysts" is kept at the laboratory, samples of which can be obtained upon request. The different test methodologies are critically evaluated and the usefulness of the various test criteria is examined.


LABORATORIUM VOOR ECOLOGIE EN AQUAKULTUUR (LABORATORY OF ECOLOGY AND AQUACULTURE)

Prof. Dr. F. Ollevier - Laboratorium voor Ecologie en Aquakultuur - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Naamsestraat 59 - B-3000 Leuven, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)16-32 39 66 - Fax. +32-(0)16-32 45 75

Marine research at the Laboratory of Ecology and Aquaculture (University of Leuven) focusses on scientific issues concerning intensive and industrial aquaculture of marine and euryhaline fishes, e.g. seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Besides the zootechnical aspects of aquaculture, we also cover water quality, food technology, ecophysiology, bacteriology, parasitology, endocrinology and genetics.

Marine ecological research deals with the investigation of the impact of bacterial and parasitic infections of fish populations. Problems related to the monitoring and prevention of biofouling in industrial cooling systems are also considered.


LABORATORIUM VOOR ECOLOGIE EN SYSTEMATIEK (LABORATORY OF ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS)

Prof. Dr. N. Daro - Laboratorium voor Ecologie en Systematiek - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Pleinlaan 2 - B-1050 Brussel, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)2-629 34 06 or +32-(0)2-629 34 09 - Fax. +32-(0)2-629 34 03

The general aim of the research is to understand the functioning of marine ecosystems. The research topics are situated in estuarine/coastal and pelagic areas as well in the North Sea as in the Indian Ocean. We distinguish four research topics:

Particulate material in estuarine and coastal areas and its transfer to zooplankton

Characterization of the different components of the particulate material (detritus of different origins, marine, brackish, and freshwater phytoplankton) and their availability for the dominant grazers by means of population dynamics studies and experimental grazing work.

Structure of pelagic oceanic ecosystems

Modellisation of various ecosystems with particular emphasis on the relation between phyto- en zooplankton.

Transfer of pollutants through foodchains

Characterization of different lipid classes and their association with PCBs in phytoplankton, crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes by means of experimental intoxication, accumulation, and elimination cinetics via food and water.

Autecology of oysters

Study of food uptake of different species: Crassostrea cucullata living on mangrove roots in the intertidal zone, Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas both living in the sublittoral and the intertidal zones of the Eastern Scheldt respectively. Their feeding strategies are studied as a function of time of submersion and food composition.

The socio-economic impact of oyster culture in Kenya

The auto ecology of the crab Scylla serrata in the mangrove ecosystems of Kenya

The study of the biology of Echinothrix calamosis and E. diadema in coral reefs of the Indian Ocean

The study of feeding ecology and behavioural ecology of Thalamita orenata in the mangrove ecosystems of Kenya

Research team: N. Daro, E. Dela Cruz, K. Delbeke, Delgado Luis, Fletcher Adriana, Manzi Ahmed, Dadouch Guebos Farid, Koen Millis, J. Nijs, E. Okemwa, P. Polk, Billones Roquel, Y. Samyn, K. Soetaert, J. Tack, M. Tackx, R. Van Molle, R. Van Tomme, Zhu Lin


MARIENE PLANTKUNDE (MARINE BOTANY)

Prof. Dr. E. Coppejans - Vakgroep Morfologie, Systematiek en Ecologie - Laboratorium Plantkunde - Universiteit Gent - K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 - B-9000 Gent, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)9-264 50 58 - Fax. +32-(0)9-264 53 34

The research topics of the "Marine Botany" group are very diverse: marine angiosperms are studied in the tropics (mangroves and seagrasses in Kenya); the study of marine macro-algae is carried out in the Belgian region, in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in circumequatorial areas of the Indian Ocean (Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Maledives, Indonesia, Papua-New Guinea). Recently the study of the microphytobenthos and phytoplankton from the Western Scheldt estuary and coastal lagoons from Papua New Guinea and Australia has also been started. All these studies are mainly taxonomical, ecological and phytosociological.


ONDERZOEKSGROEP DIERKUNDE (ZOOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP)

Prof. Dr. E. Schockaert - Departement SBM - Limburgs Universitair Centrum - Universitaire Campus - B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)11-26 83 64 - Fax. +32-(0)11-26 83 01

The Zoology Research Group of the Limburg University Centre focusses on the study of Platyhelminthes, until now mainly on the free living Turbellaria, but recently also parasitic groups are being considered. The research's approaches are: morphology (mainly by electron microscopy), "classical" systematics (using light microscopy and other techniques) and ecology.

A first taxon that has been studied in a multidisciplinary way is the suborder Proseriata. The copulatory organ has been studied by EM revealing that in Monocelididae, the spines in the cirrus or the stilet are made by reinforcement of the basal lamina of the epithelium that itself disappears in the adult. In all other Proseriata, the hard parts in the copulatory organ are intracellular formations as in all other Platyhelminthes.

Parallel to this ultrastructure research, a systematic revision of the Monocelididae and some other proseriate taxa was made, based on material from all parts of the world. New in this taxonomic approach of microturbellarians was the study of the karyotype of over 50 species. It appeared that the basic karyotype in Monocelididae is n=3 and in all other proseriates n=6. From a close analysis of the chromosomes (including DNA measurements), it appeared that in non-monocelidids a polyploidy had occurred during evolution. So all non-monocelidids were recognized as a monophyletic taxon, the Paramonocelida (Fig.1). In further studies on the systematics of the Proseriata, various other techniques are now taken into consideration.

A second taxon studied is the Eukalyptorhynchia, turbellarians with a conical proboscis. EM studies of the proboscis reveal that the epithelia covering the proboscis often exhibit complicated interlacing patterns. These structures will give us clues in establishing phylogenetic relationships among the various taxa. Kalyptorhynchia are also studied from a purely taxonomic point of view, using material from all parts of the world. Karyological studies are now being considered.

A new research topic is the study by EM of various "sperm-receiving" organs in Platyhelminthes such as the semical receptacle and bursae of different types of which the functions are rather obscure. It is hoped that the ultrastructure research will help us to understand these functions.

Research has also been carried out on the ecology of Turbellaria. The role turbellarians play in the meiofauna in ten sandy beaches of the Belgian coast has been assessed, and the turbellarian fauna was determined to the species level. Densities of over 300 ind./10cm2 were found and a correlation of faunal densities and diversity with the sediment and exposure to wave action could be demonstrated.

The Zoology Research Group of the Limburg University Centre is involved in several national and international programs, among others in Kenya, Mexico, and Antarctica.


RENARD CENTRE OF MARINE GEOLOGY (RCMG)

Prof. Dr. P. Jacobs - Renard Centre of Marine Geology - Geologisch Instituut - Universiteit Gent - Krijgslaan 281 - B-9000 Gent, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)9-264 46 51 - Fax. +32-(0)9-264 49 97

Since 1984 a concerted research action in marine geology has been financed, first by the Ministry of Science Policy, later by the Flemish Ministry of Education. The Renard Centre of Marine Geology - named to commemorate the Gent Prof. Dr. Alphonse François Renard, co-author with John Murray of the deep sea sediments report of the "Challenger" expedition -, is composed of three research units.

The "Morpho- and Sediment Dynamics Unit" monitors the form, location, and volume changes of the Flemish Banks with time series of side scan sonar and bathymetric profiling, to quantify sediment transport and characterize superficial sediment structures.

High resolution seismic profiling enabled the "Seismostratigraphy Unit" to identify the seismic character of the tertiary sediments on the Belgian Continental Shelf. The large data acquisition and the high quality interpretation techniques formed a broad platform for international cooperation for Antarctic and North Atlantic seismic stratigraphy and for African paleoclimatic seismic lake research.

On basis of the 16000km of seismic lines shot by the Seismostratigraphy Unit in the southern North Sea bight, the location of four wells drilled in front of the Belgian coast has been decided. The "Lithostratigraphy Unit" unravels the sediment genetic history of these Tertiary sediments by means of facies analysis using grain size trends, sediment structure observation and non-destructive core research.


SEKTIE MARIENE BIOLOGIE, INSTITUUT VOOR DIERKUNDE (MARINE BIOLOGY SECTION, ZOOLOGY INSTITUTE)

Prof. Dr. M. Vincx - Sektie Mariene Biologie - Instituut voor Dierkunde - Universiteit Gent - K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 - B-9000 Gent, Belgium - Tel. +32-(0)9-264 52 10 - Fax. +32-(0)9-264 53 42

The morphology, systematics and ecology of benthic organisms and small fishes from various marine biotopes is investigated: North Sea, Dutch Delta region, Western Scheldt, Kenyan mangroves, Antarctic deepsea, Gulf of Gascogne, continental shelf.

From these areas, many new meiobenthic species (nematodes, copepods, kinorhynchs) have been described and investigated from a phylogenetic point of view. The ecological aspects are mainly related to the characterization of the structural parameters such as density biomass and diversity of the communities and the impact of environmental stress on these parameters. More recently, trophodynamic processes (bacteria-meiofauna; meiobenthos-fish) are examined in the field and on an experimental basis.

Research team: S. Degreer, A. Dewicke, N. Fockedey, O. Hamerlynck, K. Hostens, J. Mees, N. Smol, A. Vanreusel, M. Vincx, G. De Smet, W. Gijselinck, D. Schram, D. Van Gansbeke.




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