A5047412605- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
Research Institute for Nature and Forest
2015-2025
Ghent University
2008-2023
Centre for Invasive Species Solution
2021
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
2017-2020
Belgian Federal Science Policy Office
2015-2017
Aquatic Systems (United States)
2016
Institute for Biodiversity
2014
Ghent University Hospital
2011-2012
Abstract Biological invasions are a threat to biodiversity, society and the economy. There is an urgent need provide evidence‐based assessments of risks posed by invasive alien species ( IAS ) prioritize action. Risk underpin policies in many ways: informing legislation; providing justification restrictions trade or consumer activities; prioritizing surveillance rapid response. benefits ensuring consistency content risk globally, this can be achieved framework minimum standards as checklist...
Plant communities are often dispersal‐limited and zoochory can be an efficient mechanism for plants to colonize new patches of potentially suitable habitat. We predicted that seed dispersal by ungulates acts as ecological filter – which differentially affects individuals according their characteristics shapes species assemblages the varies (endozoochory, fur‐epizoochory hoof‐epizoochory). conducted two‐step individual participant data meta‐analyses 52 studies on plant in fragmented...
Abstract Effective prevention and control of invasive species generally relies on a comprehensive, coherent representative list that enables resources to be used optimally. European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 alien (IAS) aims or eradicate priority species, manage pathways prevent the introduction establishment new IAS; it applies considered concern subject formal risk assessment. So far, 49 have been listed but criteria for selecting assessment not disclosed were probably unsystematic....
Risk assessment tools for listing invasive alien species need to incorporate all available evidence and expertise. Beyond the wealth of protocols developed date, we argue that current way performing risk analysis has several shortcomings. In particular, lack data on ecological impacts, transparency repeatability assessments as well incorporation uncertainty should be explicitly considered. We recommend improved quality control through formalized peer review with clear feedback between...
Standardized tools are needed to identify and prioritize the most harmful non-native species (NNS). A plethora of assessment protocols have been developed evaluate current potential impacts species, but consistency among them has received limited attention. To estimate across impact protocols, 89 specialists in biological invasions used 11 screen 57 NNS (2614 assessments). We tested if scoring assessors, quantified as coefficient variation (CV), was dependent on characteristics protocol,...
Abstract Grazing mammals are regarded as major vectors in seed dispersal of grassland plants, through ingestion and subsequent excretion (endozoochory). The (evolutionary) ecology underlying this mode is relatively poorly understood because there limited data, among others, on how attributes perform process (and could thus be selected for). For mortality following ingestion, contrasting patterns described for the role simple traits seem partly due to inadequate comparative analytical...
Abstract Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects cattle-grazing intensification on field experiments replicated 38 pastures around world. Within each study site, measured managed with low- high-intensity regimes to assess...
A coherent response to biological invasions involves science-based, up-to-date prioritization tools alongside information transfer relevant authorities and stakeholders. Here, we describe how the collaboration between scientists policy makers in Belgium has allowed development of decision support regarding invasive alien species. We present environmental impact assessment protocol ISEIA comment on its applications. Furthermore, provide metadata for system Harmonia which was developed...
A risk assessment was organized during the early EU ASF outbreaks of 2014 (February-April) and performed in cooperation with 15 Belgian European experts on ASFV its epidemiology pigs/wild boar. African swine fever (ASF) is considered as one most dangerous infectious pig diseases, causing many outbreaks. Since end 2013 - 2014, several within Union (Lithuania, Poland, Estonia Latvia) were reported to OIE, which prompted assessments by (inter)national bodies scientists. In this study, open...
Abstract Mature seeds of many legume species are normally characterized by water-impermeable seed coats, a form physical dormancy. However, observations have suggested that the incidence mature but permeable (non-dormant) is sometimes substantial. Yet, ecological processes associated with this non-dormancy received little attention plant ecologists. In white clover ( Trifolium repens ), we therefore studied: (1) occurrence initially in wild populations; (2) relative performance non-dormant...
Background and aims - A good understanding of the ways in which seeds are dispersed within landscapes is essential to plant ecology conservation. Carnivorous mammals can act as vectors dispersal through ingestion subsequent excretion (endozoochory). The red fox ( Vulpes vulpes L.) a predatory species that markedly opportunistic both habitat feeding habits, occurs widespread many rural urbanized regions. Due their high mobility among territories, they could contribute long-distance seed on...
The amphibious plant species Crassula helmsii is a widely established and still-spreading alien in various parts of Europe, where it considered invasive as its dense swards stress the viability local biota.The was to exclusively reproduce through vegetative means, until ex situ germination recorded from single locality Belgium.We assessed whether this seed holds on wider scale, by testing 16 populations Netherlands, Belgium, northern France, eastern England Germany greenhouse...
Different species have different dispersal capabilities and in the field, interact with each other within dynamic, heterogeneous complex landscapes.While plants certain herbivore may disperse considerable distances by means of seed or flight, herbivores (e.g.root-feeding nematodes non-winged insect herbivores) are more limited their capacities.This difference results mosaics plantÁherbivore interactions that shift over time space leading to spatio-temporal variation both presence absence...
Non-native Berberis aquifolium is an invasive species in Belgian coastal dunes. With its strong clonal growth through suckers, this evergreen shrub outcompetes native and affects dune succession. To prevent further secondary spread mitigate impact, there was urgent need for knowledge on the effectiveness of control measures, both at plant habitat level. Here, we report a first experiment. Individual B. clones were subjected to one four treatments (manual uprooting, foliar herbicide...
Policy makers increasingly acknowledge the importance of considering ecosystem services (ESs) and biodiversity in impact assessment (IA) to reduce degradation halt ongoing losses biodiversity. Recent research demonstrates how ESs can add value IA, i.e., by shifting focus from avoiding negative impacts creating opportunities, linking effects on ecological functioning benefits for society, providing a multi-disciplinary framework that allows consider cross-sectoral effects. However, challenges...
Many herbaceous and graminoid plants from open communities are characterized by their relatively small size seeds that appear to lack any clear traits for dispersal. Such syndrome is likely the result of several selective pressures tradeoffs acting together. Drawing on putative relationship these with large mammals graze them, respect defoliation dispersal (endozoochory), we included plant stature as a trait in simulation model elaborate animals’ relative contribution evolution. Different...
Bonte, D.; Breyne, P.; Brys, R.; de la Peña, E.; D'hondt, B.; Ghyselen, C.; Vandegehuchte, M.L., and Hoffmann, M., 2012. Landscape dynamics determine the small-scale genetic structure of an endangered dune slack plant species. Understanding processes that variation within landscapes is a crucial factor for successful management threatened species are sensitive to both environmental bottlenecks. While current insights point importance historical landscape populations at large spatial scales,...