European heathlands are unique natural landscapes, providing wide range of ecosystem services. This experiment simulates the effect of future climate on the functioning of the heathland ecosystem, and the  consequences for society. Large plots of 9 year-old heathland of Mechelse Heide are located in mesocosms and subjected to 6 distinct past and future climate scenarios ranging from the climate of 1950 to the climate of 2070. In this long-term experiment we assess climate impacts on biodiversity, carbon, nutrient and water cycles and vegetation ecophysiology of heathland ecosystem. We are particularly interested in the role of soil microorganisms in the processes carbon sequestration, and how those are affected by climate change.  Click here to meet the project consortiums and to learn about the ecosystem functioning assessments that we conduct.

Marginal lands are left aside from agricultural use, because they it is too poor, too polluted, or too dry to be profitable. This represents a large area in Europe, more than 38.5 million Ha. On the other hand, there is ever increasing pressure on arable land, to be able to feed the increasing world population. In this project we assess if we can we make this marginal land attractive again for food or feed production? If yes, how? And can we do that with a minimal C footprint?

Pear fruit production is among the core agricultural industries of Europe. In this project we assess how growth of pear trees, pear quality and functioning of the pear orchard agri-ecosystems  will be affected by future climate. The experiment will start in the autumn of 2022. Click here to meet the project consortium and to learn about the ecosystem functioning assessments that we conduct.