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About us Practical matters How to find us prof. dr. ir. C. (Chris) Smit

Research interests

I work on species interactions and consequences for the dynamics, biodiversity and spatial organization of natural communities. I typically use large-scale field studies in ecosystems where (large) herbivores play an important role (including temperate savannas, wood pastures, semi-arid steppes, temperate lowland forests, salt marshes, and riverine floodplains). I am much interested in facilitation, i.e. positive interactions between species, and how these interactions are shaped by the interplay of various (a)biotic factors. Furthermore, I work on how predators (including returning wolves, or invasive feral cats) as well as humans, directly or indirectly, affect prey behaviour, with potential cascading impacts on ecosystems (e.g. ecology of fear). I aim to contribute to the advancement of fundamental ecological concepts with relevance for conservation (e.g. rewilding). 

Publications

Applied ecology of fear: A meta-analysis on the potential of facilitating human-wildlife coexistence through nonlethal tools

Beweiding kan aantal plantensoorten op kwelder verhogen

De biodiversiteitscrisis te lijf: Een nieuwe en onmisbare rol van ecologen voor natuurherstel

Free-ranging cattle and the return of the wolf: Behavioral responses and implications for conservation management

How nitrogen deposition hampers common juniper regeneration in heathlands

Large-scale facilitative effects for a single nurse shrub: Impact of the rainfall gradient, plant community and distribution across a geographical barrier

Small mustelids in peril: Investigating detection, abundance and ecology in the Netherlands

Snow cover-related camouflage mismatch increases detection by predators

Vegetation dynamics following three decades of trophic rewilding in the mesic grasslands of Oostvaardersplassen

Akkeren op de kwelder

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Press/media

UG leads global broad research on biodiversity restoration

Liekuut | Haal de ecoloog uit de ivoren toren

Wie is er bang voor de boze wolf?

Hoe ver moet je gaan om weidevogels te beschermen tegen de huiskat? 'Onze mindset moet veranderen'

Vijf aanvragen gehonoreerd voor onderzoek naar de Waddenzee

Wetenschappers aan kabinet: natuur is geen luxe-dingetje, stem vóór de natuurherstelwet

'Wolf verandert leven op het platteland in Noord-Nederland' | podcast Juichen of Jagen

Hoe gevaarlijk is de wolf voor de mens? En 6 andere vragen over de wolf beantwoord

Lief en schattig? Katten zijn verantwoordelijk voor het uitsterven van 60 diersoorten in de wereld

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