Fons van der Plas
LightNews LightNews
fonsvanderplas.bsky.social
Fons van der Plas
@fonsvanderplas.bsky.social
1K followers 250 following 18 posts
Ecologist and scientist interested in biodiversity, conservation and ecosystem functioning. Working as an Assistant Prof. at Wageningen University
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
henneckejustus.bsky.social
Super excited to see that the last chapter of my PhD on root trait - ecosystem functioning relationships is now published in @newphyt.bsky.social!
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Rooting for function: community‐level fine‐root traits relate to many ecosystem functions
Humans are driving biodiversity change, which also alters community functional traits. However, how changes in the functional traits of the community alter ecosystem functions—especially belowground...
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
natureportfolio.nature.com
Why are some species widespread while others are found only in small, isolated areas? A study in Nature Communications shows that species with narrow ranges, and thus higher extinction risk, are often island-restricted, poor dispersers, and have evolved relatively recently. #evosky 🧪
Evolutionary age correlates with range size across plants and animals - Nature Communications
Why are some species widespread while others are found only in small, isolated areas? This study shows that species with narrow ranges, and thus higher extinction risk, are often island-restricted, poor dispersers, and have evolved relatively recently.
go.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
idiv-research.bsky.social
A new @natcomms.nature.com study led by iDiv alumna @adrianaalzate.bsky.social @naturalis.bsky.social uncovered that across >26,000 species evolutionary age is positively linked to range size, except in marine mammals.

#Biodiversity #Evolution #iDivResearch
www.idiv.de/older-specie...
Older species tend to have large ranges – unless they live on islands
New Nature Communication publications sheds light on how ecological, evolutionary, and geographical processes can simultaneously shape species’ vulnerability to extinction.
www.idiv.de
August 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
iris-hordijk.bsky.social
Publication out on the effect of climate on traits of dominant and rare tree species in the world’s forests in natcomms.nature.com‬rdcu.be/enby2
Effect of climate on traits of dominant and rare tree species in the world’s forests
Nature Communications - Species’ traits and environmental conditions determine the abundance of tree species across the globe. Here, the authors find that dominant tree species are taller and...
rdcu.be
May 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
fonsvanderplas.bsky.social
Two PhD positions available at Wageningen University on resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across landscapes. Supervision will be by my great colleagues @iris-hordijk.bsky.social @amandataylor.bsky.social @dominic-martin.bsky.social @lucianachr.bsky.social and Merel Hofmeijer.
PhD position - Resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across landscapes
www.wur.nl
April 24, 2025 at 5:05 AM
fonsvanderplas.bsky.social
Interested in discussing issues on Global Ecology, or share your work on it? For those who still want to join the Global Ecology Starter Pack Vol. 2, there is still space!

bsky.app/starter-pack...

For joining, DM @global-ecology.bsky.social to join.
January 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
fonsvanderplas.bsky.social
Looking for a fully funded PhD position to work on plant, bird and insect biodiversity restoration in Dutch agricultural grasslands? Then consider applying for this position! (or share with anyone interested).
www.rug.nl/about-ug/wor...
January 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
raoulbeunen.bsky.social
Join the CurveBend Project! We're hiring 8 PhDs and 2 Postdocs to promote biodiversity restoration and a nature-positive future through collective action at the landscape scale in the Netherlands, Argentina, Kenya and Tanzania. shorturl.at/nOdhb #JobAlert #PhDpositions #PostdocJobs #Biodiversity
CurveBend Vacancies
CurveBend project: Upcoming vacancies for 8 PhD students and 2 postdocs We are looking for people who are excited to investigate how to restore biodiversity and promote a nature-positive society throu...
shorturl.at
December 27, 2024 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
frantecol.bsky.social
Nederland kennisland?

"Europees is afgesproken dat landen 3% van hun BBP investeren in onderzoek en innovatie. Nederland staat op 2,3% en gaat met deze bezuinigingen verder dalen."
www.nwo.nl/nieuws/grote...
Grote zorgen wetenschapsorganisaties over OCW-begroting | NWO
De Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW), de Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO), de Nederlandse Federatie van Universitair Medische Centra (NFU) en Unive...
www.nwo.nl
December 17, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
guypeer.bsky.social
Two more days to go:
We will soon publish the Open Letter so please sign and repost.
1587 people already signed, some countries remain behind:
1: Latvia Lithuania Cyprus Malta
3: Bulgaria
5: Estonia Ireland Slovenia
7: Slovakia
8: Croatia Poland
10: Romania
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
December 2, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by Fons van der Plas
dominic-martin.bsky.social
Last chance to apply for this PhD with @estelle-ravel.bsky.social, @iris-hordijk.bsky.social and me at @w-u-r.bsky.social!

Application deadline is next Tuesday 3rd of December.
dominic-martin.bsky.social Dominic Martin @dominic-martin.bsky.social · Nov 18
Why not doing my first Bluesky post advertising a PhD position?

We are looking for a PhD researcher working on social and ecological #restoration effectiveness in #Madagascar based at Wageningen University & attached to the #Demand4Restoration project. Apply by 3.12.!

www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/p...
PhD position - Tree-based restoration in biodiversity hotspot Madagascar
www.wur.nl
November 29, 2024 at 10:35 PM