ForNaLab
@fornalab.bsky.social
Forest & Nature Lab @Ghent University
There is some challenge, though: optical firbes are relatively fragile and prone to damage especially in instable conditions such as in forests.
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
There is some challenge, though: optical firbes are relatively fragile and prone to damage especially in instable conditions such as in forests.
The most well-know use-case of optical fibres is internet.
We show that it actually allows us to measure microclimate temperatures at the ultra-high resolution of 25 cm! Since these fibres can be very long, up to 30 km (!), this novel means of environmental monitoring seems super promising.
We show that it actually allows us to measure microclimate temperatures at the ultra-high resolution of 25 cm! Since these fibres can be very long, up to 30 km (!), this novel means of environmental monitoring seems super promising.
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
The most well-know use-case of optical fibres is internet.
We show that it actually allows us to measure microclimate temperatures at the ultra-high resolution of 25 cm! Since these fibres can be very long, up to 30 km (!), this novel means of environmental monitoring seems super promising.
We show that it actually allows us to measure microclimate temperatures at the ultra-high resolution of 25 cm! Since these fibres can be very long, up to 30 km (!), this novel means of environmental monitoring seems super promising.
FornaLab & de ANEKO regenwormenwerkgroep werkten samen met ANB en Bos+ om educatieve filmpjes en ander materiaal te ontwikkelen die het belang van regenwormen voor de natuur uitleggen.
October 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
FornaLab & de ANEKO regenwormenwerkgroep werkten samen met ANB en Bos+ om educatieve filmpjes en ander materiaal te ontwikkelen die het belang van regenwormen voor de natuur uitleggen.
Tijdens de 🌳Week van het Bos🌳 belichten we het vaak onzichtbare bodemleven, met de regenwormen als sleutelspelers! 🪱🌿
Deze bodembewoners dragen bij aan een gezonde bodemstructuur, bevorderen waterdoorlaatbaarheid en spelen een centrale rol in de circulatie van voedingsstoffen.
youtu.be/M98rEx6eAzE
Deze bodembewoners dragen bij aan een gezonde bodemstructuur, bevorderen waterdoorlaatbaarheid en spelen een centrale rol in de circulatie van voedingsstoffen.
youtu.be/M98rEx6eAzE
October 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Tijdens de 🌳Week van het Bos🌳 belichten we het vaak onzichtbare bodemleven, met de regenwormen als sleutelspelers! 🪱🌿
Deze bodembewoners dragen bij aan een gezonde bodemstructuur, bevorderen waterdoorlaatbaarheid en spelen een centrale rol in de circulatie van voedingsstoffen.
youtu.be/M98rEx6eAzE
Deze bodembewoners dragen bij aan een gezonde bodemstructuur, bevorderen waterdoorlaatbaarheid en spelen een centrale rol in de circulatie van voedingsstoffen.
youtu.be/M98rEx6eAzE
They went on an adventure at millimeter scale. A picture from the article made it even to the cover page of the issue! Pictures from Kim Verhaeghe.
September 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
They went on an adventure at millimeter scale. A picture from the article made it even to the cover page of the issue! Pictures from Kim Verhaeghe.
📣 new paper! 🌳🌱
We present a novel experimental platform showing that light and post-agricultural soil promote graminoid growth more than tree seedlings & the interaction with graminoids significantly affects seedling growth.
New platform to study understory grassification! doi.org/10.1016/j.fo...
We present a novel experimental platform showing that light and post-agricultural soil promote graminoid growth more than tree seedlings & the interaction with graminoids significantly affects seedling growth.
New platform to study understory grassification! doi.org/10.1016/j.fo...
August 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
📣 new paper! 🌳🌱
We present a novel experimental platform showing that light and post-agricultural soil promote graminoid growth more than tree seedlings & the interaction with graminoids significantly affects seedling growth.
New platform to study understory grassification! doi.org/10.1016/j.fo...
We present a novel experimental platform showing that light and post-agricultural soil promote graminoid growth more than tree seedlings & the interaction with graminoids significantly affects seedling growth.
New platform to study understory grassification! doi.org/10.1016/j.fo...
To also highlight practical applications, the event was followed by a guided tour of the FORBIO experiment in Zedelgem, where we are actively experimenting with mixing tree species and examining its impact on various forest ecosystem functions.
July 18, 2025 at 9:43 AM
To also highlight practical applications, the event was followed by a guided tour of the FORBIO experiment in Zedelgem, where we are actively experimenting with mixing tree species and examining its impact on various forest ecosystem functions.
What are the benefits of mixing tree species?
Kris, Pieter, Lander, @habenblondeel.bsky.social , and Leen shared all their scientific insights during the meeting of the Forest Research User Platform facilitated by @inbo.be
See also: treedivnet.ugent.be/experiments/...
Kris, Pieter, Lander, @habenblondeel.bsky.social , and Leen shared all their scientific insights during the meeting of the Forest Research User Platform facilitated by @inbo.be
See also: treedivnet.ugent.be/experiments/...
July 18, 2025 at 9:43 AM
What are the benefits of mixing tree species?
Kris, Pieter, Lander, @habenblondeel.bsky.social , and Leen shared all their scientific insights during the meeting of the Forest Research User Platform facilitated by @inbo.be
See also: treedivnet.ugent.be/experiments/...
Kris, Pieter, Lander, @habenblondeel.bsky.social , and Leen shared all their scientific insights during the meeting of the Forest Research User Platform facilitated by @inbo.be
See also: treedivnet.ugent.be/experiments/...
🌡️ The microclimate below solitary trees is drier and warmer in urban areas than in rural areas: an increase of 10% built-up area = +0.1°C and +0.02 kPa VPD in summer.
🌡️ Plus, species matter: oak and lime kept things in summer on average 0.55°C cooler than ash!
🌡️ Plus, species matter: oak and lime kept things in summer on average 0.55°C cooler than ash!
June 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
🌡️ The microclimate below solitary trees is drier and warmer in urban areas than in rural areas: an increase of 10% built-up area = +0.1°C and +0.02 kPa VPD in summer.
🌡️ Plus, species matter: oak and lime kept things in summer on average 0.55°C cooler than ash!
🌡️ Plus, species matter: oak and lime kept things in summer on average 0.55°C cooler than ash!
Kim Verhaeghe, science journalist for @eoswetenschap.bsky.social magazine, took a close look at the Aelmoeseneie Forest and the fascinating research we’re conducting there with ForNaLab. Kris, Eline, and @karen-depauw.bsky.social told him more about our forest research and took him into the woods!
June 12, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Kim Verhaeghe, science journalist for @eoswetenschap.bsky.social magazine, took a close look at the Aelmoeseneie Forest and the fascinating research we’re conducting there with ForNaLab. Kris, Eline, and @karen-depauw.bsky.social told him more about our forest research and took him into the woods!
We talked a lot about stomata, photosynthesis and how plants preserve water during dry periods!
@wimds.bsky.social
@wimds.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
We talked a lot about stomata, photosynthesis and how plants preserve water during dry periods!
@wimds.bsky.social
@wimds.bsky.social
Over 9000 stomata were counted on pictures made from the leaf impressions!
#citizenscience #burgerwetenschap
#citizenscience #burgerwetenschap
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Over 9000 stomata were counted on pictures made from the leaf impressions!
#citizenscience #burgerwetenschap
#citizenscience #burgerwetenschap
More than 400 leaf impressions were made with clear nail polish and regular tape!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
More than 400 leaf impressions were made with clear nail polish and regular tape!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social
We were on @nerdland.be festival and it was FANTASTIC!
✨ Belgian Championship Worm Charming
🍂 Soil fauna safari's
🔬 Microclimate & stomata discovery
Thanks everyone for sharing the science enthusiasm!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social @karen-depauw.bsky.social @wimds.bsky.social @fbwugent.bsky.social
✨ Belgian Championship Worm Charming
🍂 Soil fauna safari's
🔬 Microclimate & stomata discovery
Thanks everyone for sharing the science enthusiasm!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social @karen-depauw.bsky.social @wimds.bsky.social @fbwugent.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
We were on @nerdland.be festival and it was FANTASTIC!
✨ Belgian Championship Worm Charming
🍂 Soil fauna safari's
🔬 Microclimate & stomata discovery
Thanks everyone for sharing the science enthusiasm!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social @karen-depauw.bsky.social @wimds.bsky.social @fbwugent.bsky.social
✨ Belgian Championship Worm Charming
🍂 Soil fauna safari's
🔬 Microclimate & stomata discovery
Thanks everyone for sharing the science enthusiasm!
@stephschelfhout.bsky.social @karen-depauw.bsky.social @wimds.bsky.social @fbwugent.bsky.social
🌿 How does climate change affect biodiversity in forest & cities? In #FOURCAST, we study wood anemone's response to climate change at @Plantentuin & Fornalab.
Help with our fieldwork 👉 lnkd.in/e5NiNZzQ
Share photos on waarnemingen.be (Life Stage info)!
More info: lnkd.in/epXGtyGi
Help with our fieldwork 👉 lnkd.in/e5NiNZzQ
Share photos on waarnemingen.be (Life Stage info)!
More info: lnkd.in/epXGtyGi
June 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
🌿 How does climate change affect biodiversity in forest & cities? In #FOURCAST, we study wood anemone's response to climate change at @Plantentuin & Fornalab.
Help with our fieldwork 👉 lnkd.in/e5NiNZzQ
Share photos on waarnemingen.be (Life Stage info)!
More info: lnkd.in/epXGtyGi
Help with our fieldwork 👉 lnkd.in/e5NiNZzQ
Share photos on waarnemingen.be (Life Stage info)!
More info: lnkd.in/epXGtyGi
🌲🔍 Exciting vacancies at ForNaLab! 🔍🌲
We're looking for 3 (!) passionate PhD candidates to explore the effects of global change on forest biodiversity.
#PhD #ForestResearch #CanopyChange #Trees4Adapt #Biodiversity
www.ugent.be/bw/environme...
We're looking for 3 (!) passionate PhD candidates to explore the effects of global change on forest biodiversity.
#PhD #ForestResearch #CanopyChange #Trees4Adapt #Biodiversity
www.ugent.be/bw/environme...
May 20, 2025 at 7:04 AM
🌲🔍 Exciting vacancies at ForNaLab! 🔍🌲
We're looking for 3 (!) passionate PhD candidates to explore the effects of global change on forest biodiversity.
#PhD #ForestResearch #CanopyChange #Trees4Adapt #Biodiversity
www.ugent.be/bw/environme...
We're looking for 3 (!) passionate PhD candidates to explore the effects of global change on forest biodiversity.
#PhD #ForestResearch #CanopyChange #Trees4Adapt #Biodiversity
www.ugent.be/bw/environme...
Eline Lorer defended very succesfully her PhD on global change effects on undersotrey phenology! Big congratulations Eline!! 🥂🎉
May 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Eline Lorer defended very succesfully her PhD on global change effects on undersotrey phenology! Big congratulations Eline!! 🥂🎉
FNL @Nerdland festival!
Welcome in the wonderful world of microclimate. Experiment with an IR camera & discover how sensors map the microclimate of the festival. Under the microscope, you can see how plants adjust their stomata to the microclimate
Tickets www.nerdlandfestival.be
@nerdland.be
Welcome in the wonderful world of microclimate. Experiment with an IR camera & discover how sensors map the microclimate of the festival. Under the microscope, you can see how plants adjust their stomata to the microclimate
Tickets www.nerdlandfestival.be
@nerdland.be
March 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
FNL @Nerdland festival!
Welcome in the wonderful world of microclimate. Experiment with an IR camera & discover how sensors map the microclimate of the festival. Under the microscope, you can see how plants adjust their stomata to the microclimate
Tickets www.nerdlandfestival.be
@nerdland.be
Welcome in the wonderful world of microclimate. Experiment with an IR camera & discover how sensors map the microclimate of the festival. Under the microscope, you can see how plants adjust their stomata to the microclimate
Tickets www.nerdlandfestival.be
@nerdland.be
ForNaLab wins the Sustainability Research Award Rudi Verheyen 2024! FNL was selected by a jury for its work on 'Forest conservation and restoration in a changing world'. Kris Verheyen, Lander Baeten, @pieterdefrenne.bsky.social & Jan Mertens received the price & gave an inspiring talk together.
March 19, 2025 at 9:12 AM
ForNaLab wins the Sustainability Research Award Rudi Verheyen 2024! FNL was selected by a jury for its work on 'Forest conservation and restoration in a changing world'. Kris Verheyen, Lander Baeten, @pieterdefrenne.bsky.social & Jan Mertens received the price & gave an inspiring talk together.
The CanopyChange team went to the field to test the protocol for the upcoming fieldwork campaign in Europe this spring. We will examine the change in understory plant biodiversity due to drought and canopy disturbance as a result of climate change. It was a cold but very interesting day!
#fieldwork
#fieldwork
January 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The CanopyChange team went to the field to test the protocol for the upcoming fieldwork campaign in Europe this spring. We will examine the change in understory plant biodiversity due to drought and canopy disturbance as a result of climate change. It was a cold but very interesting day!
#fieldwork
#fieldwork