Work Package 1 NL
What
In the Netherlands (NL), we compare various areas of collective action (so-called Living Labs) aimed at restoring characteristic grassland biodiversity in plants, invertebrates, and birds. Our primary study sites will be in the provinces Noord- and Zuid-Holland, and Friesland; the wetter, lower parts of the country where dairy farming is an important rural land use.
In most of NL, outside small remaining protected areas, this biodiversity has been lost in the last century, due to intensification of dairy farming practices. This intensification (need and capacity for more milk production per hectare) has been driven by a complex set of factors, including technological innovation, growing markets for international exports, income and production cost subsidies to farmers, consumers getting used to low prices, poor enforcement of environmental regulations and governmental interventions to promote agricultural production.
Where
Field sites: Westzaan/Spaarnwoude, Eemland,
Who
WP Leads
Riyan van den Born (RU) & Chris Smit (RUG)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Rosa Boone (VU)
PhD Researchers
Lotte Mens (RUG)
Yannick Overzee (LU)
Kornelis Walma (OU)
Supervisors & Advisory Researchers
How
(methods)