Project properties
Title Evidence based insect restoration in Dutch cities
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type internship
Credits 24-36
Supervisor(s) Jetske de Boer (NIOO/Aeres)
Erik Poelman (Entomology)
Examiner(s) Prof. dr. M. Dicke
Contact info j.de.boer@aeres.nl
Begin date 2024/03/01
End date 2024/12/31
Description Insects play vital roles in all of our ecosystems, but insect diversity and populations are under severe pressure worldwide. Today’s challenge is to identify and successfully implement measures and management types that support insect communities broadly, i.e. not limited to easily visible insects such as butterflies and bees but also insect groups with more hidden lifestyles. This requires a good understanding of the interactions between insects and their environment and between insects of different trophic levels. Moreover, it requires acceptance of society to implement measures that are not generally thought of as aesthetically pleasing. Supporting insects in cities provides a great opportunity to help insect communities ánd to increase awareness of this crucial group of organisms and their environmental needs. To do so, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and Nature Nomads have developed a novel concept called City Oases (EIS and Floron are also partners in this project). City oases maximize environmental gradients in small spaces (up to several hundred square meters) and facilitate broad groups of insects in terms of food, space to reproduce and shelter. In this project, we would like to recruit a student that addresses questions such as: Which plant species support a large insect diversity? What are the other environmental needs of these insect species? Can a location quick scan be developed to optimize city oases with respect to soil type, surrounding city green or natural areas and insect groups that are particularly threatened?

Internship can start immediately, end date December 2022.
This project may also be done as a MSc-thesis instead of an internship.
The student can be based at NIOO.
Used skills
Requirements For doing a BSc-thesis at Entomology, there are no requirements for specific courses.
For doing a MSc-thesis or internship at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.
Note: these requirements do not apply for MBI students; MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc-thesis or internship in the study programme of their specialisation.