On World Soil Day, ITC researchers Andjin Siegenthaler and Haidi Abdullah from the Natural Resources Department of the ITC Faculty joined leading experts at the National Park Hoge Veluwe for a symposium focused on Dutch soil health and forest management.
The event, which drew 100 participants, including park visitors, rangers, and experts, showcased cutting-edge approaches to understanding and protecting soil ecosystems in the Netherlands.
Innovation through remote sensing and environmental DNA
In the Symposium, Andjin and Haidi presented their work combining satellite imagery and aerial photography to monitor forest health. Their research specifically addresses pressing challenges facing Dutch forests, with a particular focus on soil acidification. The innovative approach integrates remote sensing technology with environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, enabling detailed examination of soil microbiota and providing valuable insights for sustainable forest management practices.
"We found that combining hyperspectral data with eDNA provides exceptional detail on soil microbiota, enabling more effective biodiversity conservation," explained Andjin.
Credits: Bruce Kee (Unsplash)
As Haidi highlights, "our work demonstrates the potential of remote sensing and eDNA to deliver fine-scale insights into ecosystems, contributing significantly to sustainable management practices."
The integration of remote sensing with eDNA analysis represents a significant advancement in forest monitoring capabilities, offering a more nuanced understanding of ecosystem health than traditional methods alone. Haidi’s and Andjin’s work is part of BIOSPACE, an ITC project focused on biodiversity monitoring through the combination of these techniques.
About the Hoge Veluwe Symposium
The symposium, chaired by former Minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg, featured a diverse program of expert presentations. Dr. Jakob Wallinga provided historical context with his discussion on the origin of Dutch sandy soils, while Prof. dr. ir. Wim van der Putten explored the intricate relationships between above- and below-ground processes in forest ecosystems. Ir. Loes Kampherbeek shared valuable insights on best practices in nature management.
Click here to watch the Andjin Siegenthaler’s intervention (Dutch).
Credits: Jonne Laagland Winder (Unsplash)
About BIOSPACE
Andjin Siegenthaler and Haidi Abdullah will continue contributing to more effective and sustainable nature management practices in the Netherlands through their work on BIOSPACE.
The aim of the BIOSPACE project is to monitor biodiversity by upscaling field observations and genomic (eDNA) information using next-generation satellite remote sensing. Read more about BIOSPACE here.
