Tropical forest landscapes have changed dramatically over the last few decades. Forest conversion to agricultural fields has caused deforestation and forest fragmentation. A large share of the remaining forests are exploited for timber and non-timber forest products. In addition, tropical forests are also experiencing the effects of climatic and atmospheric change: rising temperature, nutrient deposition and increased atmospheric CO₂ levels. Climatic changes predicted for the coming decades will greatly alter growing conditions of tropical forests and likely influence tree growth and forest dynamics.  

In my  research I evaluate how tropical forests will respond to these global changes, and how these changes affect their ecosystem services and conservation values. Specifically, I study the effects of exploitation, fragmentation and climate change on tree and forest ecology . I also teach about these topics and contribute to capacity building.

pieter.zuidema@wur.nl
 

Mijn onderzoeksprojecten gaan over duurzaam bosbeheer in de tropen, en effecten van klimaatverandering en bosfragmentatie. De belangrijkste projecten staan hieronder beschreven.

Ik geef college over ecologie en beheer van tropisch bossen en over effecten van klimaatverandering in die bossen. Dat doe ik in verschillende BSc en MSc vakken, onder andere: Forest Resources, Trends in Forest and Nature Conservation, Agroforestry en Restoration Ecology. Ook ben ik coach van het BSc Honours Programma. Vanaf het cursusjaar 2015-2016 coordineer ik een nieuwe cursus: Resource Dynamics and Sustainable Utilization. https://ssc.wur.nl/Studiegids/2015/Vak/FEM-30806

Ik geef ook cursussen in het buitenland over duurzaam bosbeheer, bosecologie en modelleren.