Species are not randomly distributed in nature, but
occur in regular, predictable patterns. Explaining these patterns
from an understanding of the relationships between species and their
environment is my main drive for conducting ecological research.
During my doctoral research (http://webdoc.ubn.ru.nl/mono/v/verberk_w/matcsptoa.pdf),
I developed a strong interest in how species traits in
combination allow species to thrive in some environments but not in others. I
used information on trait combinations to explain the response of freshwater
macroinvertebrates to large-scale rewetting measures in raised bogs.
In addition, my interests and experience also
includes other ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs, rivers, streams and fens) and
other taxonomic groups (e.g. fish, terrestrial invertebrates,mammals).
Current research
My current research at the Marine Biology and
Ecology Research Centre of the University of Plymouth (UK) involves a
combination of physiological laboratory experiments and ecological field
studies. It centres around the role of oxygen in the thermal physiology of aquatic invertebrates. I am interested if and how differences in a species’
thermal vulnerability can be predicted from their morphological and
physiological traits that are related to oxygen supply and demand.
The research has funded by a Rubicon
fellowship from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and is currently being funded by a EU Marie Curie fellowship.
Other interests
and activities
Playing with my three children Saar (2005), Toon
(2007) and Guus (2010), Board games (e.g. Axis & Allies, Risk, Settlers of Catan),
Reading, Diving, Climbing.
