The main objective of the research of the Department of Food Web Studies is to explain the structure and dynamics of communities in lakes and reservoirs in relation to biotic and abiotic factors. The research addresses both functional and evolutionary questions. Most of the studies focus on trophic interactions within the pelagic food web, in which filter-feeders (e.g. water fleas and zebra mussels) play a central role. Special attention is paid to the steering role of infochemicals in the functioning and structure of food webs. Other research projects focus on the behaviour of communities in relation to stress factors.
Original name: Voedselweb Onderzoek Parent institute: Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Centre for Limnology (KNAW-CL), more
