Lourens Poorter

Lourens Poorter is a Professor of Forest Ecology and Forest Management at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on tropical forest dynamics, plant functional traits, and ecosystem recovery. He leads projects on forest succession, climate change impacts, and biodiversity conservation across tropical regions. Key contributions include studies on secondary forest recovery, wood density variability, and the ecological role of lianas. He collaborates internationally, with datasets on Amazonian flora and Neotropical succession.

Education and affiliations: Formal training in Plant Ecology and Ecophysiology (PE&RC group). Active in editorial roles and media commentary on forest resilience and restoration. Supervises PhD candidates in tropical forest ecology and management.

Research highlights include identifying drivers of biomass accumulation in secondary forests and analyzing functional composition of Amazonian tree communities. His work integrates field studies, big data analysis, and collaboration with global research networks. Projects funded by Wageningen University and international partners address climate adaptation and land-use impacts on forest ecosystems.