Mariet Hefting

Mariet Hefting is an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Ecology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on ecosystem processes in peatlands, decomposition dynamics, microbial communities, and climate change mitigation. She has contributed significantly to understanding peatland ecology, litter decomposition mechanisms, and the role of biodiversity in ecosystem services.

Her work addresses global challenges such as carbon sequestration, sustainable land management, and microbial interactions in wetland systems. She has co-authored over 83 publications, including high-impact studies in journals like Current Biology and Ecology Letters.

Dr. Hefting teaches courses such as 'Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services' and 'Ecosystems,' emphasizing practical ecological concepts. She actively collaborates on datasets related to bark decomposition, wood decay rates, and faunal community dynamics in decomposing logs.

Her recent research highlights include investigating woodpecker-driven decomposition feedbacks, regenerative measures in peat meadows, and microbial responses to mangrove flooding. She advocates methodological rigor in ecological assessments, as seen in her critique of the Tea Bag Index assumptions.