Fons van der Plas

Fons van der Plas is an Assistant Professor in Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding how biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and land-use changes influence natural and agricultural systems. He collaborates internationally, with recent projects in the Netherlands, Brazil, China, and Europe. His work integrates plant traits, climate data, and ecological modeling to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem resilience.

He co-supervises three PhD projects: Land Change Monitoring for Tree Diversity (with de Beurs & Tsendbazar), interactive effects of fertilization/grazing on soil carbon (with Kleijn), and insect ecology in nature-based farming systems (with Kleijn). These projects highlight his commitment to bridging ecological theory and applied land management solutions.

Key research interests include biodiversity patterns in global forests, climate change impacts on plant communities, and nitrogen deposition effects. His datasets explore topics like root traits, grassland management, and tree diversity drivers. Media contributions emphasize public engagement on nitrogen's role in biodiversity decline and policy advocacy for nature restoration laws.