Tjisse van der Heide

Tjisse van der Heide is a Professor of Coastal Ecology at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) at the University of Groningen and a researcher for the Royal Netherlands Institute for Marine Research (NIOZ). He also serves as Vice Chair of the Dutch OBN Knowledge Network for Nature Restoration and Management's team of experts on dune and coastal landscapes.

Van der Heide's research focuses on coastal ecosystems and the role of ecosystem engineers—organisms that create suitable living circumstances for themselves and other species through environmental modification. His work examines how ecosystems function and how dissipated ecosystems can be restored, combining field and lab experiments with computer models. In 2024, he received a prestigious Vici-grant for his research on restoration of coastal ecosystems by temporarily mimicking habitat-forming species, developing a framework that integrates ecology, industrial design, and engineering principles.

Analyzing his recent publication record reveals strong emphasis on ecosystem engineering processes, habitat restoration techniques, and climate change impacts on coastal systems. His research spans seagrass beds, mussel and oyster reefs, salt marshes, and dune ecosystems, with particular focus on how biotic interactions shape coastal landscapes and influence restoration success. His interdisciplinary approach frequently bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications.

Van der Heide has received significant recognition including the Vici-grant (2024) and the Heineken Young Scientist Award. His research has direct policy implications, as evidenced by his media commentary on coastal development projects like power cables through the Wadden Sea.

His work involves extensive collaboration with researchers across multiple institutions, focusing on both fundamental ecological processes and applied restoration techniques. Van der Heide's research group conducts field studies throughout the Wadden Sea region and other coastal areas, contributing to our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and developing practical solutions for coastal conservation challenges.