Facilities at the location Wageningen

Mesocosmos lab in Nieuwersluis

The location in Nieuwersluis possesses high-quality equipment for the analysis of a wide range of chemical and physical environmental factors. It also has well-equipped laboratories for molecular-biological research.

Limnotrons
It also houses so-called limnotrons. These are general-purpose incubators where scientists can carry out experiments on a semi-field scale under regulated water quality and quantity conditions. Furthermore, Nieuwersluis has advanced analytical equipment, including a number of flow cytometers, which use laser technology to identify, count, and sort algae, bacteria, and protozoa at high speed. 

Experimental ponds
36 experimental ponds are situated on the grounds of the water board Waternet along the Loenderveense Plas (a lake). Aquatic ecologists use these ponds for the study of the effect of water plants on other aquatic organisms such as algae and zooplankton. Part of the ponds have been enriched with nutrients and are grazed by water fowl. The results of the experiments are of course of great interest for Waternet itself and other water boards.

Greenhouses, an avian complex and labs
There is an extensive molecular-biological lab with facilities to work under enclosed circumstances with high-risk organisms (so called ML II en III level). The CTE owns a Fytotron: a complex with greenhouses and climate chambers. The aviary complex offers good facilities for bird research with a.o. 36 climatised aviaries. The facilities of the NIOO can be used via exchange programs by other (Dutch) researchers.

Bird Ringing Station
The CTE in Heteren was the home of the Dutch Bird Ringing Station: centre for bird migration and -demography. Here all data are stored about ringed birds in the Netherlands. Every year 100.000 new observations are added to this database which is unique because of its long-term data storage. We would like to stimulate the scientific use of these useful data. For more information please click here or visit their own website: www.vogeltrekstation.nl/vogeltrekstation_en.htm