Advancing freshwater restoration

1. What’s most important:
   

   Always stay focused on the ecological goals, making sure that restoration really benefits biodiversity, especially target species like riverine fishes.

2. Do this, not that: 
   

   Do: Communicate clearly and consistently with all collaborators.
   Not: Assume that everyone understands the project goals and methods the same way without checking.

3. Always start by:
   

   Building a shared understanding of objectives, methods, and expectations across the project team before any technical work begins.

4. What to do when things get difficult…:
   

   Take a step back, reassess the goals, and talk openly with the team. Most challenges can be solved by breaking them into smaller tasks and setting clear priorities.

5. 5 simple steps to:
   
   1. Define clear goals for what fish species and habitats you want to support.
   2. Collect standardised field data on fish communities and habitat features.
   3. Map and categorise habitat types and connectivity.
   4. Analyse habitat use and fish distribution patterns.
   5. Translate findings into practical, site-specific restoration recommendations.
      
      
6. The biggest barrier and what I am trying to do about it:
   Managing and analysing large, complex datasets was my biggest barrier. I addressed this by investing time early on in setting up clear data structures, good metadata documentation, and consistent collaboration with data managers and statisticians.

My interest in aquatic ecosystems and fish ecology began at a young age, driven by the work of Jacques Cousteau and the mesmerising BBC documentaries with David Attenborough. These early influences created in me a deep fascination with underwater life and the complex interactions that occur within ecosystems. Growing up, I took advantage of every opportunity to learn more about the aquatic world, particularly by scuba diving, angling, and catching animals in the pond. This passion naturally led to a deep interest in aquatic ecosystems, in particular marine fishes and sharks. Despite their critical ecological role, I realised that marine fish and sharks are often misunderstood and underappreciated due to the public’s unfamiliarity with their environment and the misconceptions surrounding them.

As I learnt more about global environmental issues, I became more and more concerned about the growing threats to marine and freshwater ecosystems, such as pollution, overfishing, anthropogenic modifications, and habitat degradation and fragmentation. These human-caused threats have far-reaching implications for aquatic biodiversity, particularly for large and migratory fish species that rely on connected habitats to complete their life cycles. My academic career has been shaped by the need to address these threats through restoration and conservation science, with a special emphasis on the role of habitat heterogeneity and connectivity in supporting marine and freshwater fish populations, as well as assessing the spatiotemporal dynamics of river ecosystems. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of river ecosystems is critical for global biodiversity restoration, as many restoration efforts overlook the complex ecological needs of fish at various life stages and on larger spatial and temporal scales. This oversight undermines the long-term viability of conservation efforts.

• I completed my PhD in Fish Ecology and Biodiversity at Wageningen University & Research between July 2017 and December 2022. My research focused on how restored floodplains in the Netherlands function as nursery areas for riverine fish. I managed and coordinated large-scale fieldwork campaigns, led data collection and analysis, and produced scientific papers and reports. My work covered topics such as fish ecology, biodiversity, floodplain dynamics, habitat modelling, and food web interactions.

  Before my PhD, I obtained a Master of Science in Marine Biology at Wageningen University & Research (2011–2014), graduating with a grade of 8.0. During my MSc, I studied the management of coastal and marine systems, including the effects of fishing, recreation, and urbanisation on biodiversity. I developed strong skills in fisheries ecology, ecomorphology, and the life history of aquatic organisms, and was actively involved in student counselling and open days.

  I started my academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (specialisation in Human and Animal Health Biology) at Wageningen University & Research (2008–2011), graduating with a grade of 8.0. During my BSc, I was actively involved in the study association Biologica, further strengthening my foundation in biological sciences.

My work has helped shift the understanding and practice of river restoration in the Netherlands and across Europe towards a stronger ecological foundation. Through my PhD and postdoctoral research, I showed how restored floodplains can better support fish biodiversity when habitat heterogeneity and connectivity are prioritised. These insights have shaped recommendations for improving river restoration strategies in the lower Rhine and other European rivers. By linking field ecology with practical restoration advice and policy engagement, my work has strengthened the science-policy interface and contributed to national and European strategies like the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law. Overall, my research and outreach are helping to drive more resilient, biodiversity-friendly river management in the Netherlands and beyond.