A huge shiny aluminium object stands in the middle of the Polderlab in Oud Ade. Are the researchers trying to make contact with extraterrestrial life? Certainly not; they are using the 'Moon landers' to measure whether innovative forms of agriculture reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fleur van Duin works as a PhD student in the Polderlab and is excited about the arrival of the instruments.
In the Polderlab Vrouwe Venne in Oud Ade, several devices that measure greenhouse gas emissions have been installed recently. 'Farming on peat soil leads to the peat breaking down because of the lowering of the water level. This releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane,' says Fleur van Duin, PhD student at the Institute for Environmental Sciences (CML) and Naturalis Biodiversity Center. 'We are investigating alternative forms of agriculture on peat soil and of course, want to know whether that leads to fewer emissions.' The new instruments continuously monitor greenhouse gas emissions. This gives Van Duin and her colleagues a clear picture of emissions from different forms of agriculture.
It is interesting to work with such an instrument, which collects a large amount of data, Van Duin says. 'Normally, as a biologist, you are mainly counting plants and animals, and once in a while you measure water quality with a device.'
Playground for ecologists
Van Duin's research focuses on sustainable agriculture in peatland. She pays attention to biodiversity, emissions and water quality. She conducts this research in the Polderlab. Van Duin: 'We sometimes call it our playground. It is really special that you have more than 30 hectares at your disposal to set up cropping systems on a large scale and immediately see if it works for the farmer. So, the data you get give a very realistic impression.'
