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Hugo de Boer has been appointed as Professor of Nature-based Climate Adaptation in Deltas as of 1 April 2025. De Boer currently serves as Associate Professor in Global Ecohydrology and Sustainability at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, alongside his work as Geosciences Scientific Lead for the Delta Climate Center (DCC) in Vlissingen. Marc Bierkens, Dean van the Faculty of Geosciences, is pleased with his appointment: ‘Hugo de Boer has a solid background in the field of ecohydrology, with a passion for inter- and trans-disciplinary research and education. That combination makes him the ideal person to reinforce the ties between our university and the Delta Climate Center in the area of nature-inclusive climate adaptation.’

‘Innovative climate adaptation strategies and measures are being developed all over the world’, explains Hugo de Boer. ‘The sustainability challenges are especially pressing in river deltas, due to the intensive use of land, declining biodiversity, and the combined effects of climate change, soil subsidence and salinisation. My chair group, Nature-based Climate Adaptation in Deltas, focuses on natural processes and ecosystem services that can help make climate adaptation more effective and sustainable. Some examples include wetlands that store sediment and carbon, adaptive water management for sustainable agriculture, and enhancing biodiversity to mitigate the effects of extreme weather conditions on ecosystems. In my research and education activities, I aim to focus on developing knowledge to strengthen this green perspective on climate adaptation.’

Challenge

‘Integrating nature-inclusive climate adaptation in existing social contexts is remains a challenge. In the Netherlands, and especially in the province of Zeeland, water safety is a key priority in the development of climate adaptation strategies. But other sustainability challenges, such as restoring biodiversity, the availability of enough clean drinking water, and making agriculture more sustainable, also play an important role. The support of residents, societal organisations and businesses is essential to develop successfully solutions to these sustainability challenges,’ explains De Boer. ‘Quantifying a wide range of ecosystem services, like coastal protection, fresh water storage, food production and recreation, may help to further justify nature-based measures and to build societal support. In the process, my chair will contribute to the DCC’s mission to enhance climate resilience and prosperity in the Zeeland region and in deltas around the world.’

Education

Education is an important priority for every chair group, and De Boer has ambitious plans: ‘I’m coordinating the Master’s programme Water Science and Management, and together with an enthusiastic group of colleagues we’re developing a new Master’s programme Water Management for Climate Adaptation. Along with the natural processes relevant for climate change and water systems, students also explore the societal processes essential for effective water management and climate adaptation. Colleagues from the Copernicus Institute’s Environmental Governance section and the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance contribute vital expertise on the legal and governance aspects involved in climate adaptation. Together with colleagues from the DCC, we’ll strengthen the connections between secondary vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO), and academic education. The rapid development of knowledge and technology on the topic of climate adaptation also presents an opportunity for professional education, and I’d like to contribute to this with the parties represented at the DCC.’

Research

Over the past years, Hugo de Boer’s research focused on the question how plants and ecosystems adapt to climate change. De Boer: ‘This work is centred around the theory that plants adapt to changing environments following evolutionary optimality principles. I use this theory to develop mathematical models that are tested with observations from experiments, field measurements and fossil plant material. This research helps improve ecosystem models that are useful for quantifying ecosystem services like carbon capture, water storage and food production. The knowledge also contributes to the development of climate-resilient crops and adjusting agricultural techniques to a changing climate.’ De Boer’s other research has provided statistical methods for quantifying ecosystem services. These methods revealed how biodiversity helps mitigate the impact of human disturbance on ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide. ‘This research illustrates the importance of natural processes and enhancing biodiversity for climate adaptation. Together with other recently appointed professors, Herman Kasper Gilissen, Rashmi Sasidharan, Marjolijn Haasnoot and Albert Klein Tank, the university community Water, Climate and Future Deltas, and my colleagues at the DCC and elsewhere, I aim to continue my efforts to making deltas greener and more sustainable.’