Laura Govers
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Please find my list of publications at the bottom of this webpage or on Google Scholar
You can download all my publications on ResearchGate
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Linked news
Friday 23 November 2018
Waddenmozaïek grote Waddenfondsbeurs voor onderzoek onderwaternatuur in de Waddenzee
Een rijke en gezonde Waddenzee is een onmisbare schakel in de levenscyclus van vele trekvogels en –vissen. Het realiseren van zo’n rijke Waddenzee is daarom ook het streefbeeld van het Waddenfonds en de drie Waddenprovincies: Groningen, Friesland en…
Linked blogs
Monday 15 May 2023
Marine biodiversity in the Ems Dollart area
As part of the project Wadden Mosaic, the habitats and biodiversity of the subtidal Wadden are mapped for the first time - the part of the Dutch Wadden Sea that is permanently submerged. The Wadden Sea is a nature area of international and national…
NIOZ publications
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2025
Meijer, K.J.; Franken, O.; Witte, S.; Holthuijsen, S.; van der Heide, T.; Govers, L.L.; Olff, H. (2025). Hotspots in peril: Misalignment of conservation efforts and ecological values in a shallow coastal sea. People and Nature 7(1): 160-179. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10757
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2024
Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Hijner, N.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Zwarts, M.; Maldonado, G.; Wiersema, H.; Cammenga, R.; Smeele, Q.; van der Heide, T.; Govers, L.L. (2024). Exploring the potential of seed‐based dwarf eelgrass (Zostera noltii) restoration. Aquat. Conserv. 34(9): e4235. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4235Lowell, A.; Hill, C.E.L.; Dupont, S.; Infantes, E.; Ramesh, K.; Peterson, B.J.; Govers, L.L.; Cox, T.E. (2024). Low pH enhances germination of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) seeds despite ubiquitous presence of Phytophthora gemini. Aquat. Bot. 195: 103805. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2024.103805Reijers, V.C; van Rees, F.; van der Heide, T.; Oost, A.P.; Ruessink, G.; Koffijberg, K.; Camphuysen, C.J.; Penning, E.; Hijner, N.; Govers, L.L. (2024). Birds influence vegetation coverage and structure on sandy biogeomorphic islands in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Sci. Total Environ. 950: 175254. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175254Volpe, J.P.; Higgs, E.S.; Jeschke, J.M.; Barnhill, K.; Brunk, C.; Dudney, J.; Govers, L.L.; Hobbs, R.J.; Keenleyside, K.; Murphy, S.D.; Seddon, P.J.; Sudweeks, J.; Telhan, O.; Voicescu, S. (2024). Bionovelty and ecological restoration. Restor. Ecol. 32(5): e14152. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.14152Rehlmeyer, K.; Franken, O.; van der Heide, T.; Holthuijsen, S.; Meijer, K.J.; Olff, H.; Lengkeek, W.; Didderen, K.; Govers, L.L. (2024). Reintroduction of self-facilitating feedbacks could advance subtidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. 11: 1253067. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1253067Nauta, J.; Meijer, K.J.; de Groot, L.W.; Reijers, V.C.; Bouma, T.; van der Wal, D.; Olff, H.; Holthuijsen, S.; Bijleveld, A.; van der Veer, H.; Franken, O.; Govers, L.L. (2024). Mutual facilitation between foundation species Mytilus edulis and Lanice conchilega promotes habitat heterogeneity on tidal flats. Front. Mar. Sci. 11: 1354009. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1354009Leurs, G.; Walsh, M.B.; Haque, A.B.; Collins, C.; Glaus, K.; Kizhakudan, S.J.; Menon, M.; Muttaqin, E.; Simeon, B.; Tovar-Ávila, J.; Govers, L.L.; Walker, P.; Friedman, K. (2024). Opportunities and challenges in value chain analysis for sustainable management of sharks and rays. Mar. Policy 163: 106121. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106121Witte, S.; Dickson, J.; Franken, O.; Holthuijsen, S.; Govers, L.L.; Olff, H.; van der Heide, T. (2024). Enhancing ecological complexity in soft‐bottom coastal ecosystems: the impact of introducing hard substrates. Restor. Ecol. 32(4). https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.14126Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Grimm, I.A.; Valdez, S.R.; Findji, I.; van der Heide, T.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Meijer, K.J.; Eriksson, B.K.; Smeele, Q.; Govers, L.L. (2024). Restored intertidal eelgrass (Z. marina) supports benthic communities taxonomically and functionally similar to natural seagrasses in the Wadden Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. 10. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1294845
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2023
Tan, Y.M.; Coleman, R.A.; Biro, P.A.; Dalby, O.; Jackson, E.L.; Govers, L.L.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Macreadie, P.I.; Flindt, M.; Dewhurst, J.; Sherman, C.D. (2023). Developing seed‐ and shoot‐based restoration approaches for the seagrass, Zostera muelleri. Restor. Ecol. 31(5): e13902. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.13902Nauta, J.; Lammers, C.; Lexmond, R.; Christianen, M.J.A.; Borst, A.; Lamers, L.P.M.; Van Lavieren, H.; Naipal, S.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Habitat complexity drives food web structure along a dynamic mangrove coast. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 196: 115597. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115597Meijer, K.J.; Gusmao, J.B.; Bruil, L.; Franken, O.; Grimm, I.A.; van der Heide, T.; Hijner, N.; Holthuijsen, S.; Hübner, L.; Thieltges, D.W.; Olff, H.; Eriksson, B.K.; Govers, L.L. (2023). The seafloor from a trait perspective. A comprehensive life history dataset of soft sediment macrozoobenthos. Scientific Data 10(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02728-5van Bemmelen, R.S.A.; Duijns, S.; Govers, L.L.; Fijn, R.C. (2024). Habitat use across the tidal cycle by black-headed gulls breeding in the Wadden Sea. J. Ornithol. 165: 69-79. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-023-02097-1Leurs, G.; Verkuil, Y.I.; Hijner, N.; Saalmann, F.; Dos Santos, L.; Regalla, A.; Ledo Pontes, S.; Yang, L.; Naylor, G.J.P.; Olff, H.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Addressing data-deficiency of threatened sharks and rays in a highly dynamic coastal ecosystem using environmental DNA. Ecol. Indic. 154: 110795. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110795El-Hacen, E. M.; Lemrabott, S.Y.C.; Meijer, K.J.; Piersma, T.; Govers, L.L.; van Gils, J.A.; Olff, H. (2023). Growth and population structure of bloody cockles Senilia senilis at Banc d’Arguin and Bijagós with different environmental conditions and harvesting regimes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 710: 71-83. https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps14291Dickson, J.; Franken, O.; Watson, M.S.; Monnich, B.; Holthuijsen, S.; Eriksson, B.K.; Govers, L.L.; van der Heide, T.; Bouma, T. (2023). Who lives in a pear tree under the sea? A first look at tree reefs as a complex natural biodegradable structure to enhance biodiversity in marine systems. Front. Mar. Sci. 10. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1213790de Fouw, J; Holmer, M.; Beca-Carretero, P.; Boström, C.; Brice, J.; Brun, F.G.; Cruijsen, P.M.J.M.; Govers, L.L.; Garmendia, J.M.; Meysick, L.; Pajusalu, L.; Richir, J.; Robroek, B.J.M.; Valle, M.; van der Ven, P.; Eklöf, J.S.; van der Heide, T. (2023). A facultative mutualism facilitates European seagrass meadows. Ecography 2023(5): e06636. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ecog.06636Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Hijner, N.; Hoeijmakers, D.J.J.; Smeele, Q.; Zwarts, M.; van der Heide, T.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Spatial design improves efficiency and scalability of seed‐based seagrass restoration. J. Appl. Ecol. 60(6): 967-977. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14405Marín Díaz, B.; van der Wal, D.; Kaptein, L.; Martinez-Garcia, P.; Lashley, C.H.; de Jong, K.; Nieuwenhuis, J.W.; Govers, L.L.; Olff, H.; Bouma, T. (2023). Using salt marshes for coastal protection: Effective but hard to get where needed most. J. Appl. Ecol. 60(7): 1286-1301. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14413El-Hacen, E.M.; Lemrabott, S.Y.C.; Meijer, K.J.; Piersma, T.; Govers, L.L.; van Gils, J.A.; Olff, H. (2023). Growth and population structure of bloody cockles Senilia senilis at Banc d’Arguin and Bijagós with different environmental conditions and harvesting regimes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 710: 71-83. https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps14291Leurs, G.; Nieuwenhuis, B.O.; Zuidewind, T.J.; Hijner, N.; Olff, H.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Where land meets sea: Intertidal areas as key‐habitats for sharks and rays. Fish Fish. 24(3): 407-426. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/faf.12735Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Govers, L.L.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Silliman, B.R.; Smeele, Q.; Valdez, S.R.; van der Heide, T. (2023). Macrozoobenthos as an indicator of habitat suitability for intertidal seagrass. Ecol. Indic. 147: 109948. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.109948Nauta, J.; Christianen, M.J.A.; Temmink, R.J.M.; Fivash, G.S.; Marín Díaz, B.; Reijers, V.C.; Didderen, K.; Penning, E.; Borst, A.C.W.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Zwarts, M.; Cruijsen, P.M.J.M.; Hijner, N.; Lengkeek, W.; Lamers, L.P.M.; van der Heide, T.; Bouma, T.J.; van der Wal, D.; Olff, H.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Biodegradable artificial reefs enhance food web complexity and biodiversity in an intertidal soft‐sediment ecosystem. J. Appl. Ecol. 60(3): 541-552. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14348Kwakernaak, C.; Hoeijmakers, D.J.J.; Zwarts, M.P.A.; Bijleveld, A.I.; Holthuijsen, S.; de Jong, D.J.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Ragworms (Hediste diversicolor) limit eelgrass (Zostera marina) seedling settlement: Implications for seed-based restoration. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 560: 151853. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151853
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2022
Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Hoeijmakers, D.J.J.; Smeele, Q.; Wiersema, H.; Zwarts, M.; van der Heide, T.; Govers, L.L. (2023). Optimizing seed injection as a seagrass restoration method. Restor. Ecol. 31(3): e13851. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.13851Colina Alonso, A.; van Maren, D.S.; Herman, P.M.J.; van Weerdenburg, R.J.A.; Huismans, Y.; Holthuijsen, S.J.; Govers, L.L.; Bijleveld, A.I.; Wang, Z. (2022). The existence and origin of multiple equilibria in sand‐mud sediment beds. Geophys. Res. Lett. 49(22): e2022GL101141. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022gl101141Bosco Gusmao, J.; Thieltges, D.W.; Dekker, R.; Govers, L.L.; Meijer, K.J.; Eriksson, B.K. (2022). Comparing taxonomic and functional trait diversity in marine macrozoobenthos along sediment texture gradients. Ecol. Indic. 145: 109718. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109718Meijer, K.J.; Franken, O.; van der Heide, T.; Holthuijsen, S.; Visser, W.; Govers, L.L.; Olff, H. (2023). Characterizing bedforms in shallow seas as an integrative predictor of seafloor stability and the occurrence of macrozoobenthic species. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation 9(3): 323-339. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rse2.312Marín Díaz, B.; Govers, L.L.; van der Wal, D.; Olff, H.; Bouma, T.J. (2022). The importance of marshes providing soil stabilization to resist fast‐flow erosion in case of a dike breach. Ecol. Appl. 32(6): e2622. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eap.2622Clements, O.N.; Leurs, G.; Witbaard, R.; Pen, I.; Verkuil, Y.I.; Govers, L.L. (2022). Growth, maturity, and diet of the pearl whipray (Fontitrygon margaritella) from the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. PeerJ 10: e12894. https://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12894Fijn, R.C.; Govers, L.L.; Lutterop, D.; Middelveld, R.P.; van Bemmelen, R.S.A. (2022). Evidence of nocturnal migration over sea and sex-specific migration distance of Dutch Black-Headed Gulls. Ardea 110(1): 15-29. https://dx.doi.org/10.5253/arde.v110i1.a8Govers, L.L.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Smeele, Q.; van der Heide, T. (2022). Adaptive intertidal seed-based seagrass restoration in the Dutch Wadden Sea. PLoS One 17(2): e0262845. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262845Temmink, R.J.M.; Fivash, G.S.; Govers, L.L.; Nauta, J.; Marín Díaz, B.; Cruijsen, P.M.J.M.; Didderen, K.; Penning, E.; Olff, H.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Lamers, L.P.M.; Lengkeek, W.; Christianen, M.J.A.; Reijers, V.C.; Bouma, T.J.; van der Heide, T. (2022). Initiating and upscaling mussel reef establishment with life cycle informed restoration: Successes and future challenges. Ecol. Eng. 175: 106496. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106496
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2021
Penning, E.; Govers, L.L.; Dekker, R.; Piersma, T. (2021). Advancing presence and changes in body size of brown shrimp Crangon crangon on intertidal flats in the western Dutch Wadden Sea, 1984–2018. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 168(11): 160. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03967-zMarín Díaz, B.; Fivash, G.S.; Nauta, J.; Temmink, R.J.M.; Hijner, N.; Reijers, V.C; Cruijsen, P.M.J.M.; Didderen, K.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Penning, E.; Maldonado-Garcia, G.; van Belzen, J.; de Smit, J.C.; Christianen, M.J.A.; van der Heide, T.; van der Wal, D.; Olff, H.; Bouma, T.J.; Govers, L.L. (2021). On the use of large-scale biodegradable artificial reefs for intertidal foreshore stabilization. Ecol. Eng. 170: 106354. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106354Meijer, K.J.; El-Hacen, E.-H.M.; Govers, L.L.; Lavaleye, M.S.S.; Piersma, T.; Olff, H. (2021). Mangrove-mudflat connectivity shapes benthic communities in a tropical intertidal system. Ecol. Indic. 130: 108030. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108030van der Reijden, K.J.; Govers, L.L.; Koop, L.; Damveld, J.H.; Herman, P.M.J.; Mestdagh, S.; Piet, G.; Rijnsdorp, A.D.; Dinesen, G.E.; Snellen, M.; Olff, H. (2021). Beyond connecting the dots: A multi-scale, multi-resolution approach to marine habitat mapping. Ecol. Indic. 128: 107849. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107849Govers, L.L.; Reijers, V.C (2021). Griend: een bewogen eiland. KNNV Uitgeverij: Zeist. ISBN 9789050118125.van der Molen, J.; van Leeuwen, S.M.; Govers, L.L.; van der Heide, T.; Olff, H. (2021). Potential micro-plastics dispersal and accumulation in the North Sea, with application to the MSC Zoe incident. Front. Mar. Sci. 8: 607203. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.607203Gagnon, K.; Christie, H.C.; Didderen, K.; Fagerli, C.W.; Govers, L.L.; Gräfnings, M.L.E.; Heusinkveld, J.H.T.; Kaljurand, K.; Lengkeek, W.; Martin, G.; Meysick, L.; Pajusalu, L.; Rinde, E.; van der Heide, T.; Boström, C. (2021). Incorporating facilitative interactions into small‐scale eelgrass restoration—challenges and opportunities. Restor. Ecol. 29(5): e13398. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13398van der Reijden, K.J.; Koop, L.; Mestdagh, S.; Snellen, M.; Herman, P.M.J.; Olff, H.; Govers, L.L. (2021). Conservation Implications of Sabellaria spinulosa Reef Patches in a Dynamic Sandy-Bottom Environment. Front. Mar. Sci. 8: 642659. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.642659Marin-Diaz, B.; Govers, L.L.; van der Wal, D.; Olff, H.; Bouma, T.J. (2021). How grazing management can maximize erosion resistance of salt marshes. J. Appl. Ecol. 58(7): 1533-1544. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13888Leurs, G.; van der Reijden, K.J.; Cheikhna Lemrabott, S.Y.; Barry, I.; Nonque, D.M.; Olff, H.; Ledo Pontes, S.; Regalla, A.; Govers, L.L. (2021). Industrial fishing near West African Marine Protected Areas and its potential effects on mobile marine predators. Front. Mar. Sci. 8: 602917. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.602917
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2020
Koop, L.; van der Reijden, K.; Mestdagh, S.; Ysebaert, T.; Govers, L.L.; Olff, H.; Herman, P.M.J.; Snellen, M.; Simons, D.G. (2020). Measuring centimeter-scale sand ripples using multibeam echosounder backscatter data from the Brown Bank area of the Dutch Continental Shelf. Geosciences 10(12): 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10120495Tan, Y.M.; Dalby, O.; Kendrick, G.A.; Statton, J.; Sinclair, E.A.; Fraser, M.W.; Macreadie, P.I.; Gillies, C.L.; Coleman, R.A.; Waycott, M.; van Dijk, K.; Vergés, A.; Ross, J.D.; Campbell, M.L.; Matheson, F.E.; Jackson, E.L.; Irving, A.D.; Govers, L.L.; Connolly, R.M.; McLeod, I.M.; Rasheed, M.A.; Kirkman, H.; Flindt, M.R.; Lange, T.; Miller, A.D.; Sherman, C.D.H. (2020). Seagrass restoration is possible: Insights and lessons from Australia and New Zealand. Front. Mar. Sci. 7: article 617. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00617Mestdagh, S.; Amiri-Simkooei, A.; van der Reijden, K.J.; Koop, L.; O'Flynn, S.; Snellen, M.; van Sluis, C.; Govers, L.L.; Simons, D.G.; Herman, P.M.J.; Olff, H.; Ysebaert, T. (2020). Linking the morphology and ecology of subtidal soft-bottom marine benthic habitats: A novel multiscale approach. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 238: 106687. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106687
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2019
van der Reijden, K.J.; Koop, L.; O'Flynn, S.; Garcia, S.; Bos, O.; van Sluis, C.; Maaholm, D.J.; Herman, P.M.J.; Simons, D.G.; Olff, H.; Ysebaert, T.; Snellen, M.; Govers, L.L.; Rijnsdorp, A.D.; Aguilar, R. (2019). Discovery of Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in an intensively fished area of the Dutch Continental Shelf, North Sea. J. Sea Res. 144: 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2018.11.008
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2018
van der Reijden, K.J.; Hintzen, N.T.; Govers, L.L.; Rijnsdorp, A.D.; Olff, H. (2018). North Sea demersal fisheries prefer specific benthic habitats. PLoS One 13(12): e0208338. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208338
