Kristien Brans

The team of Kristien Brans studies rapid evolution and eco-evolutionary dynamics (i.e. the reciprocal interaction between evolution and ecology) in freshwater biota in response to anthropogenic disturbances such as urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization and their associated stressors (e.g. heat, chemical pollution, light pollution, salinization, invasive species etc.).  By studying adaptive evolution in an eco-evolutionary context, she aims to improve the understanding of ecological dynamics and the fate of freshwater communities under future anthropogenic pressure. She is interested in ‘socio-eco-evolutionary dynamics’ in coupled human and natural systems (CHANS), given that human and natural systems should no longer be considered as separate entities . She combines quantitative genetics, eco-toxicology, experimental evolution, and field studies. Kristien has an expertise in studying phytoplankton and zooplankton, and is eager to start working on taxa with both terrestrial and aquatic life stages (e.g. amphibians, mosquitos).

• Brans, K. I., Jansen, M., Vanoverbeke, J., Tüzün, N., Stoks, R., & De Meester, L. (2017). The heat is on: Genetic adaptation to urbanization mediated by thermal tolerance and body size. Global Change Biology, 23, 5218-5227. 
• Des Roches, S., Brans, K. I., Lambert, M. R., Rivkin, L. R., Savage, A. M., Schell, C. J., . . . Alberti, M. (2021). Socio-eco-evolutionary dynamics in cities. Evolutionary Applications, 14(1), 248-267. 
• Almeida, R., Lemmens, P., De Meester, L., & Brans, K.I. (2021). Differential local genetic adaptation to pesticide use in organic and conventional agriculture in an aquatic non-target species. Proceedings of the Royal Society B .288:20211903.