Take part in scientific research on biodiversity
During the citizen science project Aanwaaiers, you can contribute to biodiversity research from your own garden or balcony.
Monique de Jager, researcher at the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, studies how biodiversity changes over time. An important part of her research focuses on how plant seeds are dispersed. Until now, Monique has mostly studied this using existing data and mathematical models. But how does seed dispersal actually happen in real life? With Aanwaaiers, she wants to investigate this together with residents of Utrecht and surrounding areas.
Biodiversity
“Seed dispersal is the starting point for biodiversity,” Monique explains. One important way plant species reach new places is by seeds that ‘hitchhike’ on the wind. Wind dispersal therefore plays an important role in biodiversity and can connect different areas. “If the distance between areas becomes too great, seeds will no longer be able to reach them by wind. That is bad for biodiversity.”
We think fewer seeds disperse within the city because there are fewer plants around. My research will examine whether this is actually the case.
Fewer seeds in the city?
“We think fewer seeds disperse within the city because there are fewer plants around. My research will examine whether this is actually the case,” Monique says. She is curious about how seeds are dispersed by the wind in urban areas. Since she needs help collecting data from as many locations as possible, she started the ‘Aanwaaiers’ citizen science project.
Eighteen species in one pot
In 2025, fourteen primary schools already participated in Aanwaaiers. Pupils placed pots of soil outside and waited to see which plants would appear. the pots were later collected by researchers from the Botanical Gardens and grown further in greenhouses, so the researchers could determine which plant species had been 'blown in' by the wind. The children were thrilled: “There were suddenly plants even though we didn’t put any seeds in!” One school even discovered eighteen different species in their pots.
Everyone can participate!
This year, Aanwaaiers is expanding and anyone can contribute to Monique’s research from home. Taking part is simple: you place a pot of soil in your garden or on your balcony for six weeks, give it some water now and then, and wait to see what blows in. On the Aanwaaiers Day on 17 May, you return your pot to the Botanic Gardens, where there will also be a fun and educational programme about the research.
Using the data from all the pots, Monique can better map the relationship between urban nature and seed dispersal. This will ultimately help reveal where in the Utrecht region nature can still thrive on its own and where extra support may be needed.
Lustrum 2026: Connect. Create Change.
In 2026, Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht celebrate their joint anniversary: 390 years of collaboration and progress in research, healthcare and education. We work together on new solutions that really matter to everyone in our city and society. The celebration will focus on connection, because together we can make a real difference. The Botanic Host various lustrum activities, among which Aanwaaiers. Find the full lustrum programme on this page.
