Secondly, although anthropomorphism can give viewers an unrealistic image of nature, it is also an important strategy to engage viewers in the film and it helps to foster conservation behavior. Thirdly, the impact of nature films on viewers increases when providing the moviegoers with follow-up support. This support can range from handing out bumper stickers to integrated education program.

I conclude that there is no single approach for wildlife films to educate and activate the viewer. Different budgets, aims and subjects lead to different films. There is also no single right or wrong approach. De Nieuwe Wildernis is an example of a film that required a specific approach. My theory is that this film had negative consequences because of a something specific to the this film, the area and its management. I suspect that the use of anthropomorphism caused an intimate bond between viewers and the animals, one in which the viewers relate to the emotions of the animals. In contrast, the type management of the area requires a different ethical view on the animals. This view requires a more distant relationship with the animals. Perhaps these two contrasting visions collided and caused the ethical discussion. Ruben smit, co-director of the Nieuwe Wildernis has a hopeful viewpoint. He states that no matter what type of film you make, be it a blue-chip or a conservation film, as long as it’s a good film, it will reach a large audience.

Nevertheless, to my opinion, the arguments supporting the proposition are stronger than those against the proposition. It is important that developing countries are provided with adequate funds in order to safeguard nature, and these funds should be provided by developing countries.

It is an extremely difficult task cooperate on a global scale and invest in the distant future. It simply goes against human nature. Nevertheless, it is necessary that major changes need to be made to save nature, and those changes need to be made now.

During autumn 2017 in nature park the Maashorst the soil fauna was studied. This study was executed in an area where young sycamores were planted with different treatments (mineral fertilizer, gel granules, a combination of those two and a control treatment). To test the effect of these treatments, 10 soil samples were taken from each treatment. Using Tullgren funnels, the samples were analyzed by hand, counting, identifying and measuring the macrofauna. By using these measurements, the biomass of the fauna was estimated.

Results showed a difference in soil fauna biomass between the different treatments. In the soil containing mineral fertilizer a higher soil fauna biomass was found, compared to the soil containing gel granule treatment and combination treatment (gel granule and mineral fertilizer).  Furthermore, the results showed a correlation between total soil fauna biomass and the size of the organic layer in the soil. Lastly, the size of the organic layer was higher in soil containing gel granules.

In this literature review I will study the Wisents in the Maashorst and what could happen when exposing the reserve to these large herbivores. First I study the ecology and landscapes in the Maashorst. Then I describe the ecology of the wisents, especially their grazing behavior. Thereafter I focus on the wisent population in the Maashorst and the current policy. Finally, I give my opinion on this policy and conclude what this could mean for the future of the Maashorst.

In a montane rainforest in the northwest of Ecuador, I studied what type of ant-following behavior (obligate or opportunistic) different ant-following bird species show. To determine this, the first approach was to study their use of vocalizations of other ant-followers to track swarms of Eciton burchelli. It was hypothesized that only obligate ant-following birds find swarms by tracking the vocalizations of other obligate ant-following birds.

To test this, recordings of specific species were played back to see if they attract ant-followers (if they do, the species can be considered as obligate) and which ant-followers they attract (the species that are attracted can also be considered as obligate).

The second approach was to estimate territory size and travel distance of different ant-following bird species to potential army ant raids. As obligate ant-following birds track swarms of several army ant colonies per day, it is hypothesized that they have to travel greater distances in order to find the swarms and therefore have a bigger territory than opportunistic ant-followers.

To combine studying the response of the ant-followers to playback with studying territory size and travel distance, playback experiments were conducted at different locations. In this way, the individual ant-followers that were attracted to the playback were also used to estimate the territory size and traveling distance of their species.

Results showed that the Bicolored Antbird, the Zeledon’s Antbird and the Plain-brown Woodcreeper are obligate ant-followers, although the Bicolored Antbird did not seem to use vocalizations to track ant swarms. The Esmeraldas Antbird, Chestnut-Backed Antbird and Spotted Woodcreeper are considered as opportunistic ant-followers, although the Spotted Woodcreeper seemed to use vocalizations to track ant swarms.

For accurately estimating territory sizes and traveling distance the research area of 15 ha was found to be too small. For further studies on territory sizes and traveling distance, using radio tags and a bigger research area is recommended.

For winter and breeding birds the target species drawn up by natura 2000 were used as a reference point.  Furthermore,  the Hedelse waard, a comparable area lying on the other side of the Meuse, was also used as a reference point. Additionally, the amount of observed red list bird species has been noted. It appeared that 4 of the 14 natura 2000 target species occurred and 13 red list species were observed. The Hedelse waard was shown to be fairly similar to the Empelse in terms of bird species.

Follow-up monitoring of birds and water quality is recommended to be able to follow the development of the Empelse waard.