Bart Nyssen is a forest ecologist at KU Leuven – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences – specializing in sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and the contribution of forest ecosystems to climate mitigation across Europe. Trained in ecological sciences and land-use systems, his work advances evidence-based forest governance and ecosystem resilience. His research integrates field-based ecological observations, landscape-scale analysis, and policy-oriented environmental assessment.
Nyssen has participated in multidisciplinary projects investigating forest dynamics under climate stress, carbon sequestration capacity, and the ecological consequences of land-use change. A central theme in his scholarship is the maintenance of structural diversity in forest ecosystems to enhance biodiversity while sustaining long-term productivity and ecosystem functionality. He collaborates with academic institutions, governmental agencies, and civil society organizations to translate scientific knowledge into practical policy frameworks. His expertise includes adaptive forest management, ecosystem services valuation, and resilience-based management approaches. Through research and advisory engagement, Nyssen contributes to science-informed strategies that align ecological integrity with climate objectives and sustainable European forestry.
Scientist: Bart Nyssen
Primary forests: ‘Allowing biodiversity to spread out again’
“Primary forests can help the EU meet several of its objectives, including its targets under the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy 2030. They would also help with key climate objectives by providing long-term carbon storage”, says expert Bart Nyssen. Nyssen is a forest ecologist at the Department of Earth & Environmental ...