The research group of Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO) was created in 1974 by prof. Ivan Impens. From 2000-2019 prof. Reinhart Ceulemans was directing the research group; since 1 October 2019 prof. Ivan Nijs is leading the research group. The group has grown to 60 full- time members at present. The overarching theme of the research group is the study of the effects of global changes – in the broadest meaning of the term – on plants and vegetations. More on the homepage of the research group