The Methusalem-project ECO studies the effects on the changes in the abiotical environment on eco systems, based on the state and health of plants and animals. All hierarchical organisation levels are being studied, from cells, over organisms, polpulations, ecosystems, landscapes and regio's, up to continents and even globally. The ECO researchers are very active on different levels. Plants are an important (but not the only) focus, seen that they form the basis of life on earth and are the fundaments of every eco system.