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Frederic Lens

Frederic Lens

“I am fascinated by the endless variation of growth forms in flowering plants and its evolutionary adaptive significance”. Starting with a plant anatomical background, I later learned how to functionally interpret anatomical observations with respect to drought stress tolerance. As an evolutionary biologist, I am eager to better understand why plants become woody during evolutionary history and why these woodiness transitions developed hundreds of times. By combining models of evolution and ecology with experimental work, I am developing a new, multidisciplinary line of research on the topic of wood evolution that will yield unprecedented insights to better understand how wild plants and crops react to drought stress in a world facing global change.

Keywords

Derived woodiness, drought stress tolerance, evolution of woodiness, hydraulic failure, insular woodiness, molecular wood pathway, wood anatomy

Dr. Frederic Lens

Group Leader
Functional Traits

frederic.lens@naturalis.nl
+31 (0)71 7519320
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ORCID
 

Evolution towards Woodiness
Finding the drivers

Why have so many herbaceous lineages returned to a woody life form? Are the environmental and genetic drivers of wood formation similar or different across lineages?

I discovered that transitions from herbaceousness towards derived woodiness have happened at least 700 times independently during evolutionary history of flowering plants. This raises the intriguing question what are the environmental and genetic drivers of wood formation across all these transitions. 

Wood anatomical cross sections
This is Frederic Lens holding a giant woody cabbage

Current
topics

A selection of the topics I am working on currently.

QTL experiment in Brassica oleracea

QTL experiment with giant woody cabbage

What are the key regulatory genes involved in wood formation? And are these regulatory genes the same in all independent woodiness transitions? And how much overlap is there between the regulatory pathways leading to woodiness and drought? To this day…
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Identification of traded wood samples

Identification of traded timbers

Can we help safeguarding our forests by providing customs officers and other stakeholders with a timber tracking tool allowing them to identify illegally logged wood samples? A case study in ebony woods.
Read more

Key
publications

  • Dória L.C., Podadera D.S., del Arco M., Chauvin T., Smets E., Delzon S., Lens F. 2018. Insular woody daisies (Argyranthemum, Asteraceae) are more resistant to drought-induced hydraulic failure than their herbaceous relatives. Functional Ecology 32: 1467-1478.
  • Lens F., Picon-Cochard C., Delmas C., Signarbieux C., Buttler A., Jansen S., Chauvin T., Chacon Dória L., del Arco M., Cochard H., Delzon S. 2016. Herbaceous angiosperms are not more vulnerable to drought-induced embolism than angiosperm trees. Plant Physiology 172: 661-667.
  • Choat B., Jansen S., Brodribb T.J., Cochard H., Delzon S., Bhaskar R., Bucci S., Feild T.S., Gleason S.M., Hacke U.G., Jacobsen A.L., Lens F., Maherali H., Martinez-Vilalta J., Mayr S., Mencuccini M., Mitchell P.J., Nardini A., Pittermann J., Pratt R.B., Sperry J.S., Westoby M., Wright I.J., Zanne A. 2012. Global convergence in the vulnerability of forests to drought. Nature 491: 752-756.
  • Lens F., Sperry J.S., Christman M.A., Choat B., Rabaey D., Jansen S. 2011. Testing hypotheses that link wood anatomy to cavitation resistance and hydraulic conductivity in the genus Acer. New Phytologist 190: 709-723.
  • Melzer S., Lens F., Gennen J., Vanneste S., Rhode A., Beeckman T. 2008. Flowering-time genes modulate meristem determinacy and growth form in Arabidopsis. Nature Genetics 40: 1489-1492.

PhD and postdoc
supervision

My team currently includes three postdocs and two PhD students, and a number of BSc and MSc students.

    • Kasper Hendriks - postdoc - Exploring massive convergent evolution towards woodiness in Brassicaceae
    • Alex Zizka - postdoc - Reaching for the sky: unravelling global patterns and processes to explain convergent evolution of woodiness in angiosperms
    • Maximilian Larter - postdoc - Herb hydraulics: testing the role of root pressure to unravel the dynamics of drought- induced vascular dysfunction in stems
    • Mehrdad Jahanbanifard - PhD - Identification of ebony woods used in music instruments based on computational phenotyping and chemical profiling
    • Ajaree Thonglim - PhD - Assessing structure-function relationships in stems and leaves of Brassicaceae
    view Teide Echium wildprettii

    Teaching
    activities

    • BSc: Biodiversity of Plants - Tree of Life (plant anatomy), Leiden Univ.
    • BSc: MINOR Scales in Biodiversity (integrated wood anatomy), Leiden Univ.
    • MSc: Development and Evolution (derived woodiness), Leiden Univ.

    Student
    projects

    The following projects are available to BSc and MSc students

    tomaat fruit

    Positive root pressure and xylem repair

    The main aim of this project is to further our understanding of the conditions under which positive root pressures develop in the tomato plant, and to test the hypothesis that the ability to generate positive root pressure enhances drought-resistance.
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    brassica

    Response to drought of a giant woody cabbage cross

    This project will aim to determine the differences in water-use behavior and hydraulic traits related to drought-resistance, and various molecular responses to drought stress between the two parents and a number of offspring genotypes selected to represent…
    Read more

    In the
    media

    • The potential implication of making crops more woody (in Dutch)
    • Forests suffer from drought stress (in English)
    • Compilation of global functional trait TRY database (in English)
    • Woody Arabidopsis mutant (in English)
    Frederic lens presentatie

    Publications

    2020

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Kattge J., ... Lens F., ... Wirth C. 2020. TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access. Global Change Biology 26: 119–188. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14904
    Thonglim A., Delzon S., Larter M., Karami O., Rahimi A., Offringa R., Keurentjes J.J.B., Balazadeh S., Smets E., Lens F. 2020. Intervessel pit membrane thickness best explains variation in embolism resistance amongst stems of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Annals of Botany: mcaa196. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaa196
    2019

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Li S., Hao G.-Y., Niinemtes Ü., Harley P.C., Wanke S., Lens F., Zhang Y.-J., Cao K.-F. 2019. The effects of intervessel pit characteristics on xylem hydraulic efficiency and photosynthesis in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species. Physiologia Plantarum 167: 661-675. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12923
    https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12923
    Trueba S., Delzon S., Isnard S., Lens F. 2019. Similar hydraulic efficiency and safety across vesselless angiosperms and vessel-bearing species with scalariform perforation plates. Journal of Experimental Botany 70 (12) : 3227-3240. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erz133
    Bortolami G., Gambetta G.A., Delzon S., Lamarque L.J., Pouzoulet J., Badel E., Burlett R., Charrier G., Cochard H., Dayer S., Jansen S., King A., Lecomte P., Lens F., Torres-Ruiz J.M., Delmas C.E.L. 2019. Exploring the hydraulic failure hypothesis of esca leaf symptom formation. Plant Physiology 181: 1163-1174. DOI https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.00591
    Dória L.C., Podadera D.S., Lima R.S., Lens F., Marcati C.R. 2019. Axial sampling height outperforms site as predictor of wood trait variation. IAWA Journal 40 (2) : 191-214. DOI https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-40190245
    Dória L.C., Meijs C., Podadera D.S., del Arco M., Smets E., Delzon S., Lens F. 2019. Embolism resistance in stems of herbaceous Brassicaceae and Asteraceae is linked with differences in woodiness and precipitation. Annals of Botany 124: 1-13. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy233
    Medeiros J.S., Lens F., Maherali H., Jansen S. 2019. Vestured pits and scalariform perforation plate morphology modify the relationships between angiosperm vessel diameter, climate and maximum plant height. New Phytologist 221 (4) : 1802-1813. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15536
    2018

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Bruelheide H., Dengler J., Purschke O., Lenoir J., Jiménez-Alfaro B., Hennekens S.M., Botta-Dukát Z., Chytrý M., Field R., Jansen F., Kattge J., Pillar V.D., Schrodt F., Mahecha M., Peet R.K., Sandel B., van Bodegom P., Altman J., Alvarez Davila E., Arfin Khan M.A.S., Attorre F., Aubin I., Baraloto C., Barroso J.G., Bauters M., Bergmeier E., Biurrun I., Bjorkman A.D., Blonder B., Čarni A., Cayuela L., Černý T., Cornelissen J.H.C., Craven D., Dainese M., Derroire G., De Sanctis M., Díaz S., Doležal J., Farfan-Rios W., Feldpausch T.R., Fenton N.J., Garnier E., Guerin G.R., Gutiérrez A.G., Haider S., Hattab T., Henry G., Hérault B., Higuchi P., Hölzel N., Homeier J., Jentsch A., Jürgens N., Kącki Z., Karger D.N., Kessler M., Kleyer M., Knollová I., Korolyuk A.Y., Kühn I., Laughlin D.C., Lens F., Loos J., Louault F., Lyubenova M.I., Malhi Y., Marcenò C., Mencuccini M., Müller J.V., Munzinger J., Myers-Smith I.H., Neill D.A., Niinemets Ü., Orwin K.H., Ozinga W.A., Penuelas J., Pérez-Haase A., Petřík P., Phillips O.L., Pärtel M., Reich P.B., Römermann C., Rodrigues A.V., Sabatini F.M., Sardans J., Schmidt M., Seidler G., Silva Espejo J.E., Silveira M., Smyth A., Sporbert M., Svenning J.-C., Tang Z., Thomas R., Tsiripidis I., Vassilev K., Violle C., Virtanen R., Weiher E., Welk E., Wesche K., Winter M., Wirth C., Jandt U. 2018. Global trait-environment relationships of plant communities. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2: 1906-1917. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0699-8
    Volaire F., Lens F., Cochard H., Xu H., Chacon-Doria L., Bristiel P., Balachowski J., Rowe N., Violle C., Picon-Cochard C. 2018. Embolism and mechanical resistances play a key role in dehydration tolerance of a perennial grass Dactylis glomerata L.. Annals of Botany: 1-12. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy073
    Pfautsch S., Aspinwall M.J., Drake J.E., Chacon Dória L., Langelaan R.J.A., Tissue D.T., Tjoelker M.G., Lens F. 2018. Traits and trade-offs in whole-tree hydraulic architecture along the vertical axis of Eucalyptus grandis. Annals of Botany 121: 129-141. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcx137
    Doria L.C., Podadera D.S., del Arco M., Chauvin T., Smets E., Delzon S., Lens F. 2018. Insular woody daisies (Argyranthemum, Asteraceae) are more resistant to drought-induced hydraulic failure than their herbaceous relatives. Functional Ecology 32: 1467-1478. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13085
    Mrad A., Domec J.-C., Huang C.-W., Lens F., Katul G. 2018. A network model links wood anatomy to xylem tissue hydraulic behaviour and vulnerability to cavitation. Plant, Cell & Environment 41 (12) : 2718-2730. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13415
    Ahmad H.B., Lens F., Capdeville G., Burlett R., Lamarque L.J., Delzon S. 2018. Intraspecific variation in embolism resistance and stem anatomy across four sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) accessions. Physiologia Plantarum 163: 59-72. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12654
    Osorio L., Trujillo E., Lens F., Ivens J., Vuure A.W. van, Verpoest I. 2018. In-depth study of the microstructure of bamboo fibres and their relation to the mechanical properties. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 37 (17) : 1099-1113. DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684418783055
    2017

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Cailleret M., Jansen S., Robert E.M.R., DeSoto L., Aakala T., Antos J., Beikircher B., Bigler C., Bugmann H., Caccianiga M., Cada V., Camarero J.J., Cherubini P., Cochard H., Coyea M., Cufar K., Das A., Davi H., Delzon S., Dorman M., Gea-Izquierdo G., Gillner S., Haavik L.J., Hartmann H., Heres A.M., Hultine K., Janda P., Kane J., Kharuk V.I., Kitzberger T., Klein T., Kramer K., Lens F., Levanic T., Linares Calderon C.J.C., Lloret F., Lobo-Do-Vale R., Lombardi F.C., Lopez Rodriguez R., Makinen H., Mayr S., Mészáros I., Metsaranta J.M., Minunno F., Oberhuber W., Ojeda V.S., Papadopoulos A., Peltoniemi M., Petritan A.M., Rohner B., Sangüesa-Barreda G., Sarris D., Smith J.M., Stan A., Sterck F., Stojanovic D., Suarez M.L., Svoboda M., Tognetti R., Torres-Ruiz J., Trotsiuk V., Villalba R., Vodde F., Westwood A., Wyckoff P., Zafirov N., Martínez-Vilalta J. 2017. A global synthesis of radial growth patterns preceding tree mortality. Global Change Biology 23: 1675–1690. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13535
    Neupane S., Lewis P.O., Dessein S., Shanks H., Paudyal S., Lens F. 2017. Evolution of woody life form on tropical mountains in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). American Journal of Botany 104: 419–438. DOI https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1600248
    Schwallier R., Gravendeel B., de Boer H., van Heuven B.J., Sieder A., Sumail S., van Vugt R., Nylinder S., Lens F. 2017. Evolution of wood anatomical characters in Nepenthes and close relatives of Caryophyllales. Annals of Botany 119: 1179-1193. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcx010
    Trueba S., Pouteau R., Lens F., Field T.S., Isnard S., Olson M.E., Delzon S. 2017. Vulnerability to xylem embolism as a major correlate of the environmental distribution of rain forest species on a tropical island. Plant, Cell & Environment 40: 277-289. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12859
    2016

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Angyalossy V., Pace M.R., Evert R.F., Marcati C.R., Oskolski A.A., Terrazas T., Kotina E., Lens F., Mazzoni-Viveiros S.C., Angeles G., Machado S.R., Crivellaro A., Rao K.S., Junikka L., Nikolaeva N., Baas P. 2016. IAWA List of Microscopic Bark Features. IAWA Journal 37: 517-615. DOI https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-20160151
    Gleason S.M., Westoby M., Jansen S., Choat B., Hacke U.G., Pratt R.B., Bhaskar R., Brodribb T.J., Bucci S.J., Cao K-F., Cochard H., Delzon S., Domec J-C., Fan Z-X., Field T.S., Jacobsen A.L., Johnson D.M., Lens F., Maherali H., Martínez-Vilalta J., Mayr S., McCulloh K.A., Mencuccini M., Mitchell P.J., Morris H., Nardini A., Pittermann J., Plavcová L., Schreiber S.G., Sperry J.S., Wright I.J., Zanne A.E. 2016. Weak tradeoff between xylem safety and xylem-specific hydraulic efficiency across the world’s woody plant species. New Phytologist 209: 13 p. 123-136. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13646
    Lens F., Picon-Cochard C., Delmas C., Signarbieux C., Buttler A., Jansen S., Chauvin T., Chacon Doria L., Arco M. del, Cochard H., Delzon S. 2016. Herbaceous angiosperms are not more vulnerable to drought-induced embolism than angiosperm trees.. Plant Physiology 172: 661-667. DOI https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.16.00829
    Li S., Lens F., Espino S., Karimi Z., Klepsch M., Schenk H.J., Schmitt M., Schuldt B., Jansen S. 2016. Intervessel pit membrane thickness as a key determinant of embolism resistance in angiosperm xylem. IAWA Journal 37: 152-171. DOI https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-20160128
    Kidner C., Groover A., Thomas D., Emelianova K., Soliz-Gamboa C., Lens F. 2016. First steps in studying the origins of secondary woodiness in Begonia (Begoniaceae): combining anatomy, phylogenetics, and stem transcriptomics. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 117: 17 p. 121-138. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12492
    Lens F., Vos R., Charrier G., Niet T. van der, Merckx V., Baas P., Aguirre Gutierrez J., Jacobs B., Chacon Doria L., Smets E., Delzon S., Janssens S. 2016. Scalariform-to-simple transition in vessel perforation plates triggered by differences in climate during the evolution of Adoxaceae. Annals of Botany 118 (5) : 1043-1056. DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcw151
    Gleason S.M., Westoby M., Jansen S., Choat B., Brodribb T.J., Cochard H., Delzon S., Hacke U.G., Jacobsen A.L., Johnson D.M., Lens F., Maherali H., Martínez-Vilalta J., Mayr S., McCulloh K.A., Morris H., Nardini A., Plavcová L., Pratt R.B., Schreiber S.G., Zanne A.E. 2016. On research priorities to advance understanding of the safety-efficiency tradeoff in xylem. A response to Bittencourt et al.’s (2016) comment ‘On xylem hydraulic efficiencies, wood space-use and the safety–efficiency tradeoff’: in this issue of New Phytologist, pp. 1152–1155. New Phytologist 211 (4) : 1156–1158. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14043
    2015

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Merckx V.S.F.T., Hendriks K.P., Beentjes K.K., Mennes C.B., Becking L.E., Peijnenburg K.T.C.A., Afendy A., Arumugam N., de Boer H., Biun A., Buang M.M., Chen P.-P., Chung A.Y.C., Dow R., Feijen F.A.A., Feijen H., Feijen-van Soest C, Geml J., Geurts R., Gravendeel B., Hovenkamp P., Imbun P., Ipor I., Janssens S.B., Jocqué M. Kappes H., Khoo E., Koomen P., Lens F., Majapun R.J., Morgado L.N., Neupane S., Nieser N., Pereira J.T., Rahman H., Sabran S., Sawang A., Schwallier R.M., Shim P.-S., Smit H., Sol N., Spait M., Stech M., Stokvis F., Sugau J.B., Suleiman M., Sumail S., Thomas D.C., van Tol J., Tuh F.Y.Y., Yahya B.E., Nais J., Repin R., Lakim M. & Schilthuizen M. 2015. Evolution of endemism on a young tropical mountain. Nature 524 (7565) : 347-350. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14949
    2014

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Zhang N.W., Zhao J.J., Lens F., Visser J. de, Menamo T., Fang W., Xiao D., Bucher J., Basnet R.K., Lin K., Cheng F., Wang X.W., Bonnema G. 2014. Morphology, carbohydrate composition and vernalization response in a genetically diverse collection of Asian and European turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa). PLOS ONE 9 (12) : e114241. DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114241
    2013

    Books as editor

    Baas P., Battipaglia G., Micco V. De, Lens F., Wheeler E. (eds.) 2013. Wood structure in plant biology and ecology. IAWA Journal. 34: 180 p. BRILL, Leiden, The Netherlands. ISBN 9789004265592.

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2012

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Lens F., Cooper L., Gandolfo M.A., Groover A., Jaiswal P., Lachenbruch B., Spicer R., Staton M.E., Stevenson D.W., Walls R.L., Wegrzyn J. 2012. An extension of the plant ontology project supporting wood anatomy and development research. IAWA Journal 33 (2) : 113-117.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/429515
    Choat B., Jansen S., Brodribb T.J., Cochard H., Delzon S., Bhaskar R., Bucci S.J., Feild T.S., Gleason S.M., Hacke U.G., Jacobsen A.L., Lens F., Maherali H., Martinez-Vilalta J., Mayr S., Mencuccini M., Mitchell P.J., Nardini A., Pittermann J., Pratt R.B., Sperry J.S., Westoby M., Wright I.J., Zanne A.E. 2012. Global convergence in the vulnerability of forests to drought. Nature 491 (7426) : 752-756. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11688
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/453830
    2011

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Kattge J., Diaz S., Lavorel S., Prentice C., Leadley P., Boenisch G., Garnier E., Westoby M., Reich P.B., Wright I.J., Cornelissen J.H.C., Violle C., Harrison S.P., Bodegom P.M. van, Reichstein M., Enquist B.J., Soudzilovskaia N.A., Ackerly D.D., Anand M., Atkin O., Bahn M., Baker T.R., Baldocchi D., Bekker R., Blanco C.C., Blonder B., Bond W.J., Bradstock R., Bunker D.E., Casanoves F., Cavender-Bares J., Chambers J.Q., Chapin F.S. III, Chave J., Coomes D., Cornwell W.K., Craine J.M., Dobrin B.H., Duarte L., Durka W., Elser J., Esser G., Estiarte M., Fagan W.F., Fang J., Fernandez-Mendez F., Fidelis A., Finegan B., Flores O., Ford H., Frank D., Freschet G.T., Fyllas N.M., Gallagher R.V., Green W.A., Gutierrez A.G., Hickler T., Higgins S.I., Hodgson J.G., Jalili A., Jansen S., Joly C.A., Kerkhoff A.J., Kirkup D., Kitajima K., Kleyer M., Klotz S., Knops J.M.H., Kramer K., Kuehn I., Kurokawa H., Laughlin D., Lee T.D., Leishman M., Lens F., Lenz T., Lewis S.L., Lloyd J., Llusia J., Louault F., Ma S., Mahecha M.D., Manning P., Massad T., Medlyn B.E., Messier J., Moles A.T., Mueller S.C., Nadrowski K., Naeem S., Niinemets U., Noellert S., Nueske A., Ogaya R., Oleksyn J., Onipchenko V.G., Onoda Y., Ordonez J., Overbeck G., Ozinga W.A., Patino S., Paula S., Pausas J.G., Penuelas J., Phillips O.L., Pillar V., Poorter H., Poorter L., Poschlod P., Prinzing A., Proulx R., Rammig A., Reinsch S., Reu B., Sack L., Salgado-Negre B., Sardans J., Shiodera S., Shipley B., Siefert A., Sosinski E., Soussana J.-F., Swaine E., Swenson N., Thompson K., Thornton P., Waldram M., Weiher E., White M., White S., Wright S.J., Yguel B., Zaehle S., Zanne A.E., Wirth C. 2011. TRY - a global database of plant traits. Global Change Biology 17 (9) : 2905-2935. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02451.x
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/423730
    2010

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2009

    Chapters in book

    Lens F., Jansen S. 2009. Wood and Timber: Theophrastaceae. Series A: Phanerogams Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, UK.

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2008

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Lens F., Karehed J., Baas P., Jansen S., Rabaey D., Huysmans S., Hamann T., Smets E. 2008. The wood anatomy of the polyphyletic Icacinaceae s.l., and their relationships within asterids. Taxon 57 (2) : 525-552.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/424648
    Rabaey D., Huysmans S., Lens F., Smets E., Jansen S. 2008. Micromorphology and systematic distribution of pit membrane thickenings in Oleaceae: tori and pseudo-tori. IAWA Journal 29 (4) : 409-424.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/429536
    2007

    Chapters in book

    Smets E., Lens F. 2007. Figuren Morfologie.: 142 p. Uitgeverij ACCO, Leuven, Belgium. ISBN 9789033465208.
    Smets E., Lens F. 2007. Cursustekst Morfologie.: 114 p. IV-114. Uitgeverij ACCO, Leuven, Belgium. ISBN 9789033465208.
    Baas P., Lens F., Wheeler E.A. 2007. Wood Anatomy. Apocynaceae (subfamilies Rauvolfioideae and Apocynoideae). 18 National Herbarium of the Netherlands, Leiden, The Netherlands.
    Lens F., Jacobs B., Jansen S., Smets E. 2007. Practicumhandleiding Morfologie en Anatomie.: 94 p. III-94. Uitgeverij ACCO, Leuven, Belgium. ISBN 9789033465208.
    Smets E., Lens F. 2007. Cursustekst Fysiologie.: 120 p. III-120. Uitgeverij ACCO, Leuven, Belgium. ISBN 9789033465208.

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Jansen S., Sano Y., Choat B., Rabaey D., Lens F., Dute R.R. 2007. Pit membranes in tracheary elements of Rosaceae and related families: New records of tori and pseudotori. American Journal of Botany 94 (4) : 503-514.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/423505
    2006

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2005

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Dessein S., Ochoterena H., Block P. de, Lens F., Robbrecht E., Schols P., Smets E., Vinckier S., Huysmans S. 2005. Palynological characters and their phylogenetic signal in Rubiaceae. Botanical Review 71 (3) : 354-414.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/407298
    2004

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    Jansen S., Baas P., Gasson P., Lens F., Smets E. 2004. Variation in xylem structure from tropics to tundra: Evidence from vestured pits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101 (23) : 8833-8837.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/423503
    Lens F., Smets E., Jansen S. 2004. Comparative wood anatomy of Andromedeae s.s., Gaultherieae, Lyonieae and Oxydendreae (Vaccinioideae, Ericaceae s.l.). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 144 (2) : 161-179.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/424620
    Lens F., Kron K.A., Luteyn J.L., Smets E., Jansen S. 2004. Comparative wood anatomy of the blueberry tribe (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae s.l). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 91 (4) : 566-592.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/423810
    Lens F., Luteyn J.L., Smets E., Jansen S. 2004. Ecological trends in the wood anatomy of Vaccinioideae (Ericaceae s.l.). Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants 199 (4) : 309-319.
    http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/424624
    2003

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2001

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed

    2000

    Journals SCI, peer-reviewed