slm thesis research vacancies 2015 soil physics ... - wur
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This booklet provides an overview of current thesis research vacancies at SLM for the master study Earth and Environment. If you follow another master study, the contact person of the particular topic will decide whether your background is suitable. The topics are divided in 5 categories:
1. Water 2. Solute 3. Groundwater 4. Vegetation 5. Regional studies
The list is not exhaustive. If you have a topic in mind which relates to soil physics and land management and which is not listed here, don’t hesitate to contact us. For general questions or an intake to get better guidance please contact: Klaas.Metselaar@wur. nl (tel. 85322)
SLM thesis research vacancies 2015 Soil Physics & Processes
Overview of master thesis topics
# Water Supervisor W1 Residence times of the water in lake Goto, Bonaire Klaas Metselaar W2 Evapotranspiration of partly covered soils Jos van Dam W3 Analyzing moisture stress in vegetation mixtures Klaas Metselaar W4 Design & test the perfect green roof Klaas Metselaar W5 Modeling green walls Klaas Metselaar W6 Soil map and Making Sense Jos van Dam W7 Comparison WALRUS and SWAP Jos van Dam # Solute S1 Transport of solutes in soil and groundwater: agrochemicals,
viruses, organics, metals Sjoerd van der Zee
S2 Salinity of soil and groundwater: Netherlands, Australia, Israel, world
Sjoerd van der Zee
S3 Waste water irrigation and soil quality Sjoerd van der Zee S4 Land-sea flows from a semi-arid island: can they explain deep
cyanobacteria? Klaas Metselaar
S5 Mangroves and near-coast salinization: is this an ecosystem service?
Klaas Metselaar
# Groundwater G1 Groundwater modeling and vegetation George Bier G2 Assessment of groundwater recharge in Cooper Creek, Australia Martine van der Ploeg G3 Pilot Points to calibrate groundwater models George Bier # Vegetation V1 CASCADE: ecological tipping points Jos van Dam V2 Minesite revegetation assessment in outback Australia Jerry Maroulis V3 Portugal: Forest fire effects on erosion and recovery of soil &
vegetation Jantiene Baartman
V4 Aruba: recovery of flora, fauna and water management in National Parc Arikok
Coen Ritsema
V5 Raised bog evapotranspiration from diurnal water level fluctuations Martine van der Ploeg V6 Flexible plants: adaptation to soil type and
impact on global modelling Martine van der Ploeg
V7 Dune dynamics on the Sand Motor Corjan Nolet # Regional analysis R1 Optimizing water availability with Sentinel-1 satellites: what about
field variability? Martine van der Ploeg
R2 Preventing and remediating degradation of soils in Europe through land care: RECARE
Violette Geissen
R3 Assessing the effect of soil conservation on runoff and erosion Saskia Keesstra R4 Norway: Snowmelt, frozen soils and soil erosion Jantiene Baartman R5 Portugal: Evaluating the impacts of soil conservation measures in
recently burnt areas on soil ecosystem services Luuk Fleskens
R6 Sustainable land management, sediment dynamics and carbon fluxes in Spain
Jantiene Baartman
R7 Impact of post-fire forest management on hydrology and erosion Saskia Keesstra
Residence times of the water in lake Goto,
Bonaire
Project Description
Lake Goto in Bonaire is an important feeding area for flamingos. Water quality determines the
food availability, and residence time with effects of food availability for Goto is as yet unknown.
There is a need to determine this aspect to understand water quality dynamics. The lake is unique
in that it is isolated form the sea by a coral rubble bar in an inlet with unknown dimensions
Methodology:
Determine hydraulic head (w.r. to sea level), water detphs, water temperature and water salinity
in Goto. Analyse the catchment area. Use these data to model and understand Goto-sea exchange
rates and residence times.
Research objective/question:
What is the residence time of water in lake Goto, and what are the most likely dimensions of the connection to the sea?
Host institute: Imares – Diana Slijkerman and Stinapa (Bonaire)
Country: Netherlands
Starting date: open
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]
MSc thesis research Water– topic 1
Evapotranspiration of partly covered soils
Short description Climate change will change fresh water availability for agriculture, nature conservation and industrial and drinking water supply. One of the current knowledge gaps is how soil cover affects evapotranspiration. This knowledge is required to simulate the effects of expected changes in soil cover due to climate change. The goal is therefore to gain insight in the effect of soil cover on the soil heat flux and evapotranspiration and to make this knowledge operational in the ecohydrological model SWAP. Research activities • Review literature of micrometeorological studies on soil cover and evapotranspiration • Develop concepts that quantify the feedback between soil heat flux, energy balance and
evapotranspiration • Incorporate these concepts in SWAP and test them on available test sites • Simulate the effect of climate change on groundwater recharge at relevant sites
Host institute: KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Nieuwegein, Ruud Bartholomeus
Country: Wageningen
Starting date, period: Any time, 4-6 months (minor or major)
SLM contact person: Jos van Dam (0317-484825; [email protected])
MSc thesis research Water – topic W2
Analyzing moisture stress in vegetation
mixtures
Project Description
In irrigation theory the water stress response for monocultures is very familiar. But
what about mixtures, i.e. intercropping, agroforestry or permaculture? How do
mixtures respond?
Methodology
Execute a systematic process-oriented experiment to analyze specific design aspects of water
uptake in species mixtures, and analyze it using a simple model.
Host institute: Wageningen university (Lisette Bakker, project leader)
Country: Nederland
Starting date: growing season
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar (t: 0317 485322 [email protected])
MSc thesis research Water – topic 3
Design & test the perfect green roof
Project Description
A company is interested in having its design optimized. It considers insulation by
including a layer of air in the green roof system; it considers water for the vegetation by
including foam with a high retention capacity. How to optimize this system, and what
are the physics behind it?
Methodology
Execute a systematic process-oriented experiment to analyze specific design aspects of green roof
construction with respect to hydrology and/or thermal behaviour. The minimum setup consists of
two layers; what is the effect of adding two additional layers of very different material. modelling
is an important aspect of this thesis.
Host institute: Wageningen university
Country: Nederland
Starting date: growing season
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar (t: 0317 485322 [email protected])
MSc thesis research Water – topic 4
Modeling green walls
Project Description
There is a need to extend the hydrological toolbox with a module which allows to investigate water
balance aspects of vegetated walls. One of the most important questions is that of water
requirement of vertical greens, and arrangement of irrigation systems (e.g. drip lines).
Methodology
Set up and execute an experiment in close discussion with the supervisor, allowing to answer your
research questions based on the above. Use and modify existing models to analyse your
experiment.
Specific: This topic lends itself for a two-person team.
Host institute: Wageningen university
Country: Nederland
Starting date: growing season.
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar (t: 0317 485322 [email protected])
MSc thesis research Water – topic 5
Soil map and Making Sense
In precision agriculture the use of nutrients, water, and herbicides is optimized among and within agricultural fields. Wageningen UR is involved in the research project Making Sense in which the feasibility of precision agriculture is investigated. The project uses local physical, chemical and biological soil data, sensing data of soil and crop, climate data and soil and crop models. In this MSc research we employ the soil map to derive a proper index for drought stress and irrigation needs. The analysis includes the following steps:
1. Derive spatial differences in water holding capacities and soil hydraulic functions employing the current soil map.
2. Simulate the growth of potatoes for a 30 year period, using various irrigation scenarios.
3. Derive a meta-function which can be used to derive optimal irrigation gifts using GIS and remote sensing data.
Requirements: knowledge of both agrohydrology and GIS techniques.
Guidance: Henk Wösten (Alterra), Lammert Kooistra (GRS) and Jos van Dam (SLM)
Starting date: Any time, preferably between June and November
SLM contact person: Jos van Dam (0317-484825) ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Water – topic 6
Comparison WALRUS and SWAP
WALRUS and SWAP Recently HWM developed the Wageningen Lowland Runoff Simulator (WALRUS), a lumped rainfall-runoff model for catchments, which should fill the gap between complex, spatially distributed models and simple parametric models. In Wageningen we have much experience with the Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant model (SWAP), which simulates in detail the hydrological processes at the field scale. Both models fill a different niche in hydrology, and may enforce each other. This MSc thesis research Investigates the differences and resemblances of WALRUS and SWAP and analyses how they can supplement each other. Research questions: • How do the residence times as calculated by WALRUS and SWAP compare? • Can SWAP be used to derive empirical parameters of WALRUS? • How accurate describes WALRUS the total behavior of different fields as simulated with SWAP? Research activities: Apply SWAP and WALRUS the hypothetical and measured experimental areas. Analyse their differences and resemblances. Supervision: Claudia Brauer (HWM) and Jos van Dam (SLM)
MSc thesis research Water – topic 7
Transport of solutes in soil and groundwater:
agrochemicals, viruses, organics, metals
Contamination of soil and groundwater is a major issue worldwide. It concerns a broad range of substances that differ with regard to their mobility and type of biogeochemical interactions. In addition, we have to deal with ermerging contaminants that concern authorities a lot, but nobody knows well how these behave. Examples are hormone (disruptors), viruses, nano particles, and pharmaceuticals. To acquire understanding of the transport, behaviour, and fate of the diverse contaminants, models need to be parameterized using experiments, scenario and environmental risk assessment modelling should be done, and new model concepts have to be developed, if old concepts are shown to fail. In an MSc major, experimental investigations or model studies can be done using up to date techniques and software, at Dutch & foreign institutes, consultancy, universities
MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 1
Host institute: Soil Physics, SLM, in cooperation with domestic and foreign partners
Country: diverse
Starting date: 3-5 months (minor or major), any time
SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee (0317-482103) ([email protected])
Salinity of soil and groundwater:
Netherlands, Australia, Israel, world
Water scarcity is a major reason to use salt or brackish water in semi-arid region agriculture, just as salt water intrusion is a cause of salinity problems in Dutch and other coastal areas. Poor quality irrigation water as well as re-use of waste water therefore lead to problems with soil, groundwater, and crop quality, which will grow during this century and that require scientists to help counter adverse effects. In this topic, several minor or major topics are feasible, that range from experimental (in Wageningen, abroad) to theoretical (e.g. in Wageningen, in Sydney, Australia or USA). Particularly, the topic of combining an ecohydrological model with a 2-3 D groundwater model is currently developed by staff and we would appreciate a student who is interested to simulate how salinity develops in a regional setting. Experimental research to assess how specific crops react to salinity in the root zone are also possible, provided the timing is compatible with the growing season under greenhouse conditions (or with our partner in the Negev, Israel). Other focus areas are welcome for discussion
MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 2
Host institute: Soil Physics/Ecohydrology SLM, WU, Univ. Sydney or Sao Paulo
Country: to be discussed
Starting date: 3-5 months (minor or major), any time
SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee (0317-482103) ([email protected])
Waste water irrigation and soil quality
While water reuse in agriculture seems a good idea, there are all kinds of soil quality issues, both short-term and longterm which are associated to different types of reused water (urine, grey water, brown water) or reuse products (struvite, calcium phosphate, compost). One such issue is that of sodification, which destroys soil structure. Other issues are related to effects on soil biology, and yet others are related to soil chemistry. We are looking for students who are interested to work notably on the topic of sodification and are willing to set up, execute and analyze column experiments . Changing the focus to soil biology or soil chemistry is entirely thinkable. Please feel free to discuss your interest.
Host institute:
Country: Netherlands
Starting date: 1-9-2014
ETE contact person: Marc Spiller (0317-483344; [email protected])
SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee (0317 482103; [email protected]).
MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 3
Land-sea flows from a semi-arid island: can
they explain deep cyanobacteria?
Project Description
Deep dives near the coast of Bonaire established that there are fields of cyanobacteria present.
Measurements in sea are to be complemented with the analysis of possible explanatory mechanisms. One
such possible mechanism is land-sea flow. Different flow types can be considered in the context of climate
and geology of Bonaire i.e. 1) surface freshwater flows during the rainy season; 2) groundwater base flow
from a karstic underground, 3) point source surface saltwater flows from the saltworks, 4) diffuse saline
seepage from a shallow inland lake (Pekelmeer); 5) point source flows of water from salinas (e.g. Goto lake).
Methodology:
Determine hydraulic head, water temperature and water salinity in selected near-coastal water sources. Use
these data in the model SEAWAT (USGS) to simulate flow in approximate geometries. Compare with
established in-sea salinityand temperature profiles, and with occurrence of cyanbobacteria fields.
Research objective/question:
Are land-sea flows a possible explanation for the occurrence of cyanobacteria fields on Bonaire?
Host institute: Imares – Erik Meesters (responsible)
Country: Netherlands
Starting date: open
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]
MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 4
Mangroves and near-coast salinization: is this
an ecosystem service?
Project Description
Land use pressure on coastal mangroves has led to felling mangroves. Wetlands international is analyzing
mangrove ecosystem services. Within this project there is a need to analyze the effects of mangrove on the
salt balance and the hydrological balance of land use (also aquaculture) in the coastal zone close to the
mangroves.
Methodology:
Adapt, modify and combine existing models to set up a transect model including mangrove growth, salt
balance and the water balance. The model allows to assess the effect of near coast land use changes –
including aquaculture) on the salt balance.
Research objective/question:
What is the effect of mangrove felling on the near coastal land use, notably on its salt balance?
Host institute: Wetlands international/WUR – Pieter van Eijk/Femke Tonneijck
Country: Netherlands, master students. Internship supervision is not possible at Wetlands.
Starting date: open
SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]
MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 5
Groundwater modeling and vegetation
Short description Develop reliable groundwater models in highly valued nature reserves in The Netherlands such as:
• Rode Beek (Brunsum) • Norger petgaten (Assen) • Het Witteveen (Enschede)
Host institute: chair groups SLM
Starting date, period: Any time, 4-6 months (minor or major)
SLM contact person: George Bier (0317-482830; [email protected])
MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 1
Assessment of groundwater recharge in Cooper Creek, Australia
Groundwater recharge modelling Cooper Creek is the longest and probably most ecologically important dryland river in Australia. Freshwater lenses can be found beneath the Cooper Creek floodplain near Ballera (southwest Queensland). The floodplain consists of 2-7 m of impermeable mud interspersed by sand dunes and underlain by fluvial sands. Stable water isotopes confirm the recharge is consistent with and dependent on monsoonal flooding events. Research questions: What amount of flooding induces recharge in this system and what role does the unsaturated zone in the dunes play? Research activities: This MSc. thesis involves modelling of the unsaturated and saturated zone. Conceptualization of the groundwater system, model setup, and sensitivity analysis are part of the activities. Depending on research outcome, this thesis might result in an internship with fieldwork on location. Supervision: WUR-SLM Group: Martine van der Ploeg, Jerry Maroulis and George Bier Contact person: Martine van der Ploeg (T: 483714, E-mail: [email protected])
MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 2
Pilot Points to calibrate groundwater models
Short description To calibrate (groundwater) models, parameters need to be identified first. A classical approach for this is zonation. The models flow domain is subdivided into regions i.e. zones with assumed equal hydraulic properties. Then an inversion algorithm is used to derive proper values for the individual zones. With this method of spatial parameterization, the modeler decides upon the configuration, i.e. amount, shape and size, of the zonation, mostly based on limited hydrological data (such as drillings). When Pilot Points are used, a set of imaginary drillings, the Pilot Points, is distributed randomly over the flow domain. The inversion algorithm first derives values for these points and an interpolation scheme is then used to drape this field over the flow domain assigning proper hydraulic values to the individual nodes. Research activities • review calibration and spatial parameterization techniques • develop synthetic models for testing of Pilot Points compared with e.g. zonation
techniques • implement Pilot Points in existing models and analyze the effect on the calibration
Host institute: chair groups SLM and HWM
Starting date, period: Any time, 4-6 months (minor or major)
SLM contact person: George Bier (0317-482830; [email protected])
MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 3
CASCADE: ecological tipping points
Description In the European project CASCADE various dry ecosystems in Southern Europe are investigated with respect to sudden ecological shifts that results in large losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore experimental areas have been selected in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece, in which the vegetation is monitored at different amounts of precipitation. Research institute Alterra and chair group SLM coordinate the CASCADE project. Research questions: • Which rainfall deficit can be viewed as tipping point with respect to plant survival? • At which soil moisture content does the vegetation recover? • How do climate change and land management affect the dying and regeneration of vegetation? Research activities: Analyse the plant and soil data collected in Portugal. Apply the data in a broader context with the ecohydrological model SWAP-WOFOST. Supervision: Jos van Dam and Violete Geissen (SLM)
MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 1
Minesite revegetation assessment in outback Australia
Landloch is a specialist land, soil, vegetation, and water management consultancy company that works collaboratively with clients across a wide range of industries, including mining, road, rail, pipeline, rural and urban construction, and with Local, State and Federal Government agencies. It uses high quality science to provide practical and cost effective solutions to a wide range of situations.
Landloch is seeking a student to carry out investigations of the potential to use high-resolution satellite imagery or other spatial imagery to assess revegetation on minesites, with emphasis on:
• Surface cover; • Plant density; • Species distributions; and • Delineation of areas of above- and below-average growth.
Landloch has offices in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, and this work is likely to focus on sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Landloch facilities incorporate soil and erosion laboratories, manufacturing workshops and storage facilities, with unique field and laboratory-based water infiltration and erosion measurement capabilities, which are available to support its consultancies and research projects. Any interested students are invited to discuss their options with Jerry.
Host institute: Landloch
Country: Australia
Starting date: By negotiation
SLM contact person: Jerry Maroulis, SLM (Ph: 482881; E-mail: [email protected])
MSc thesis research Vegetation – Topic 2
Portugal: Forest fire effects on erosion and recovery of soil & vegetation
Project Description In Portugal research focuses on the effects of forest fires on physical soil properties, soil erosion, vegetation dynamics etc. Several wildfires have occurred in the past in the study site and many parameters have been monitored in order to unravel the catchment’s response to wildfires. The Portuguese team consists of young and dynamic researchers who will supervise the students. Depending on the student’s interest, several research topics can be formulated, e.g.: - Soil erosion after (repeated) forest fires - Post-fire recovery of soil and vegetation - Effectiveness of post-fire soil conservation measures - Modelling soil erosion after fire Research activities: Mix of fieldwork, laboratory and data analysis. Fieldwork could consist, depending on the research focus, of sampling and measurement of soil and vegetation characteristics, measurement of runoff and soil loss from small plots.
Host institute: University of Aveiro, Portugal: Jan Jacob Keizer
Country: Portugal
Starting date: anytime / as soon as possible
SLM contact person: Jantiene Baartman (tel: 0317-486131; e-mail: [email protected])
MSc thesis research vegetation – topic 3
Aruba: recovery of flora, fauna and water management in National Parc Arikok
The research will study and analyse the effects of several 4 hectare test areas and the use of dry rivers (rooi) as a nursery for the recovery of primary water management and the original vegetation of (parts of) the Arikok National Park.
As part of this study, also the potentials of using specific plant species from CARMABI (Curacao) and local suppliers should be investigated within this context.
The research will consist of extensive field work and data analysis, and aims to result in a detailed Blue Print for the nurseries in relation to the existing unique rooi’s in Arikok, and the so-called Spanish Lagoon.
A smaller area of 1 hectare may be used as a pilot for the proposed study.
Host institute: ARIKOK National Park, Emil ter Horst ([email protected])
Country: Aruba
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Coen Ritsema ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 4
Raised bog evapotranspiration from diurnal
water level fluctuations
Project Description
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a large component of a raised bogs water balance. Therefore it is essential to estimate rate of evapotranspiration accurately. However, it is also one of the more difficult water balance components to quantify. The processes that drive the rate of ET are influenced by a combination of vegetation, surface topography, water table level, wind conditions and energy supply. Recently, several studies have tried a new approach to obtain ET from diurnal water table level fluctuations. The advantage of this approach is that water table level data can be relatively easily obtained at a large number of sites to incorporate the spatial heterogeneity at the bogs surface. Over several years we have been able to measure water table levels at 15 sites along a gradient of ecotopes and hydrological zones in a central Estonian raised bog. The aim of this project is to test the newly developed approach on water table level data from a central Estonian raised bog. The obtained ET can be compared with measured open water evaporation (ET0) at the bog to assess whether peatland vegetation enhances or depresses ET compared to open water evaporation. Interests/skills: soil-water-vegetation interactions, eco-hydrology, data analysis
Host institute: UFZ Leipzig/Wageningen University
Country: Germany/Netherlands
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Martine van der Ploeg ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 6
Flexible plants: adaptation to soil type and
impact on global modelling
Project Description
From an evolutionary perspective plants that inhabit their optimal ecological niche will have
optimized their adaptation to local conditions. Species that are subjected to the same climate, but
grow in different soils may have optimized their root water uptake for that particular soil. Hence,
comparing two conceptual approaches, (evapo)transpiration modeled with uniform root
parameters will yield differences for the loam and the sand soil, while the concept accounting for
local optimization of root parameters to soil water availability may even yield a uniform
evapotranspiration. Insight inspecific soil/plant adaptations may provide better vadose zone
approaches in land surface modeling. This proposed thesis will investigate plant adaptive
mechanisms and impacts on evapotranspiration in a simple modelling approach.
Host institute: Wageningen University
Country: Netherlands
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Martine van der Ploeg ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 6
Dune dynamics on the Sand Motor
Project description Every decade water level of the North Sea rises by 2-3 cm. This is alarming for a country as the Netherlands considering large parts are already below sea level. It puts urgency on finding coastal defense strategies that are able to adapt to climate change. In this context a vast amount of sand was laid down along a stretch of the Dutch coast in 2011. An important expected result of this ‘Sand Motor’ is increased transport of sand by wind over the beach towards the dunes, enabling the dunes to naturally grow in volume. However, due to high spatial-temporal variability of wind-driven sand transport, the rates at which new dunes develop remain difficult to predict. Research activities Research focuses on the relationship between sand transport and dune development. This relationship is investigated through in-situ measurements and state-of-the-art aerial mapping with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This MSc-thesis combines data acquisition (field work) with data analysis and can, depending on research outcome, result in a research paper.
Host institute: Wageningen University
Country: The Netherlands
Starting date: September 2015
SLM contact person: [email protected] (0317-483483)
MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 7
Optimizing water availability with Sentinel-1
satellites: what about field variability?
Project Description
Many deltas around the world experience increasing pressure on their water systems as a result of
changes in supply and demand caused by socio-economic developments as well as climate
variability. The grand challenge for regional water managers worldwide is to optimize the amount
of water available for all functions according to their respective needs by retaining or draining
water. Indispensable for skillful management of these water systems are reliable up-to-date
information on the current situation and models to evaluate the impact of control measures. The
European Sentinel-1 Satellite Programme provides a unique opportunity for operational monitoring
the water availability from space at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. The proposed
thesis focuses on local knowledge of soil processes and variability in soil properties, especially the
translation of soil moisture data to value-added products for water management.
Host institute: ITC Enschede/Wageningen University
Country: Netherlands
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Martine van der Ploeg ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 1
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 2
Preventing and remediating degradation of soils in Europe through land care:
RECARE
Project Description The main aim of RECARE is to develop effective prevention, remediation and restoration measures using an innovative trans-disciplinary approach, actively integrating and advancing knowledge of stakeholders and scientists in 17 Case Studies, covering a range of soil threats in different bio-physical and socio-economic environments across Europe.
Methodology Within these Case Study sites located all over Europe, the current state of degradation and conservation will be assessed using a new methodology, based on the WOCAT mapping procedure, • Impacts of degradation and conservation on soil functions and ecosystem services will be
quantified in a harmonized, spatially explicit way, accounting for costs and benefits, and possible trade-offs,
• Prevention, remediation and restoration measures selected and implemented by stakeholders in a participatory process will be evaluated regarding efficacy, and
• The applicability and impact of these measures at the European level will be assessed using a new integrated bio-physical and socio-economic model, accounting for land use dynamics as a result of for instance economic development and policies.
Host institute: depending on country
Country: 15 countries all over Europe
Starting date: to be defined
SLM contact person: Violette Geissen ([email protected])
Assessing the effect of soil conservation
on runoff and erosion
Project description Central European low mountain ranges are intensively used for agriculture. This has led to soil
degradation due to erosion and soil compaction. Nowadays, techniques are applied to re-establish
full soil functions, and to ensure them by soil conservation techniques. On a physical aspect, these
techniques may have a large effect on soil water retention, runoff generation and erodibility of the
agricultural soils. It is the aim of this thesis to compare the process intensities on conventionally
managed soils to those reclaimed and managed under a focus of soil conservation. Additionally,
the spatial variability on field and hillslope scale of physical soil properties depending on the
management practices should be quantified.
Methodology:
Rainfall simulations, soil mapping and physical characterization, analysis of mid-term runoff data
Host institute: University of Trier
Country: Germany
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Saskia Keesstra ([email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 3
Norway: Snowmelt, frozen soils and soil erosion
Project Description The CATCHY project is an internal funded research project by Bioforsk, Ås, Norway, and focuses on the understanding of water pathway processes in small catchments in Norway. It uses a model that evaluates catchment discharge. Main aim of the project is to understand discharge processes to define small, local measures for reducing peak flow and soil loss. Within the project, a PhD study is ongoing where work from the MSc student can be linked. Depending on the interests of the student, and the time of the year, several research topics can be formulated, e.g.: - Soil erosion after spring snowmelt periods - Analyzes of soil and vegetation parameters during the growing season - Effectiveness of local soil conservation measures for erosion control - Modelling soil erosion, with focus on cold climate processes Research activities: Mix of fieldwork, laboratory and data analysis. Fieldwork could consist, depending on the research focus, of sampling and measurement of soil and vegetation characteristics, measurement of runoff and soil loss from small catchments and snow dynamics measurements.
Host institute: Bioforsk Soil and Environment, Norway: Jannes Stolte
Country: Norway
Starting date: anytime / as soon as possible
SLM contact person: Jantiene Baartman (tel: 0317-486131; e-mail: [email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 4
Portugal: Evaluating the impacts of soil conservation measures in recently burnt
areas on soil ecosystem services
Wildfires are well-known to enhance runoff generation and the associated transport of sediments and nutrients, especially during the early stages of soil and vegetation recovery. These enhanced runoff and erosion rates can be mitigated quite effectively by so-called post-fire emergency stabilization measures and, in particular, by the application of organic residues on the soil surface, as was observed in a series of field experiments. However, these studies have been limited to assessing the degree to which runoff and erosion were reduced by the treatment. Therefore, there is a strong need to evaluate the impacts of the treatments more broadly and, in particular, in reference to the full suite of ecosystem services provided by the soils. The main objective of the present MSc thesis topic is to get more insight in how to assess the impacts of soil conservation measures in recently burnt areas on soil ecosystem services, involving developing a framework for assessing the impacts of wildfires and selected post-fire erosion mitigation measures in terms of costs and benefits (monetary or not), and testing framework using data and information from the past field experiments, complemented by additional data collection on costs, benefits and valorization of ecosystem services by selected stakeholders. The work foresees desktop work and regular fieldtrips to one of the ongoing field trials and, if needed, to consult local stakeholders in the RECARE case study site.
Host institute: RECARE project, University of Aveiro (Sandra Valente and Jacob Keizer)
Country: Portugal
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Luuk Fleskens (485467; [email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 5
Sustainable land management, sediment dynamics and carbon fluxes in Spain
Project Description In Spain, several ongoing research projects exist regarding sustainable land management (e.g. organic farming), carbon and nutrient fluxes and sediment dynamics. All research is focues in the semi-arid Mediterranean area of southeast Spain. Research topics can vary and are dependent on the student’s interests. Examples are an analysis and evaluation of the sustainable land use and management scenarios for sediment control and carbon sequestration, using multi-criteria analysis; Evaluation of nutrient mobilization by erosion under different management practices applied to organic rainfed crops; Effects on soil physical propertiesand implications for water conservation efficiency; Quantification of organic carbon pools and calculation of the carbon balance; effects of climate change and ecosystem services. Research activities: Depending on the research focus, activities include field work, sampling, GIS database preparation and spatial analysis, modelling, laboratory analysis, interviews etc. There are always opportunities to participate in ongoing studies and group meetings. More info: www.cesam.ua.pt/teamsite
Host institute: CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia (Carolina Boix-Fayos, Joris de Vente, Maria Martinez-Mena
Country: Spain
Starting date: to be determined
SLM contact person: Jantiene Baartman (tel: 0317-486131; e-mail: [email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 6
Impact of post-fire forest management on hydrology and erosion
Project Description
The largest forest fire ever recorded in Israel, burning from 2 to 6 December 2010, destroyed more than 2,500 ha of natural and planted vegetation on Mount Carmel. Removal and clear-cutting of the burnt Pinus halepensis stands close to roads and recreation sites began soon after the wildfire. Two years after the fire forest managers began to remove the burnt trunks from the dense forest. This management causes changes in both hydrology and sediment dynamics in the area. In order to support long-term, ecologically sustainable post-fire management, the study is aimed to monitor and assess the effect of clear cutting and woody vegetation removal on: (1) Vegetation regeneration dynamics, cover, structure and biomass, (2) soil properties and (3) runoff and erosion rates Methodology
Extensive field- and lab work
Host institute: University of Haifa
Country: Israel
Starting date: any time
SLM contact person: Saskia Keesstra (0317-482877; [email protected])
MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 7