SLM thesis research vacancies 2015 Soil Physics ... - WUR

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

mailto:[email protected]

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



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.



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])



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)


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


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:


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]).


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.


Are land-sea flows a possible explanation for the occurrence of cyanobacteria fields on Bonaire?

Host institute: Imares – Erik Meesters (responsible)


Starting date: open




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.


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




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


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])


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


SLM contact person: George Bier (0317-482830; [email protected])


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

http://www.cesam.ua.pt/teamsite


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])


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


SLM contact person: Martine van der Ploeg ([email protected])


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





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)


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




MSc thesis research Regional analysis – topic 1


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


SLM contact person: Saskia Keesstra ([email protected])



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





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


SLM contact person: Luuk Fleskens (485467; [email protected])


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





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


SLM contact person: Saskia Keesstra (0317-482877; [email protected])


Documents

SLM thesis research vacancies 2015 Soil Physics ... - WUR