Research
Earth Surface Morphodynamics of Terrestrial and Coastal Systems
The central research theme of the Physical Geography Research Institute is Earth Surface Morphodynamics of Terrestrial and Coastal Systems.
The watershed (or catchment) forms the natural spatial framework for our research. The main topics of research are structured according to the geographical compartments of the watershed, from source to sink:
- Source areas: the upper part of the watershed including the lower order river systems, denudation areas, and source areas of sediments, nutrients, and contaminants;
- Transport zones: surface water and near-surface groundwater;
- Deposition areas: deltas and estuaries;
- Land-ocean interface: the coastal zone including the continental shelf.
Each of these units has its own characteristic processes and landscape forms, but they are interconnected through a continuous exchange of energy and matter. For each geographical unit of the watershed, 4 important topics of study are defined:
- Geomorphologic development spanning from modern to Quaternary time scales;
- Morphodynamic processes and systems;
- Disturbance and feedbacks of processes by natural forcing or human interference;
- Management and conservation policy.
The processes of landscape functioning and development act across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, bridging the gaps between the spatial and temporal scales of processes are critically important in the research at PGRI.
Societal relevance
The research conducted by the PGRI is concerned with a wide range of relevant societal problems. These include the increased vulnerability of our society for climate change and natural hazards such as flooding, storms, mass movements, or earthquakes, and also the adverse effects of human activities on our physical environment.
The research activities of the institute contribute to an increased understanding of these processes and to the development of sustainable methods of using and managing our natural resources.
Research Programmes
PGRI encompasses two research programmes:
- Landscape functioning, Geocomputation, and Hydrology
- Coastal Dynamics, Fluvial Systems, and Global Change