At this moment all coastal and delta systems around the world are facing major changes due to global change and increasing anthropogenic influences. This raises questions like if our salt marshes and tidal flats will be able to keep up with sea level rise, or will they drown and disappear? And how will these intertidal systems change if wave climates become stronger? And will changes in species compositions e.g. due to warming alter the functioning and robustness of these systems? Gaining insight in all these questions is key to understanding the future of our delta’s and coasts.

Answering these questions requires us to study the bio-physical interactionsbetween the forces originating from tidal currents and waves, and organisms that alter these forces and thereby alter their environment by modifying sediment transport. Species that cause this kind of environmental change are often referred to as ecosystem engineers, and may consist of vegetation (e.g., salt marshes, mangroves, seagrass, fresh-water plants), reef forming animals (e.g., oysters, mussels and corals) and bioturbating animals (i.e., animals living in the sediment of the sea floor). Biophysical interactions by ecosystem engineers can have major consequences for the functioning and development of the estuarine and marine systems. For example, these organisms may cause the formation of biogeomorphic landscapeslike dunes and salt marshes. 

In my research, I try to obtaining a better understanding of fundamental mechanismsto contribute to answering practical problems. Hence, I try to gain in depth insight in topics like:

-      ecosystem engineering as a strategy (fundamental ecology; why is not every species an engineer?)

-      the thresholds ecosystem engineers encounter in establishing (restoration ecology; which knowledge is key to enhancing restoration success?)

-      the influence ecosystem engineers have on landscape formation (biogeomorphology; how do species differences translate into landscape differences and thereby landscape dynamics?) 

-      the influence ecosystem engineers have on ecosystem functioning by altering resource fluxes, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience (management implications; why are these systems so productive, diverse and resilient?)

-      the opportunities ecosystem engineering species offer for humanity to benefit from (ecosystem services; how can we use these species e.g. in Nature Based Flood Defense?). 

My research approach is predominantly experimental, combining manipulative field studies with flume experiments (lab & field) and organism-scale experiments (lab. & field). These experiments are combined with complementary techniques like time-series analyses of aerial photography and modelling, in collaboration with Remote Sensing experts and modellers.

Within my research, I typically have student topics availableon the following sub-questions

-      Developing knowledge to preserve and restore coastal ecosystems 

-      Providing a mechanistic understanding on how to maximize combined nature and coastal protection goals 

-      Biogeomorphic landscape formation by ecosystem engineers: generalizing across species 

-      Identifying the relation between the traits of intertidal-organism and the ecosystem services they provide 

-      Hydrodynamic ecology: unraveling hydrodynamic effects on behavior, resources and thereby communities

-      Understanding the role of ecosystem engineers in how coastal landscapes responds to climate change

For details please see the link below:

https://www.nioz.nl/en/education/internships