slm thesis research vacancies 2016 soil physics & processes · 1 preventing and remediating...

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 2016 Soil Physics & Processes

MSc thesis supervisors at the SLM group

SLM Staff member Expertise Approach

Dr.ir. Michel Riksen Atlas room C405 Phone: 0317 482833 [email protected]

- Wind erosion - Coastal dune management - Soil and water conservation - Landscape restoration

Dr.ir. Jantiene Baartman Atlas room C409 Phone: 0317 486131 [email protected]

- Soil erosion modelling - Physical land degradation

processes - Soil and water conservation

Dr.ir. Aad Kessler Atlas room C413 Phone: 0317 486055 [email protected]

- Soil and water conservation - Integrated Farm Management - Farmers’ decision-making and

adoption - Intervention strategies

Dr. ir. Luuk Fleskens Atlas room C405 Phone: 0317 485467 [email protected]

- Ecosystem services - Multi-scale impact assessments

SLM - Farmer decision-making - Water harvesting

Prof. Dr. Sjoerd van der Zee Atlas room C407, Phone: 0317 482103 [email protected]

- Water flow solute transport - Pollutant behaviour in soil &

groundwater - Contaminant Bioavailability

Dr. Saskia Keesstra Atlas room C409 Phone: 0317 482877 [email protected]

- Processes in catchment system dynamics

- Water and sediment connectivity

- Fire effects on soil and hydrology

- Methodology development in physical geography

Dr. Jerry Maroulis Atlas room C.413 Phone: 0317 482881 [email protected]

- Erosion processes - Fluvial geomorphology - Soil conservation - Land degradation - Online education

mailto:[email protected]







MSc thesis supervisors at the SLM group

Ing. George Bier Atlas room B.417 Phone: 0317 482830 [email protected]

- Hydrology - Ground water - Modeling

Dr.ir. Jos van Dam Atlas room C.411 Phone: 0317 484825 [email protected]

- Hydrology - Soil Physics - Water Management

Dr.ir. Violette Geissen Atlas room C.403 Phone: 0317 484825 [email protected]

- Environmental Management

- Land Degradation - Soil Biology - Soil Chemistry - Soil Fertility - Soil Management - Soil Physics - Soil Sciences

Dr.ir. Martine v.d. Ploeg Atlas room C.411 Phone: 0317 483714 [email protected]

- Hydrology - Soil Physics - Water Management

dr.ir. Klaas Metselaar Atlas room B.417 Phone: 0317 485322 [email protected]

- Eco-hydrology - Soil Physics - Water Management

Prof.dr. Coen Ritsema Atlas room C.403 Phone: 0317 486517 [email protected]

- Land Degradation - Soil Management - Soil Physics







Overview of master thesis topics

# Water Supervisor 1 Quantification of soil moisture variability in the Raam Catchment Martine van der Ploeg 2 Soil water dynamics in Dutch floodplains Martine van der Ploeg 3 Crop production in relation to water and salt stress Jos van Dam 4 Re-use of industrial waste water for irrigation Ruud Bartholomeus 5 Re-use of domestic waste water for irrigation Ruud Bartholomeus 6 Tick populations as affected by hydro-meteorology Klaas Metselaar 7 Using weather forecasts to predict root water storage Jos van Dam 8 Hydraulic properties according to PDI model Jos van Dam 9 Do gas bubbles affect soil hydraulic conductivity? Klaas Metselaar 10 Can water quality modify water quantity? Klaas Metselaar 11 Comparison WALRUS and SWAP Jos van Dam # Solute 1 Re-use of domestic waste water for sub-irrigation Sjoerd van der Zee 2 Transport and biodegradation of soil pollutants Sjoerd van der Zee 3 Salinity of soil and groundwater: Netherlands, Australia, Israel,

world Sjoerd van der Zee

4 Transport of solutes in soil and groundwater: agrochemicals, viruses, organics, metals

Sjoerd van der Zee

5 Salt intrusion in the Donana, Spain Klaas Metselaar 6 Waste water irrigation and soil quality Sjoerd van der Zee 7 Effects of micro-plastics and pesticides on earthworms Violette Geissen # Groundwater 1 Water management of Fochteloërveen George Bier 2 Surface water routing in MODFLOW George Bier 3 Assessment of groundwater recharge in Cooper Creek, Australia Martine van der Ploeg # Vegetation 1 Mangroves in Aruba: current status and climate change Klaas Metselaar 2 Dune dynamics on the Sand Motor Corjan Nolet 3 Mine site revegetation assessment in outback Australia Jerry Maroulis # Regional analysis 1 Preventing and remediating degradation of soils in Europe through

land care: RECARE Violette Geissen

2 Hydrological analysis for the Lagoen catchment, Bonaire Klaas Metselaar 3 Environmental analysis of Parkietenbos, Aruba Klaas Metselaar 4 Norway: Snowmelt, frozen soils and soil erosion Jantiene Baartman 5 Assessing the effect of soil conservation on runoff and erosion Saskia Keesstra 6 Impact of all-terrain vehicles on runoff, erosion and vegetation Klaas Metselaar

Quatification of soil moisture field variability

in the Raam catchment

Project Description

The European Sentinel-1 Satellite Programme provides a unique opportunity for operational

monitoring of the water availability from space at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions.

Data from satellites need to be verified at the local field scale. The Waterboard Aa and Maas,

together with Wageningen University and Twente University are looking for a student that can

manage the soil moisture network currently being set-up in the Raam catchment area. The

proposed thesis/internship may focus on 1) local knowledge of soil processes and variability in soil

properties, especially the translation of soil moisture data to value-added products for water

management or 2) comparison of field derived soil moisture variability and Sentinal-1 satellite

data.

Host institute: ITC Enschede/Wageningen University

Country: Netherlands

Starting date: as soon as possible

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

MSc thesis research Water – topic 1

Getting too wet or not? Soil water dynamics

in Dutch floodplains

Project Description

Without management, floodplain vegetation of regulated rivers develops into floodplain forests.

These floodplain forests are associated with high hydraulic roughness and little water storage

capacity and hence can jeopardize water safety during high water discharges. In the Netherlands,

measures are taken to limit the development of floodplain forests by for instance clearing

floodplains of trees, excavating parts of the floodplain, and introducing herds of grazers. However,

measures must be taken cautiously, as many of the Dutch floodplains are nature areas. The

difficulty is that the effects those measures have on water safety and nature values as well as

their efficiency are not well understood.

So, unravelling processes that steer vegetation development helps to manage floodplains

effectively. One of the many processes that are steering floodplain vegetation development is

water availability. Many plant species cannot withstand too much water, but the same is true for

water shortage. Therefore, the goal of this M.Sc. project is to map soil moisture and ground water

level dynamics and measure the micro relief in a transect in a floodplain. The findings of the M.Sc.

student will be coupled to vegetation mappings and plant trait measurements performed along the

same transect to see if water availability can explain observed variation in vegetation and plant

traits.

Host institute: Deltares/Wageningen University


Starting date: preferably during growing season

SLM contact person: [email protected]/[email protected]


Effect of hydrology on crop production as a

result of drought, too wet or saline conditions

Project Description

For quantifying the effects of hydrological changes on agricultural production the models SWAP

(hydrology) and WOFOST (crop growth) are used. This allows a distinction between the effects of

drought, of too wet conditions (oxygen stress) or too much salt in the rootzone. Although this

method is tested and available for use, there are still many questions that could be addressed for

a thesis. An interesting topic could be the effect of soil temperature on root development and start

of the growing season; another topic could be how to deal with different stresses during the

growing season. How exactly does a cold and wet spring affect harvestable yield when the

summer months are highly productive? A third thesis topic could involve model testing on datasets

from all over the world as part of an international project. Can the SWAP-WOFOST model also

simulate crop growth of soy bean? And can we incorporate nutrient management?

Host institute: Alterra/Wageningen University


Starting date: any time

SLM contact person: Jos van Dam ([email protected])


es

Matching freshwater supply and demand: using

industrial wastewater for sub-irrigation purposes

Project Description

Available groundwater sources for irrigation purposes are increasingly under pressure. At the

same time, treated wastewater from industries and domestic wastewater treatment plants are

quickly discharged via surface waters towards sea. Exploitation of these freshwater sources may

be an effective strategy to balance regional water supply and agricultural water demand.

In a pilot study in the south of The Netherlands, excess wastewater of the Bavaria Beer Brewery is

delivered to the plant root zone through sub-irrigation by drainage systems. The proposed thesis

focuses on both field monitoring and process-based hydrological modeling to i) investigate the

amount of water that needs to be and that can be sub-irrigated, ii) quantify the effect on soil

moisture availability and herewith reduced needs for aboveground irrigation, and iii) quantify

regional effects of water reuse.

Host institute: KWR Watercycle Research Institute (www.kwrwater.nl)


Starting date: May/June 2016 (negotiable)



es

Matching freshwater supply and demand: using

domestic wastewater for sub-irrigation purposes

Project Description

Available groundwater sources for irrigation purposes are increasingly under pressure. At the

same time, treated wastewater from industries and domestic wastewater treatment plants are

quickly discharged via surface waters towards sea. Exploitation of these freshwater sources may

be an effective strategy to balance regional water supply and agricultural water demand.

A pilot project has been setup in the eastern part of the Netherlands, in which treated domestic

wastewater is applied to a corn field by sub-irrigation. Focus of this study is on quantifying

potential contamination of both the root zone and the deeper groundwater with substances like

pharmaceutical residues, based on literature research, field measurements and modeling.

Host institute: KWR Watercycle Research Institute (www.kwrwater.nl)


Starting date: May/June 2016 (negotiable)



Netherlands: The micro-

hydrometeorology of tick living conditions

Project Description The water and energy balance of the top soil, and of the mulch layer are very important to understand the dynamics of insect populations of species which are at some time of their life active in this zone. As an interesting case study we would like to focus on ticks. Tick activity is linked to soil temperature and relative humidity. Methodology The topic is open for discussion, but could consist of setting up and execute an experiment and/or executing a model study in close discussion with the supervisors, allowing to answer your research questions based on the above. Use and modify existing models to analyse your experiment. Specific: Cooperation with REG (Sip van Wieren)

Host institute: Wageningen university

Country: Nederland

Starting date: growing season.

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar (t: 0317 485322 [email protected])


Predicting root water content based on

weather forecast ensembles

Project Description

Each day weather forecast ensembles for a 15-day period become available. These can be used as

input for a soil simulation model to determine the bandwidth of predicted soil water content in the

root zone. Such information can be of use for the farmer (when to perform tillage, when to

irrigate) or for the water board (expected droughts and floods). Technically this is possible, and

for a single test case some results have been obtained. We are looking for some more test runs

(different soil types, different crops) to see what information (water content in root zone,

drainage, crop yield, crop growth reduction factors, etc.) is the best to consider for potential users

of such a tool.

Host institute: Wageningen University and Research

Country: Tthe Netherlands

Starting date: Any time

SLM contact person: Jos van Dam ([email protected]); Alterra: Marius Heinen ([email protected])




Description of hydraulic properties according

to the PDI model

Project Description

In soil physics and soil hydrology water movement in soils (or other porous media) is determined

by the soil’s capacity to store water (water retention) and the soil’s hydraulic conductivity. These

two properties are in most cases described by the classical Mualem – van Genuchten equations.

These properties can be determined in the laboratory, e.g. by the Wind evaporation method.

Detailed analyses of these results have shown that the classical Mualem – van Genuchten

equations not always give a good description. Recent extensions of these models have shown

better results: the so-called Peters-Durner-Iden (PDI) extension. In this thesis research you will

study the new theory, re-analyze Wind evaporation data, and come up with a suggestion how to

implement the PDI model in practice (e.g. usage/implementation in SWAP, usage/implementation

for the Dutch soil database).

Host institute: Wageningen University and Research

Country: The Netherlands

Starting date: Any time

SLM contact person: Jos van Dam ([email protected]); Alterra: Marius Heinen ([email protected])




Do gass bubbles affect the hydraulic

conductivity of soils?

Project Description The hydraulic conductivity of a soil is often assumed to be constant through time. Gas bubble formation may block soil pores and thereby result in considerable temporal variability of hydraulic conductivity. However, current methods to estimate hydraulic conductivity are unsuitable to test effects of bubble formation. Though operating at the pore scale, bubble formation likely has major consequences for water management and model calculations on water budgets. Methodology

1) Develop a novel apparatus to measure hydraulic conductivity without disturbing soil bubble content

2) Explore the relation between bubble content and hydraulic conductivity in laboratory and field experiments

Host institute: Wageningen university, B-Ware (Nijmegen), Radboud University (Nijmegen)



SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar ( [email protected] T: 0317 485322)



Can water quality modify water quantity?

Project Description Water quality affects microbial gas production, which in turn may result in blocking of pores in soils and a reduction of hydraulic conductivity. Changes in water quality may therefore ask for large modifications in water management. However, as the relation between water quality – hydraulic conductivity is unknown, it is impossible to adapt water management on changing water quality.

Methodology 1) Develop a new method to regulate the bubble content in soils 2) Explore the relation between water quality, bubble content, and hydraulic

conductivity in controlled conditions (lab) and in the field.

Specific: • Use of the soil physics laboratories • Close cooperation with Radboud University (Nijmegen) for biogeochemical expertise

Host institute: Wageningen University, B-Ware (Nijmegen), Radboud University (Nijmegen)



SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar ( [email protected] T: 0317 485322)



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)


Reuse of treated domestic wastewater by sub-irrigation of agricultural land:

modelling water and solute transport using SWAP (1D) and Hydrus (2D)

Gé van den Eertwegh1, Ruud Bartholomeus2, and Gijsbert Cirkel2

1 KnowH2O, 2 KWR Watercycle Research Institute

Project Description In the Netherlands, the availability of fresh water for agricultural crop production can be under pressure during dry summer periods. Groundwater is used for irrigation purposes, as well as water from rivers Rhine and Meuse. Domestic wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands produce annually a volume of water equal to a 50 mm layer of fresh water. This water can potentially be used as a source of fresh water in those regions which suffer from drought periods. A pilot project has been setup recently in the eastern part of the Netherlands, in which treated wastewater is applied to a corn field by sub-irrigation during the growing season of 2015, using a climate adaptive drainage system (CAD). We have been using the CAD system before as a drainage means, we now expand its functionalities towards sub-irrigation. The subsurface drains of the system are interconnected and we installed an inlet pit upstream of the collector drain, for the treated wastewater to enter the drainage system. The chemical composition of treated domestic wastewater is different from rainfall excess water and agricultural drainage water. In the pilot project, we are looking at specific chemicals in the wastewater which we will use as a tracer in describing water and solute transport in the soil system. At our 5.5 ha CAD test site, we have installed a field monitoring network at three locations on the vadose zone and the upper 2 m of the local groundwater system. This enables us to measure vertical solute profiles in the soil water by taking samples, just next to the subsurface drains (two locations) and midway between two subsurface drains (one location). We will analyze the flow and transport of the sub-irrigated wastewater and conclude on the spreading of the water and (reactive) chemicals involved. We have models up and running, using SWAP (1D) and Hydrus (2D) to simulate water and solute transport.

Host institute: KnowH2O (Gé van den Eertwegh, PhD, [email protected])


Starting date: 2016

SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee ([email protected])

MSc thesis research Solutes – Topic 1


Modelling the transport and biodegradation of

mobile liquid pollutants in the subsoil

Project Description

The pollution of soil and groundwater with pure liquid phases (e.g. oil or gasoline) poses problems

for ecosystem quality and human health. Multidisciplinary approaches are used to tackle the

problem of polluted sites, but many sites cannot be treated adequately yet. The understanding of

the behaviour of such pollutants requires the input from different fields, such as geochemistry,

microbiology, soil science and hydrology. The Departments of Soil Physics, Microbiology and

Environmental Technology at Wageningen University are therefore joining their forces to better

understand the in situ behaviour of these pollutants, with the objective to come up with solutions

for the management and remediation of polluted areas. We simulate either multiphase flow of the

liquid, water and air in subsoil, or transport and biodegradation of these pollutants. Cooperation

with the NUPUS network (www.nupus.uni-stuttgart.de/) and institutes in NL or abroad is

foreseen.

Host institute: SLM/Wageningen University



SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee ([email protected])

MSc thesis research Solutes – topic 2

Oil spill in Sudan in 2011; Similar spills are found world wide and are investigated for risks and remediation.

http://www.nupus.uni-stuttgart.de/

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


SLM contact person: Sjoerd van der Zee (0317-482103) ([email protected])

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


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])

Salt intrusion in the Doñana, Spain, and its effects on ecology

Project Description

The Doñana nature reserve is one of the most important stopovers for migratory birds on their

way into Europe. Management has been setting up a monitoring program and studying the

hydrology. Recently dikes have been breached to allow a more natural tidal influence.

Management is interested in the effects of this intervention on the hydrology and ecology.

Methodology:

Quantitative analyses and modelling focusing on the hydrology and salinity of a wetland after

management intervention. The model to be used or constructed is SEAWAT, SWI or DIY.

Research objective/question:

A transect with hydrological observations can be retrieved from literature. You also have to gather your own data (salinity and groundwater levels), model the transect to analyse and understand system behavior. If this has your interest, link your model outcomes to vegetation development.


Host institute: CSIC Doñana – Ricardo Diaz-Delgado; University of Sevilla, Jose-Carlos Munoz-

Reinoso.

Starting date: September 2016 or later.

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar of Sjoerd van der Zee

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 long term 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]).


In terrestrial ecosystems, what is the effect of microplastics and pesticides on earthworms?

There is a strong use of pesticides around the world, and there is an extensive pollution of microplastics. We are looking for a master student working on the following topics:

1) Distribution of microplastics in Dutch soils (field work) 2) Laboratory experiment to test the effects of pesticides in combination with

microplastics on earthworms 3) Field work 1 month. Laboratory work in SLM department, 2 months.

Host institute: WUR

Contact person: Violette Geissen([email protected])


Starting date: as soon as possible



mailto:[email protected])

Effects of surface level decline on water

management nature reserve Fochtelooerveen.

Project Description

Nature reserve the Fochtelooerveen, at the border of provinces Friesland and Drenthe is suffering

from peat oxidization. Consequently surface levels decline, requiring an even lower drainage level

in the surrounding agricultural areas. Starting from the 1950ties surface levels declined up to

120 cm. The continuous cycle of lowering drainage levels, peat oxidization and surface level

decline could endanger the existence of this nature reserve.

The objective of this thesis research is to conduct a model research indicating the effects of this

peat oxidization on water management aspects of the Fochtelooerveen.

Location: Wageningen University



SLM contact person: George Bier ([email protected])

MSc thesis research Groundwater– topic 1

Surface Water Routing in MODFLOW

Project Description

In low land, deltaic areas groundwater levels are shallow w.r.t. the surface. Therefore, interactions

between groundwater and open water are evident. However, groundwater flow has clearly

different characteristic spatial and temporal scales compared to open water flow, making it not

trivial to combine and calculate within numerical models.

Objective is to develop a hydrological model containing such complex open water routing features

and investigate the pros and cons compared to for example the Stream Flow Routing package.

TNO-Deltares is interested in your findings and could be a partner for data availability.

Location: Wageningen University



SLM contact person: George Bier ([email protected])

MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 2

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 ([email protected])

MSc thesis research Groundwater – topic 3

Mangroves in Aruba: current status and

climate change

Project Description

Shown in the above picture is a small stretch of mangrove near Spaans Lagoen, Aruba. Mangroves as a coastal forest are under pressure, but offer important ecosystem services (birds and reef fish). Spaans Lagoen covers 70 ha, and is a Ramsar site. It is not currently included in management of the Aruba Arikok park. Methodology: Quantitative analyses and modelling focusing on hydrology and salinity. Assessment of current status, threats and opportunities, water balance terms and growth rates of the mangrove. Research objective/question: Research questions will be formulated jointly with stakeholders in Aruba. Remarks This is a very open research topic in a challenging environment. A lot depends on your initiative and ideas.

Host institute: To be determined in discussion with Emil ter Horst and Tatiana Becker

Country:Aruba

Starting date: open.

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected], Coen Ritsema

MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 1


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


Starting date: September 2015

SLM contact person: [email protected] (0317-483483)

MSc thesis research Vegetation – topic 2

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 3

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])

Hydrological analysis for Lagoen, Bonaire

Project Description

Shown in the above picture is the discharge location of the Lagoen catchment in Bonaire. Recently groundwater monitoring has started, but an analysis of the surface flows in the catchment is also required. A research proposal jointly with, and in support of, local government has to be formulated and executed, and will focus on catchment analysis in terms of catchment hydrology and sediment runoff. The catchment contains the island waste dump, which makes understanding flow patterns important. Methodology:

Quantitative analyses and modelling; runoff sampling.


What are current water and sediment flows in the catchment, is the waste dump affected and to what extent, and what are management options for the waste dump? Research questions will be formulated jointly with DRO and Stinapa.

Host institute: Stinapa (Bonaire) in cooperation with DRO (Bonaire)

Country:Bonaire

Starting date: open, but preferably in the rainy period (last half 2016, beginning 2017).

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]



Environmental analysis for Parkietenbos,

Aruba

Project Description

Shown in the above picture is the air pollution around Parkietenbos, Aruba. Parkietenbos is an 80 year old dumpsite close the airport, and close to a housing complex. The related problem of water pollution is expected to be serious as the dumpsite is located on the coast. Methodology:

Quantitative analyses and modelling focusing on hydrology or meteorology.


Research questions will be formulated jointly with stakeholders in Aruba. Supervision depends on the focus. Remarks This is a very open research topic in a challenging environment. A lot depends on your initiative and ideas.


Country:Aruba





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: after 1 October 2016

SLM contact person: Jantiene Baartman (tel: 0317-486131; e-mail: [email protected])


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


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])



Off-road vehicles in Aruba: current status

and impact

Project Description

Shown in the above picture is an ATV excursion on Aruba. The focus of this topic is on the effects of all terrain vehicles on runoff, sediment transport and vegetation. In a semi-arid environment vegetation is slow in growing and slow in recovering. Informal paths and roads can become starting points for erosion, leading to further degradation of the area, and potentially leading to sediment inputs into the marine environment. Methodology: The basis will be an inventory of usage intensity and correlation with site responses and site factors. An extensive literature review of current management and regulations regarding ATV vehicles and their effects at other locations in similar climates is required. A proposal for management guidelines is one of the objectives of the research. Research objective/question: Research questions will be formulated jointly with stakeholders in Aruba. Supervision depends on your main interest.


Country:Aruba





slm thesis research vacancies 2016 soil physics & processes · 1 preventing and remediating...

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