prof.dr. K.M. Wijnberg (Kathelijne)

Research interests
Coastal morphodynamics, nature-based engineering, coastal observation and video remote sensing, the natural coastal system and its response to human intervention, anthropogenic shores.

Current research

ReAShore: Resilient Anthropogenic Shores (2019-2024). Large scale sandy shore reinforcements like the Sand Motor and the Hondsbossche Dunes, combine flood safety and spatial quality. This project investigates how these functions can both flourish on the long term. To that end, the mutual influence is investigated of use and management of these man-created shores on the one hand, and natural processes like sand transport, vegetation dynamics and dune development on the other hand. Results are input for the

development of a design tool to co-create with stakeholders scenarios for use and management that optimally serve long term objectives of coastal safety and spatial quality

ShoreScape: sustainable co-evolution of the natural and built environment along sandy shores. (2017-2023): The land-sea interface is a very attractive location for humans to settle. In the case of low lying, sedimentary coastlines this can be a risky location, as these shorelines are inherently dynamic in nature. Accelerating rates of relative sea level rise will increase coastal erosion, creating world-wide growing demands for coastal protection along urbanized shores. Central notion to this project is that the key to sustainably adapt to this situation is to be found in smart, pro-active sediment management using ‘building-with-nature’  approaches, rather than in traditional reactive approaches involving expansion of static, hard coastal defense structures. The ShoreScape project therefore aims to develop knowledge, tools and design principles for dynamic occupation of the land-sea interface, to enhance ‘building-with-nature’ processes and exploit its potential for the spatial development of multi-functional coastal environments – shorescape.

SEAWAD: Sediment supply at the Wadden Sea ebb-tidal Delta. From system knowledge to mega-nourishments (2016-2020): The Netherlands has chosen to protect its coast by means of soft adaptive solutions such as (mega) nourishments. As the Wadden Sea tidal basin is a net sediment importing system, several of its barrier island open coasts have to be nourished on a regular basis. This is exacerbated by the accelerated sea-level rise and subsidence and subsequently larger nourishment volumes are foreseen in the near future. One of the options considered is the possibility to put nourishments in the ebb-delta area, to more directly feed the tidal basins with sediment. However, the morphological and ecological impacts of such a large-scale intervention in a complex system as the ebb-tidal delta of the Wadden Sea are insufficiently known. This is all the more critical, as the anticipated mega-nourishments will be in the vicinity of the protected World Heritage area. Within SEAWAD, we develop the system knowledge and tools to predict the effects of mega-nourishments on morphology and ecology (benthos distribution). I am involved in the subproject Eco-dynamic design of nourishments as a co-supervisor of the PhD-research of Harriëtte Holzhauer in this topic. Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

The Argus Program (ongoing): Video remote sensing of the beach and nearshore zone. The Argus program (http://cil-www.oce.orst.edu/), initiated at Oregon State University, aims at developing optical measurement approaches to exploit visible signatures of nearshore phenomena (hydrodynamics, morphology) with high resolution in space and time, using computer controlled video cameras. Video-stations are located at over 40 beaches around the globe. Data obtained are used to increase insight in the nearshore morphodynamic system. The Argus program is supported by an international research network of individuals and institutes who derive their funding from variable sources. Most recent project: Argus video imagery in support of aeolian transport studies (Nov 2011-May 2012). Exploratory study on mapping aeolian morphodynamics across an artificially created dune feature from Argus video imagery at Vlugtenburg beach (The Netherlands). Funded by ‘Ecoshape/Building with Nature’.

 

Past research projects (while at University of Twente)

CoCoChannel:Co-designing Coasts using Natural Channel-shoal dynamics. (2014-2019): The CoCoChannel project aims at developing the knowledge and tools needed for innovative solutions to erosion problems along shorelines near tidal inlets; more specifically, Building-with-Nature type interventions such as triggering or stimulating shoal attachment through dredging or dumping of sediment at smart locations on the ebb-delta. Implementing such an innovative concept requires early interaction with stakeholders and coastal communities, not only to obtain their support but also to collaboratively improve the design of the intervention. Thus, the eventual design of these innovative interventions can be regarded as the product of a network of scientists, engineers and other stakeholders, and their social dynamics.

Aeolian and hydrodynamic sand exchange across the beach. (2013-2017): This project aims at understanding and modelling the sand exchange between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system at a time scale of years to decades, on natural beaches. The exchange of sand between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system occurs through both hydrodynamic and aeolian processes. Supply of sand from land to sea occurs mostly during storm surge erosion. Regarding the supply of sand from the sea to the land (accretion process), the intertidal beach is a crucial zone, because this is the area where sediments that are deposited by marine processes can be picked by wind to become part of the beach-dune system of the coast. The state of the intertidal beach is strongly tied to the nearshore morphodynamics, for instance through the development of ridge and runnel topography or rhythmic bars and beach topography. Knowledge development will focus on the accretionary component of the sand exchange. Argus video imagery of the intertidal beach collected at Egmond beach since 1998, are an important source of information for the analyses. Funded by: Conicyt (Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica). PhD involved: Leonardo Duarte Campos.

NatureCoast: Nature-driven nourishment of coastal systems. (2012-2017): In 2011 a huge shore nourishment (21 Mm3) has been applied at the Delfland coast (NL) in the shape of a peninsula (crtl-click here for some nice pictures). This unprecedented experiment aims to protect the hinterland from flooding by letting natural processes distribute sand over shoreface, beach and dunes, thus constituting a climate-robust and environmentally friendly way of coastal protection. The key objective of the NatureCoast program is to raise our understanding and predictive capability regarding the various aspects of this type of shore nourishments, up to a level enabling to assess their effectiveness and to export the underlying technology worldwide. The overall scientific challenge lies in understanding and predictive modelling of the complex interplay of eco-morphological, hydrological and societal processes that govern the evolution, effects, feasibility and acceptability of mega-nourishment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzo1KDlqEU&feature=youtu.be). Hence this research program involves 12 research groups from different disciplines (program leader: Prof.dr.ir. M.J.F. Stive, TUD). I lead the Dune Formation subproject. This subproject aims at obtaining predictive understanding of both the impact of mega-nourishments on the spatio-temporal variability in aeolian sediment supply towards upper beach and dunes (PhD 1, at Univ. of Twente) and the key processes and conditions for making the transition from a bare beach to a vegetated dune, including associated landforms such as green beaches (PhD 2, at Wageningen UR). Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

Congruent scales in economics, coastal engineering and morphology (2005-2011). ALW/LOICZ-funded project to explore whether congruent scales in economics, coastal engineering and morphology exist, and if so, how phenomena occurring at congruent scales might interact. PhD-student involved in the ‘coastal engineering and morphology’ topic: Lisette Bochev-van der Burgh. PhD-thesis successfully defended September 2012. Thesis title: Decadal-scale morphologic variability of foredunes subject to human interventions.

GIS-technology and the analysis and forecasting of change in the marine environment(2006-2010): research project within the framework of the BSIK-funded project We@Sea. PhD-student involved: Blanca Perez-Lapeña. PhD-thesis successfully defended April 2011. Thesis title: Detecting Seabird Displacement. A simulation based geostatistical approach.

Morphological development of the Banda Aceh Coast after the tsunami of December 26, 2004 (2004-2009). PhD-student involved: Ella Meilianda. (Note: I got involved in the project from October 2007 onwards). PhD-thesis successfully defended June 2009. Thesis title: Past, present and future morphological development of a tsunami affected coast. A case study of Banda Aceh.

Publications

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Teaching

Current courses

• Data analysis in Water Engineering and Management (MSc level course)
• Building with Nature (MSc level course)
• Experimental Fluid Mechanics (BSc level, year 1)

 

Past courses

• Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Re-design of the Utrecht City Central Station area’, which includes the reopening of historic waterways. This project requires students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, 2013 + 2014).
• Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Olympic Games in Waterland the Netherlands’. This project requires students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, since 2011+2012).
• Design project ‘B3’ on the theme ‘Living with the water’. This project required students to use and integrate their knowledge on ‘civil- and water engineering’ and ‘traffic and transportation sciences’ in a 4-6 person project team. Responsible for theme ‘water’. (BSc, University of Twente, 2006-2010)
• Water (introductory course on water engineering) (BSc, University of Twente) (2004)
• Seminar morphology (responsible for topic ‘nearshore sand bars’) (2004)
• Mathematics for physical geographers (BSc, Utrecht University) (1998-1999 (lecturer); 1991-1994 (assistant lecturer))
• Field class physical geography (BSc, Utrecht University) (mapping skills and hydrological experiments in the field) (1993)

 

Student supervision

MSc thesis projects

• .
• Flow-vegetation interactions at the vegetated river banks of the River Dinkel - Bram Denkers (ongoing)
• Beach pavilion on adjustable pole height: A numerical study of flow and sediment transport towards coastal dunes - Nino Zuiderwijk (at Witteveen & Bos, ongoing)
• Reliability analysis of piping assessment: assessing the influence of spatial variation of subsoil parameters - Lutsen Bonekamp (at BZ Innovatie Management, 2022)
• Seasonal variation in salt marsh vegetation. Impact of physical stressors on the development, decay and seed retention of Salicornia Europaea - Bert Eekman (2021)
• Predicting flooding due to extreme precipitation in an urban environment using machine learning algorithms - Raphael Kilsdonk (at Hydrologic, 2021)
• Mangrove dynamics in the Richmond River's estuary - Steven Hoogeveen (2020)
• Feasibility assessment of a grass cover dike in a coastal wetland setting. Towards a green design tool - Marc Horstman (at RHDHV, 2020)
• Pressure propagation through the bed in the swash zone of a sandy beach. A data and modelling study with possible implications for sediment transport - Tim Pauli (2020)
• Observing ocean currents on the scottish continental shelf using wave gliders.- Siska de Vreeze (at Marine Scotland Science, 2020)
• Quantifying physical stressors controlling mangrove seedling dynamics - Marijn Gelderland (2020)
• Quantification of uncertainties in slope stability assessment and strategies to reduce the uncertainty - Luuk Vonk (at BZ Innovatie mangement, 2020)
• The impact of aeolian sedeiment transport on vegetation development in engineered coastal dunes and dune valleys - Job Oude vrielink (at Delatres, 2020)
• Impact of ship waves on sediment transport at two tidal flats in the Western Scheldt - Marco Aldershof (at Deltares, 2020)
• Pocess-based support for supply limitations on the aeolian erosion prohability from AeoLIS to DUBEVEG - Andrea Flores Ramirez (at Deltares, 2020)
• Numerical modelling of the  biophysical feedbacks of Salicornia at the constructed Marconi salt marsh  - Jesse van de broek (2020)
• Predictive analytical model for chloride concentrations in the Port of Rotterdam – Ralf Linneman (Hydrologic, 2019)
• Long-term effects of intensified desalination and climate change on nearshore salinity in the Arabian Gulf  – Felix Dols  (at Deltares, 2019).
• The applicability of the cellular automata model DUBEVEG on an anthropogenic shore - Jan Willem van Dokkum (2019)
• Construction variants for the Sandbar breakwater in a dynamic coastal area. - William Wilbrink (at CDInternational , 2019)
• Quantification and reduction of uncertainties in the piping assessment: a comparison of uncertainty reducing strategies. -  Sean Roelofs (at BZ Innovatie Management, 2018)
• Hydrodynamics and sand transport on the lower shoreface of the Ameland tidal inlet. Max Leummens (at Deltares, 2018)
• Analysing pre- and post-nourishment morphologic behaviour along the Dutch-Danish North Sea coast. -  David Barmentloo (at Rijkswaterstaat, 2018).
• Flood safety: What is an acceptable level of uncertainty in the safety assessment of piping ? - Jasper Bink (at BZ Innovatie Management, 2017).
• Non-hydrostatic pressure around scour holes in sharp bends  - Rik Posthumus (2017).
• What do stakeholders have to say about sand nourishments? The use of uncertainties to cope with gaps in water governance in the context of Dutch adaptation to climate change.- Rafael Imada (2017).
• The effects of storm surges on dune-systems near inlets - Stan van den Broek (2017).
• Understanding the effect of groynes on the hydrodynamics of the tidal flats in estuaries. A case study at Baalhoek and Knuitershoek in the Western Scheldt – Tim van den Broek (at Deltares, 2017 ).
• A statistical approach towards the response of dune systems to tidal inlet processes – Bert Dekker (2017).
• Can state-of-the-art numerical modeling be used to design more efficient and economic power plants? – Annet Both (at Deltares, 2016)
• Numerical modelling of morphological development in a managed realignment project. A case study of the Eastern Perkpolder project, The Netherlands – Xinyue Zhao (at Deltares, 2016)
• Real-time flood extent estimates from Twitter messages: mapping uncertainties – Tom Brouwer (at Deltares, 2016)
• Effects of beach holiday houses on the wind and related sand transport – Elise Leusink (2016)
• Mental models of dune dynamics and perspectives for regulating construction of beach huts – Ethan Tromp (2016).
• Influence of data and information in the assessment of the piping failure mechanism – Julius van Stokkum (at BZ Innovatiemanagement, 2016)
• Operational early warning system in MorphAn – Jelmer Veenstra (at Deltares, 2016)
• Modelling sediment transport pathways in the mouth of the Scheldt estuary – Stefan de Vries (at Deltares, 2016).
• Arctic precipitation changes and their effect on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Cycle (AMOC) – Niek Sleen (at KNMI, 2015).
• Including the effect of buildings in the probabilistic modelling of dune safety – Thijs Raaben (at Deltares, 2015).
• Aeolian transport on beaches, on the role of transport limiting factors – Elisa Reim (2013)
• Predicting storm impact on coastal dunes at Ameland – Auke Terlouw (at Deltares, 2013)
• Wave-driven dynamics of Shoreward Propagating Accretionary Waves in the nearshore – Lianne van der weerd (at Deltares, 2012)
• Safety assessment of coastal dunes as flood protection – Peter Brandenburg (at Deltares, 2010)
• Modeling of wave attenuation by vegetation in SWAN to be applied in the design of a vegetation-fronted dike in the Noordwaard – einout de Oude (at Deltares, 2010).
• A comparison of applied wave-dominated sand transport models including boundary layer streaming – Willem Wong (2010).
• Improved long-term coastal management as a result of a large-scale spatial perspective - Erik Horstman (at Witteveen+Bos, 2008).
• Salt intrusion in the Selangor Estuary in Malaysia - Maarten van Breemen (at Alkyon, 2008).
• Automated collection of intertidal beach bathymetries from Argus video images - Laura Uunk (at WL|Delft Hydraulics, 2008).
• Coastal morphodynamics at Egmond beach (The Netherlands) – Elmi van den Braak, Lisette Grolle, Cynthia Reintjes, Michelle Berg (1999).
• Managed realignment at Tollesbury (UK) – Sandra Vermeer (at Cambridge University, UK, 1998).

BSc final projects

• Exploring the potential of XBeach in relation to erosion tests in the GWK flume of a new dike design including an erodible layer (at Forschungszentrum Küste, Germany, 2017) - Geert Luijkx.
• Rioolmodellering Rotselaar (at Antea Group, Belgium, 2016) - Daniël van Dijk.
• Golfoverslag in bebouwd gebied (at TAUW, 2016) - Annemarie van Os.
• De kust – meer dan hoogwaterbescherming; Een verkenning van de baten van kustlijnzorg. (at HKV, 2015) – Tessa Andringa,
• Geuroverlast riolering in Nederland (at Arcadis, 2015) - Marien Korevaar.
• Verkenning uitvoeringsstrategieën voor afkoppeling hemelwaterafvoer in Enschede (at Gemeente Enschede, 2015) - Robert Hofstra.
• Invloed klimaatverandering op grondwaterstand in stedelijk gebied (at Wareco Ingenieurs, Deventer, 2014) – Maarten Baan. (Influence of climate change on groundwater levels in urban areas)
• Meetmethodiek eolisch zandtransport: het meten van overstuiving over de zeereep. (at Witteveen + Bos, Rotterdam, 2014) - Tom Maatkamp. (Methodology for measuring aeolian sand transport: measuring sand pray passing the foredune)
• Knelpunten analyse voor het rioleringsstelsel van Kontich (at Antea Group Gent, Belgium, 2013) - Rigt Venema.
• The effect of pontoons on flow patterns in small harbors (at University of Aberdeen, UK, 2013) - Leonie Straatsma
• Een studie naar de standaardisatie van gemalen (at TAUW, 2013) - Rens Holterman
• Sediment load assessment and sediment management in the Broadlands Hydropower Project in the upper reaches of the Kelani River (at Ceylon Electricity Board, Dharmapala, Sri Lanka, 2012) – Eric Jacobs.
• Analysis of the water availability for the area of Einlanden-Digul-Bikuma (at PusAir Center for Water Resources, Bandung, Indonesia, 2012) - Bouke Pieter Ottow
• From camera to GIS: A feasibility study for camera-based automatic inspection of river banks (at Grontmij, De Bilt, 2011) - Matthijs Bary.
• River bed changes of the River Overijsselse Vecht (at Waterschap Groot Salland, Zwolle, 2011) - Renier Kramer.
• Sedimentation problems in the Cilalawi River, Indonesia (at Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia; 2011) - Gerben Jan Vos.
• Van weiland tot woonwijk (at Aveco de Bondt, 2011) – Herman Brink (From pasture land to residential area).
• Dijkversterking Noord-Groningen (at waterschap Noorderzijlvest, 2011) – Thijs Visser (Dike reinforcement in Noord-Groningen, The Netherlands).
• Historical hurricane atlas (at Royal Haskoning, New Orleans, USA, 2010) - Rinse Joustra.
• Sediment source assessment in the Gippsland Lakes (at Department of Primary Industries, Rutherglen, Victoria, Autralia, 2010) - Lianne van der Weerd.
• Experimental Surge forecasting tool eSURF (at Royal Haskoning, New Orleans, USA, 2009) – ChuHui Lin.
• A predictive model for hurricane surge levels in New Orleans (at Royal Haskoning, New Orleans, USA, 2008) - Marcel van den Berg.
• Onderzoek naar de relatie tussen drinkwaterverbruik en weerscondities (at DHV, Amersfoort, 2007) - Lea Goedhart (Relation between weather conditions and the consumption of drinking-water).
• Onderzoek naar de verwachtingen van actoren m.b.t. de voorbereiding van vaargeulverdieping Hanzerak-West (at Rijkswaterstaat – directie IJsselmeer gebied, 2007) – Suleyman Naqshband. (Stakeholder expectations in the preparation-phase of the deepening of the Hanzerak-West waterway).
• Invloed onverzadigde zone op een bestaand “quickscan”-model voor grondwaterstijging door infiltratie (at Tauw, Deventer, 2007) - ander van den Tillaart (The influence of the unsaturated zone on changes in groundwaterlevel near stormwater infiltration facilities).
• Fluid mud, mucopolysaccharides and salinity in the Ems Estuary (at Groningen University, 2006) – Janneke Tax.
• Saline intrusion in the Gambia River after dam construction (at Department of Water Resources, Banjul, The Gambia, 2005) – Chris van Rens and Maarten Verkerk.

Miscelleneous

• Co-organizer Summerschool on Estuarine and Coastal Processes in relation to coastal zone management, Texel Island, The Netherlands (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Lecturer at Summerschool on Estuarine and Coastal Processes in relation to coastal zone management, Texel Island, The Netherlands (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Lecturer at International Summer Course on Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics, Skallingen, Denmark (2006)
• Organizer experiments in the ‘Water dome’ as part of ‘Experiment in het Bos’– (Hands-on science education program for children ages 10-14, 3 week lustrum event at University of Twente, September 2011) http://www.utwente.nl/experimentinhetbos/en/domes/ (see some pictures of wave flume experiment (Harriet Joolink explains formation of wave ripples) at: http://www.utwente.nl/experimentinhetbos/fotoalbum/%5Eindex.html/photo_page_34.html
• VHTO/Spiegelbeeld role model ‘women in science and technology’ at secondary schools (VHTO – National expert organisation girls/women in science/technology, http://www.vhto.nl/ ).

• Civil Engineering

• Civil Engineering and Management

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

 

• 195419999 - CEM Master Thesis Water
• 195799152 - Internship
• 202000250 - Internship

• 191199152 - Internship
• 195419999 - CEM Master Thesis Water
• 195799152 - Internship
• 201800031 - Data Analysis in Water Eng. & Management
• 201800039 - Building with Nature
• 201800115 - Preparation Master Thesis
• 201800116 - Preparation Master Thesis
• 201800120 - Capita Selecta CEM-WEM
• 202000250 - Internship

Biophysical controls on pollution flows in coral reef Marine Protected Areas (2023-2027)

Coastal vulnarability assessment for present and future (2023-2027)

From micro to macro scale: from sand grain behaviour to emergent coastal dune properties (2021-2025)

Biogeomorphological responses of mangrove forests to variations in hydrodynamic forcing (2019-2023)

ReAShore: Resilient Anthropogenic Shores (2019-2024). Large scale sandy shore reinforcements like the Sand Motor and the Hondsbossche Dunes, combine flood safety and spatial quality. This project investigates how these functions can both flourish on the long term. To that end, the mutual influence is investigated of use and management of these man-created shores on the one hand, and natural processes like sand transport, vegetation dynamics and dune development on the other hand. Results are input for thedevelopment of a design tool to co-create with stakeholders scenarios for use and management that optimally serve long term objectives of coastal safety and spatial quality

ShoreScape: sustainable co-evolution of the natural and built environment along sandy shores. (2017-2023): The land-sea interface is a very attractive location for humans to settle. In the case of low lying, sedimentary coastlines this can be a risky location, as these shorelines are inherently dynamic in nature. Accelerating rates of relative sea level rise will increase coastal erosion, creating world-wide growing demands for coastal protection along urbanized shores. Central notion to this project is that the key to sustainably adapt to this situation is to be found in smart, pro-active sediment management using ‘building-with-nature’  approaches, rather than in traditional reactive approaches involving expansion of static, hard coastal defense structures. The ShoreScape project therefore aims to develop knowledge, tools and design principles for dynamic occupation of the land-sea interface, to enhance ‘building-with-nature’ processes and exploit its potential for the spatial development of multi-functional coastal environments – shorescape.

ShoreScape is a joint research effort with the Urbanism department of Delft University of Technology. University of Twente focusses on the modelling of coastal landscape evolution at the land-sea interface including the built environment. It includes a project on understanding and modelling sediment dynamics in coastal built environments (1 PhD) and a project on airflow patterns across various building typologies (1 PhD). Delft  University focusses on designing adaptive coastal built environments (1 PhD). I am overall project leader, as well project leader of the University of Twente contribution. Further project partners are Deltares, Wageningen Marine Research, Witteveen+Bos, H+N+S Landscape architects. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation NWO in collaboration with the national ‘Topconsortium Knowledge and Innovation in Delta Technology’ and co-funded by Rijkswaterstaat and Hoogheemraadscap Hollands Noorderkwartier.

SEAWAD: Sediment supply at the Wadden Sea ebb-tidal Delta. From system knowledge to mega-nourishments (2016-2020): The Netherlands has chosen to protect its coast by means of soft adaptive solutions such as (mega) nourishments. As the Wadden Sea tidal basin is a net sediment importing system, several of its barrier island open coasts have to be nourished on a regular basis. This is exacerbated by the accelerated sea-level rise and subsidence and subsequently larger nourishment volumes are foreseen in the near future. One of the options considered is the possibility to put nourishments in the ebb-delta area, to more directly feed the tidal basins with sediment. However, the morphological and ecological impacts of such a large-scale intervention in a complex system as the ebb-tidal delta of the Wadden Sea are insufficiently known. This is all the more critical, as the anticipated mega-nourishments will be in the vicinity of the protected World Heritage area. Within SEAWAD, we develop the system knowledge and tools to predict the effects of mega-nourishments on morphology and ecology (benthos distribution). I am involved in the subproject Eco-dynamic design of nourishments as a co-supervisor of the PhD-research of Harriëtte Holzhauer in this topic. Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

The Argus Program (ongoing): Video remote sensing of the beach and nearshore zone. The Argus program (http://cil-www.oce.orst.edu/), initiated at Oregon State University, aims at developing optical measurement approaches to exploit visible signatures of nearshore phenomena (hydrodynamics, morphology) with high resolution in space and time, using computer controlled video cameras. Video-stations are located at over 40 beaches around the globe. Data obtained are used to increase insight in the nearshore morphodynamic system. The Argus program is supported by an international research network of individuals and institutes who derive their funding from variable sources. Most recent project: Argus video imagery in support of aeolian transport studies (Nov 2011-May 2012). Exploratory study on mapping aeolian morphodynamics across an artificially created dune feature from Argus video imagery at Vlugtenburg beach (The Netherlands). Funded by ‘Ecoshape/Building with Nature’.

Past research projects (while at University of Twente)

CoCoChannel:Co-designing Coasts using Natural Channel-shoal dynamics. (2014-2019): The CoCoChannel project aims at developing the knowledge and tools needed for innovative solutions to erosion problems along shorelines near tidal inlets; more specifically, Building-with-Nature type interventions such as triggering or stimulating shoal attachment through dredging or dumping of sediment at smart locations on the ebb-delta. Implementing such an innovative concept requires early interaction with stakeholders and coastal communities, not only to obtain their support but also to collaboratively improve the design of the intervention. Thus, the eventual design of these innovative interventions can be regarded as the product of a network of scientists, engineers and other stakeholders, and their social dynamics. CoCoChannel is a joint research effort in which our group joined forces with UNESCO-IHE, Delft University of Technology, DELTARES and IMARES. In addition to increasing the knowledge on channel-shoal dynamics of ebb-deltas (sub-project 1, 1 PhD at UNESCO-IHE) and the related impact on the adjacent beach-dune system (sub-project 2, 1 PhD at University of Twente), the project also aims at assessing the role of system understanding in the process of co-designing such Building-with-Nature type interventions with stakeholders (sub-project 3, 1 PhD at Delft University of Technology). I am overall project leader, as well project leader of sub-project 2. Funded by National Science Foundation NWO (thematic call ‘Building with Nature’, defined in collaboration with the national ‘Topconsortium Knowledge and Innovation in Delta Technology’).

Aeolian and hydrodynamic sand exchange across the beach. (2013-2017): This project aims at understanding and modelling the sand exchange between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system at a time scale of years to decades, on natural beaches. The exchange of sand between the nearshore zone and the beach-dune system occurs through both hydrodynamic and aeolian processes. Supply of sand from land to sea occurs mostly during storm surge erosion. Regarding the supply of sand from the sea to the land (accretion process), the intertidal beach is a crucial zone, because this is the area where sediments that are deposited by marine processes can be picked by wind to become part of the beach-dune system of the coast. The state of the intertidal beach is strongly tied to the nearshore morphodynamics, for instance through the development of ridge and runnel topography or rhythmic bars and beach topography. Knowledge development will focus on the accretionary component of the sand exchange. Argus video imagery of the intertidal beach collected at Egmond beach since 1998, are an important source of information for the analyses. Funded by: Conicyt (Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica). PhD involved: Leonardo Duarte Campos.

NatureCoast: Nature-driven nourishment of coastal systems. (2012-2017): In 2011 a huge shore nourishment (21 Mm3) has been applied at the Delfland coast (NL) in the shape of a peninsula (crtl-click here for some nice pictures). This unprecedented experiment aims to protect the hinterland from flooding by letting natural processes distribute sand over shoreface, beach and dunes, thus constituting a climate-robust and environmentally friendly way of coastal protection. The key objective of the NatureCoast program is to raise our understanding and predictive capability regarding the various aspects of this type of shore nourishments, up to a level enabling to assess their effectiveness and to export the underlying technology worldwide. The overall scientific challenge lies in understanding and predictive modelling of the complex interplay of eco-morphological, hydrological and societal processes that govern the evolution, effects, feasibility and acceptability of mega-nourishment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzo1KDlqEU&feature=youtu.be). Hence this research program involves 12 research groups from different disciplines (program leader: Prof.dr.ir. M.J.F. Stive, TUD). I lead the Dune Formation subproject. This subproject aims at obtaining predictive understanding of both the impact of mega-nourishments on the spatio-temporal variability in aeolian sediment supply towards upper beach and dunes (PhD 1, at Univ. of Twente) and the key processes and conditions for making the transition from a bare beach to a vegetated dune, including associated landforms such as green beaches (PhD 2, at Wageningen UR). Funded by National Technology Foundation STW.

Congruent scales in economics, coastal engineering and morphology (2005-2011). ALW/LOICZ-funded project to explore whether congruent scales in economics, coastal engineering and morphology exist, and if so, how phenomena occurring at congruent scales might interact. PhD-student involved in the ‘coastal engineering and morphology’ topic: Lisette Bochev-van der Burgh. PhD-thesis successfully defended September 2012. Thesis title: Decadal-scale morphologic variability of foredunes subject to human interventions.

GIS-technology and the analysis and forecasting of change in the marine environment (2006-2010): research project within the framework of the BSIK-funded project We@Sea. PhD-student involved: Blanca Perez-Lapeña. PhD-thesis successfully defended April 2011. Thesis title: Detecting Seabird Displacement. A simulation based geostatistical approach.

Morphological development of the Banda Aceh Coast after the tsunami of December 26, 2004(2004-2009). PhD-student involved: Ella Meilianda. (Note: I got involved in the project from October 2007 onwards). PhD-thesis successfully defended June 2009. Thesis title: Past, present and future morphological development of a tsunami affected coast. A case study of Banda Aceh.

Organisations

• Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), Coastal Systems and Nature-Based Engineering (CSNBE)