msc thesis research soil physics & processes – topic 1 · soil physics & processes –...

Aruba: Analysing test areas and ‘rooi’s as nursery for recovery of flora, fauna and water

management in N.P. 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])

MSc thesis research Soil Physics & Processes – topic 1

Australia: Agriculturally-based research opportunities in regional, rural Australia

The NCEA (National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in Toowoomba is located 130 km west of the capital city of Queensland, Brisbane. The NCEA focuses on a number of practical and applied research projects across a number of research themes. Depending on the interests of the students and the time of year, the types of projects available are quite varied and include:

• Non-contact visual soil moisture content estimation • Livestock impact on groundwater resources • Controlled traffic farming improves fertiliser use efficiency in grain cropping systems • Development of a framework to quantify and manage impacts of coal seam gas (CSG)

activities on the soil resource of agricultural land • Development of improved conservation agriculture systems • Evaluation of fertiliser use efficiency with a view to optimising nutrient management

practices in CTF systems There are a number of other projects available in precision livestock farming, emissions abatement, precision agriculture and irrigation efficiencies which can be negotiated with key research staff at the NCEA.

Host institute: NCEA, USQ, Toowoomba

Country: Australia

Starting date: Any time

SLM contact person: Jerry Maroulis (482881; [email protected])


Australia: rainfall cycles

Project Description This project is based on the analysis of long term (150 years) rainfall, temperature, seas surface temperature and streamflow data from Australian stations to understand the causes and predictability of century long cycles in the data. Is this a global phenomena? Is this related to climate change? Is this related to volcanic eruptions? How do we predict the cycle? And what is its impact? Methodology: Analysis of weather and hydrological records Research objective/question:

• Which fluctuations occur in the rainfall records of Australia? • How can we explain these fluctuations? • How do the rainfall fluctuations affect land and water management in selected

parts of Australia.

Host institute: Sydney University, Willem Vervoort

Country: Australia


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


Bonaire: Land-sea flows from a semi-arid

island, can they explain deep cyanobacteria?

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). In this research you will determine hydraulic head, water temperature and water salinity in selected near-coastal water sources, and use these data in the model SEAWAT (USGS) to simulate flow in approximate geometries. Finally you will compare this with established in-sea salinity and temperature profiles, as well as with occurrence of cyanbobacteria fields. The research question is: Are land-sea flows a possible explanation for the occurrence of cyanobacteria fields on Bonaire?

Host institute: Imares – Erik Meesters (responsible)

Country: Bonairte

Starting date: open

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Israel: deficit irrigation strategies and

methods for automation

Project Description In the Middle East fresh water amounts are very limited. Israel is facilitating detailed lysimeter research to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation and various salinity levels on agricultural production. At Gilat Research Centre long term irrigation experiments are performed with various water quantities, qualities and crops. Currently soil and plants are monitored at large olive tree lysimeters. A special focus is the root – soil interaction of olives, for which mini-rhizotrons are introduced. In September 2015 the olives will be harvested to identify the salt accumulation in trees, roots and soil. Methodology: Lysimeter experiments and agrohydrological modeling Research objective/question: How can we achieve a high water productivity at irrigated olive orchards in case of limited, salinized water resources?

Host institute: Gilat Research center, Alon Ben-Gal

Country: Israel




Israel: 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])


New Zealand: subsurface drainage, capillary

rise and solute leaching

Project Description In the sandy areas of Manawatu Region in the lower North Island of New Zealand groundwater levels are changing. Currently shallow groundwater contributes to the vegetation growth of pastures and maize fields. In this project we investigate the effect of expected groundwater level change on cultivation at pastures and maize fields. Methodology: Field measurements and agrohydrological modeling Research objective/question: • Which groundwater level changes can we expect at the Manawatu Region? • How do the groundwater level changes affect the water balance and vegetation

growth at pastures and maize fields?

Host institute: Massey University, Ranvir Singh

Country: New Zealand

Starting date: either February or August



Niger: the hanza tree and its potential as erosion control measure

Niger Republic is a sahelian country battling malnutrition and droughts since decades. Boscia senegalensis is a tree species capable of growing throughout the country in many different types of soils. However it is mentioned in the literature that it should also be capable of growing in sand dunes, yet this has not been observed in the Zinder region. It has been observed that hanza shrubs can fix sand by breaking the speed of the winds. When it comes to farmers' fields, the species is often cut down during preparations of the fields to make space for the millet. This MSc research could explore questions like: do hanza trees affect the soil fertility in a positive way and how? Can hanza pioneer soils with loose sand or sand dunes, such as the areas just south of the Sahara Desert? How efficient is the tree in wind and water erosion control? A crude data set of growth areas for hanza is available, which could be used to explore a relationship between the type of soil and hanza presence. The student will have his base in Zinder town, but should be prepared for fieldwork in dry and warm areas with poor people. International staff is available for feedback and supervision. A basic knowledge of French is required.

Host institute: Sahara Sahel Foods in Zinder (Josef and Renate Garvi)

Country: Niger


SLM contact person: Aad Kessler (486055; [email protected])


Netherlands: 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

Country: Netherlands


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


Netherlands: 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.

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


Netherlands: 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



Netherlands: 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



Netherlands: 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. Research objective/question: 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

SLM contact person: Klaas Metselaar [email protected]



Netherlands: 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

Country: Netherlands


SLM contact person: Martine van der Ploeg ([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

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


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


Portugal: thresholds for vegetation

Project Description In the European research project CASCADE (2012-2017) various dry ecosystems in Southern Europe are investigated with respect to the effect of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services. In various experimental areas in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece the vegetation is closely monitored at various amounts of precipitation. Research institute Alterra and chair group SLM coordinate the CASCADE project. We are looking for a Master student who can analyse and interpret the plant and soil data of the experiment in Portugal. Methodology: Analysis of plant and soil data, agrohydrological modeling Research objective/question: • At which rainfall deficit does the vegetation die? • At which soil content does the vegetation regenerate? • How does the expected climate change affect dying and regeneration of vegetation?

Host institute: University of Aveiro, Jan Jacob Keizer

Country: Portugal


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



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





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])


Spain: Sustainable land management, sediment dynamics and carbon fluxes

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. 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





msc thesis research soil physics & processes – topic 1 · soil physics & processes –...

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