Title of the project
NL2120: Assessing the effects of nature-based solutions in small Dutch rivers.
Type
PhD research
Duration
2025 – 2029
Persons involved
J. Nicholas (PhD candidate)
dr.ir. D.C.M. Augustijn (Promotor)
dr.ir. V. Kitsikoudis (Co-promotor / Daily supervisor)
Funding of the project
The project is funded by the National Growth Fund, submitted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, as part of the NL2120 program
Summary of the research
In recent decades, the negative impacts of river control interventions on the surrounding environment have been brought to attention and more natural ways of influencing the flow and dynamics of rivers are being implemented around the world. Nature-based solutions, when compared to traditionally engineered interventions like channelization and weirs, leverage natural processes to guide river dynamics in a less disruptive manner. These interventions can require far less maintenance while also providing a wider range of ecosystem services than traditional river controlling methods. Nature-based solutions have seen success in many implementations but often appear to have less predictable effects and we need more research to understand them fully. The understanding of the effects of their use in smaller rivers is especially lacking. While nature-based solutions are being implemented in multiple small rivers around the Netherlands, surprising results and downstream effects have been observed following their implementation. This project looks to assess the hydrodynamic and morphological effects of such interventions in small river systems (e.g. the river Dinkel). We will investigate local effects of some interventions via field measurements and larger-scale effects by modelling the river system shortly after implementation and over a longer term.
Keywords
River hydrodynamics, river morphodynamics, numerical modelling, field measurements, nature-based solutions, small rivers
More information
Joe Nicholas
Room Horst W216
joe.nicholas@utwente.nl