The Department of Physical Geography is searching for a PhD candidate who will study the hydromorphological processes that have led to the low aquatic biodiversity of the Common Meuse river (Maas in Dutch). The aim is to improve our understanding of these processes in order to find appropriate interventions for habitat restoration. This project is funded by Rivers2Morrow, a research programme of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and its executive organisation Rijkswaterstaat. The research will be carried out in close cooperation with ecologists from the Radboud University and experts from
Rijkswaterstaat.
The Common Meuse river is an ecologically important meandering gravel-bed river in the south-east of the Netherlands. The aquatic biodiversity of the Common Meuse does not comply with standards set by the EU Water Framework Directive. The cause is unknown, but it is hypothesised to be related to the lack of suitable habitat due to:
- strong armouring of the river bed;
- bank protection, and;
- filling up of the pores in the gravel with fine sediment.
To test these hypotheses, you will study the spatiotemporal distribution of suitable aquatic habitat and the functioning of the hyporheic zone in relation to the hydromorphological processes. You will then use the new analyses and understanding to suggest, and on a local scale test, new management strategies, for example introduction of large wood to enhance local turbulence, and fine gravel suppletion to mobilise the armoured bed.
What will you be doing?
This study covers the full breadth of river research. You will combine fieldwork and spatial data analyses with modelling to substantiate the new management strategies. Fieldwork includes sediment sampling for grain size distributions, mapping of bedding pavement, measuring of hyporheic flow before and after flood peaks in collaboration with the ecologists. The spatial data analyses integrate (historic) field data and output from hydromorphodynamic models with bathymetric data to map habitat suitability for key species. A long term perspective should provide insight in the relationship between hydromorphological conditions and habitat suitability. With these data, you will be able to answer specific questions, such as: “What fraction of the common Meuse is currently ecologically suitable given the three-dimensional grain size distribution?” This is a unique opportunity to contribute to major scientific and societal questions while working on a doctorate. An important aspect of this project will be communication with, and knowledge transfer to, the ecologists, the river managers, policy makers and other stakeholders.
To support academic and personal development, PhD candidates at Utrecht University follow courses and assist in teaching at Bachelor's and Master's level at our faculty. Together these activities amount to approximately 20% of the contracted time.