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Key expertise T.J. Bouma

Research topics:

Ecologische restoratie ; restoratie ecologie ; baggeren bij gevoelige ecosystemen ; Building with Nature ; bouwen met de natuur ; ecologische kust verdediging ; ecologische kustverdediging ; golf demping ; biofysische interacties ; biogeomorfologie ; bio geomorfologie; ecosysteem engineers ; bio bouwers ; biobouwers ; trait based ecology

Ecosysteem types:

moeras ; vegetatie ; mangrove ; mangroven ; schor ; schorren ; kwelder ; kwelders ; zeegras ; getijde plaat ; slikken ; dijk ; benthos ; bodemdieren

 

Research Interests T.J. Bouma

Estuaries are dominated by physical forces originating from tidal currents and waves. These hydrodynamic forces affect the distribution and growth strategies of organisms that inhabit this dynamic environment. Many of these organisms can modify the physical forces, resulting in complex biophysical interactions. In case that organisms cause a biological modification of the abiotic environment that is distinct from and relatively large compared to the abiotic processes, this often referred to as ecosystem engineering. Biophysical interactions by ecosystem engineers can have a strong spatial explicit character, with major consequences for the functioning and development of the estuarine landscape. Bio-physical interactions offer an interesting research topic, i) regarding their role in the morphological development of the estuarine landscape, ii) regarding their importance for understanding key mechanisms that control biological activity in estuarine ecosystems and iii) because they may represent an model system for how organisms interact with their environment.

Within this context, I’m interested in obtaining a better understanding of ecosystem engineering as a strategy (fundamental science), the thresholds ecosystem engineers encounter in establishing (bottle neck in restoration), the influence ecosystem engineers have on ecosystem functioning by altering resource fluxes, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and landscape evolution (management implications & Building with Nature opportunities). I study these topics, using the broad range of contrasting intertidal vegetations and benthic animals as model system, and where relevant, including their interactions. In these studies, the hydrodynamic forces from waves and currents are both included.

By basing my research questions on fundamental ecological theory, the research yields insights that are generally widely (i.e., across systems) applicable in coastal management of ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, salt marshes, mangroves, tidal flats and hard defence structures. Some examples of applied management issues I have worked on are: issues related to ecosystem restoration; incorporating ecosystems in coastal defence designs; methods to enable dredging in sensitive ecological areas and developing strategies to enrich hard coastal defence structures.

  

 

Publications over the last 10 years (2004-2013)

2013

Balke T, Webb EL, van den Elzen E, Galli D, Herman PMJ, Bouma TJ (2013) Seedling establishment in a dynamic sedimentary environment: a conceptual framework using mangroves. Journal of Applied Ecology 2013 doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12067

Bouma TJ, Temmerman S, van Duren LA, Martini E, Vandenbruwaene W, Callaghan DP, Balke T, Biermans G, Klaassen PC, van Steeg P, Dekker F, van de Koppel J, de Vries MB, Herman PMJ (2013) Organism traits determine the strength of scale-dependent bio-geomorphic feedbacks: A flume study on three intertidal plant species. Geomorphology 180-181: 57–65

Christianen MJA, van Belzen J, Herman PMJ, van Katwijk MM, Lamers LPM, van Leent PJM, Bouma TJ (2013) Low-Canopy Seagrass Beds Still Provide Important Coastal Protection Services. PLoS ONE 8(5): e62413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062413

Cozzoli F, Bouma TJ, Ysebaert T, Herman PMJ (2013) Application of non-linear quantile regression to macrozoobenthic species distribution modelling: comparing two contrasting basins. Marine Ecology Progress Series 475: 119–133.

La Nafie YA, de los Santos CB, Brun FG, Mashoreng S, van Katwijk MM, Bouma TJ (2013) Biomechanical response of two fast-growing tropical seagrass species subjected to in situ shading and sediment fertilization. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 446 (2013) 186–193

Schoelynck J, Meire D, Bal K, Buis K, Troch P, Bouma T, Meire P, Temmerman S (2013) Submerged macrophytes avoiding a negative feedback in reaction to hydrodynamic stress. Limnologica ??: ??-?? (in press)

Van Engeland T, Bouma TJ, Morris EP, Brun FG, Peralta G, Lara M, Hendriks IE, van Rijswijk P, Veuger B, Soetaert K, Middelburg JJ (2013) Dissolved organic matter uptake in a temperate seagrass ecosystem. Marine Ecology Progress Series 478: 87–100

Valle M, van Katwijk MM, de Jong DJ, Bouma TJ, Schipper AM, Chust G, Benito BM, Garmendia JM, Borja Á (2013) Comparing the performance of species distribution models of Zostera marina: Implications for conservation. Journal of Sea Research ??: ??-?? (in press)

Vandenbruwaene W, Bouma TJ,Meire P, Temmerman S (2013) Bio-geomorphic effects on tidal channel evolution: impact of vegetation establishment and tidal prism change. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms 38, 122–132.

2012

Balke T, Klaassen PC, Garbutt A, van der Wal D, Herman PMJ, Bouma TJ (2012) Conditional outcome of ecosystem engineering: A case study on tussocks of the salt marsh pioneer Spartina anglica. Geomorphology 153: 232-238.

Christianen MJA, Govers LL, Bouma TJ, Kiswara W, Roelofs JGM, Lamers LPM, van Katwijk, MM (2012) Marine megaherbivore grazing may increase seagrass tolerance to high nutrient loads. Journal of Ecology 100: 546-560.

de los Santos, CB, Brun, FG, Onoda Y, Cambridge, ML, Bouma TJ, Vergara JJ, Perez-Llorens LJ (2012) Leaf-fracture properties correlated with nutritional traits in nine Australian seagrass species: implications for susceptibility to herbivory. Marine Ecolog y Progress Series 458: 89-102

Friess DA, Krauss KW, Horstman EM, Balke T, Bouma TJ, Galli D, Webb EL (2012) Are all intertidal wetlands naturally created equal? Bottlenecks, thresholds and knowledge gaps to mangrove and saltmarsh ecosystems. Biol. Rev. 87: 346–366.

Han Q, Bouma TJ, Brun FG, Suykerbuyk W, van Katwijk MM (2012) Resilience of Zostera noltii to burial or erosion disturbances. Marine Ecol. Prog. Ser. 449: 133–143

La Nafie YA, de los Santos CB, Brun FG, van Katwijk MM, Bouma TJ (2012) Waves and high nutrient loads jointly decrease survival and separately affect morphological and biomechanical properties in the seagrass Zostera noltii" Limnol. Ocean. 57: 1664–1672.

Paul M, Bouma TJ, Amos CL (2012) Wave attenuation by submerged vegetation: combining the effect of organism traits and tidal current. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 444: 31–41

Shi BW, Yang SL, Wang YP, Bouma TJ, Zhu Q (2012) Relating accretion and erosion at an exposed tidal wetland to the bottom shear stress of combined current–wave action. Geomorphology 138: 380–389. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.10.004

Suykerbuyk W, Bouma TJ, der Heide T, Faust C, Govers LL, Giesen WBJT, de Jong DJ, van Katwijk MM (2012) Suppressing antagonistic bioengineering feedbacks doubles restoration success. Ecological Application22:1224-1231

Temmerman, S, De Vries MB, Bouma TJ (2012) Coastal marsh die-off and reduced attenuation of coastal floods: A model analysis. Global and Planetary Change 92-93:267-274.

Temmerman S, Moonen P, Schoelynck J, Govers G, Bouma TJ (2012) Impact of vegetation die-off on spatial flow patterns over a tidal marsh. Geophysical Research Letters 39, L03406, doi:10.1029/2011GL050502

van de Koppel J, Bouma TJ, Herman PMJ (2012) The influence of local- and landscape-scale processes on spatial self-organization inestuarine ecosystems. Journal of Experimental Biology 215, 962-967

Vandenbruwaene, W, Bouma, T.J., Meire P, Temmerman S (2012). Bio-geomorphic effects on tidal channel evolution: impact of vegetation establishment and tidal prism change. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms. DOI: 10.1002/esp.3265

Yang SL, Shi BW, Bouma TJ, Ysebaert T, Luo XX (2012) Wave attenuation at a salt marsh margin: A case study of an exposed coast on the Yangtze estuary. Estuaries and Coasts 35:169–182.   DOI 10.1007/s12237-011-9424-4.

2011

Alexandre A, Silva J, Bouma TJ, Santos R (2011) Inorganic nitrogen uptake kinetics and whole-plant nitrogen budget in the seagrass Zostera noltii. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 401: 7–12

Bal KD, Bouma TJ, Buis K, Struyf E, Schoelynck J, Backx H, Meire P (2011) Trade-off between drag reduction and light interception of macrophytes: comparing five aquatic plants with contrasting morphology. Functional Ecology 2011

Balke T, Bouma TJ, Horstman EM, Webb EL, Erftemeijer PLA, Herman PMJ (2011) Windows of opportunity: thresholds to mangrove seedling establishment on tidal flats. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. Vol. 440: 1–9 (doi: 10.3354/meps09364)

Borsje BW, vanWesenbeeck BK, Dekker F, Paalvast P, Bouma TJ, vanKatwijk MM, deVries MB (2011) How ecological engineering can serve in coastal protection. Ecological Engineering 37: 113-122. DOI 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.11.027   

Christianen MJA, van der Heide T, Bouma TJ, Roelofsd JGM, van Katwijk MM, Lamers LPM (2011) Limited toxicity of NHx pulses on an early and late successional tropical seagrass species: Interactions with pH and light level. Aquatic Toxicology 104: 73–79.

Desmet NJS, Van Belleghem S, Seuntjens P, Bouma TJ, Buis K, Meire P (2011) Quantification of the impact of macrophytes on oxygen dynamics and nitrogen retention in a vegetated lowland river. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 36: 479–489

Hendriks IE, Cabanellas-Reboredo M, Bouma TJ, Deudero S, Duarte CM.  (2011) Seagrass meadows modify drag forces on the shell of the fan mussel, Pinna nobilis. Estuaries and Coasts. 34: 60-67. DOI 10.1007/s12237-010-9309-y

Infantes E, Orfila A, Bouma TJ, Simarro G, Terradosa J (2011) Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seedling tolerance to wave exposure. Limnol. Oceanogr. 56: 2223–2232

Montserrat F, Suykerbuyk W, Al-Busaidi R, Bouma, T.J., Wal, D. van der & Herman PMJ (2011). Effects of mud sedimentation on lugworm ecosystem engineering. Journal of Sea Research 65: 170-181. DOI 10.1016/j.seares.2010.09.003

Puijalon S, Bouma TJ, Douady CJ, van Groenendael J, Anten NPR, Martel E, Bornette G (2011) Plant resistance to mechanical stress: evidence of an avoidance–tolerance trade-off. New Phytologist 191: 1141–1149 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03763.x

Schwarz C, Ysebaert T, Zhu Z, Zhang L, Bouma TJ, Herman PMJ (2011) Abiotic Factors Governing the Establishment and Expansion of Two Salt Marsh Plants in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Wetlands 31:1011–1021.   DOI 10.1007/s13157-011-0212-5

Van Engeland, T, Bouma TJ, Morris EP, Brun FG, Peralta G, Lara M, Hendriks IE, Soetaert K, Middelburg JJ (2011)  Potential uptake of dissolved organic matter by seagrasses and macroalgae. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 427: 71-81. DOI: 10.3354/meps09054

van Katwijk MM, van der Welle MEW, Lucassen ECHET, Vonk JA, Christianen MJA, Kiswara W, Inayat al Hakim I, Arifin A, Bouma TJ, Roelofs JGM, Lamers LPM (2011) Early warning indicators for river nutrient and sediment loads in tropical seagrass beds: A benchmark from a near-pristine archipelago in Indonesia. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62: 1512–1520.

Vandenbruwaene, W, Temmerman, S., Bouma, T.J., Klaassen, P.C., Vries, M.B. De, Callaghan, D.P., Steeg, P. van, Dekker, F., Duren, L.A. van, Martini, E., Balke, T., Biermans, G., Schoelynck, J. & Meire, P. (2011). Flow interaction with dynamic vegetation patches: implications for bio-geomorphic. Journal of Geophysical Research – Earth Surface. 116: F01008 doi: 10.1029/2010JF001788

Ysebaert T, Yang S.L., Zhang L, He Q, Bouma TJ, Herman PMJ (2011) Wave attenuation by two contrasting ecosystem engineering salt marsh macrophytes in the intertidal pioneer zone. Wetlands 31:1043–1054.   DOI 10.1007/s13157-011-0240-1 DOI 10.1007/s13157-011-0240-1

2010

Bouma TJ, De Vries MB, Herman PMJ (2010) Comparing Ecosystem engineering efficiency of 2 plant species with contrasting growth strategies. Ecology 91 2696–2704 (doi: 10.1890/09-0690)

Callaghan DP, Bouma TJ, Klaassen P, van der Wal D, Stive MJF, Herman PMJ (2010) Hydrodynamic forcing on salt marsh development: distinguishing the relative importance of waves vs. tidal flow. Est. Coast Shelf Science: 89 73-88

de los Santos CB, Brun FG, Bouma TJ, Vergara JJ, Pérez-Lloréns JL (2010) Acclimation of seagrass Zostera noltii to co-occurring hydrodynamic and light stresses. MEPS 398: 127-135

Hendriks  IE, Bouma TJ, Morris EP, Duarte CM (2010) Effects of seagrasses and algae of the Caulerpa family on hydrodynamics and particle-trapping rates. Mar Biol. 157: 473-481   ( DOI 10.1007/s00227-009-1333-8)

van der Heide T, Bouma TJ, van Nes EH, van de Koppel J, Scheffer M, Roelofs JGM, van Katwijk MM, Smolders AJP (2010) Spatial self-organized patterning in seagrasses along a depth gradient of an intertidal ecosystem. Ecology 91: 362-369

2009

Borsje BW, de Vries MB, Bouma TJ, Besio G, Hulscher SJMH, Herman PMJ (2009) Modeling bio-geomorphological influences for offshore sandwaves. Continental Shelf Research 29: 1289-1301.

Borsje BW, de Vries MB, Bouma TJ, Besio G, Hulscher SJMH, Herman PMJ (2009) Modeling bio-geomorphological influences for offshore sandwaves. Coastal engineering 2008: 4423-4435.

Bouma TJ, Friedrichs M, van Wesenbeeck BK, Temmerman S, Graf G, Herman PMJ (2009) Density-dependent linkage of scale-dependent feedbacks: a flume study on the intertidal macrophyte Spartina anglica. OIKOS 118: 260-268.

Bouma TJ, Friedrichs M, Klaassen P, van Wesenbeeck BK, Brun FG, Temmerman S, van Katwijk MM, Graf G, Herman PMJ (2009) Effects of shoot stiffness, shoot size and current velocity on scouring sediment from around seedlings and propagules. Marine Ecol. Prog. Ser. 388: 293-297

Bouma TJ, Olenin S, Reise K, Ysebaert T (2009) Ecosystem engineering and biodiversity in coastal sediments: posing hypotheses. Helgoland Marine Research 63: 95–106.

Bouma TJ, Ortells V, Ysebaert T (2009) Comparing biodiversity effects among ecosystem engineers of contrasting strength: macrofauna diversity in Zostera noltii and Spartina anglica vegetations. Helgoland Marine Research 63: 3-18.

Brun FG, van Zetten E, Cacabelos E, Bouma TJ (2009) Role of two contrasting ecosystem engineers (Zostera noltii and Cymodocea nodosa) on the filter feeding rate of Cerastoderma edule. Helgoland Marine Research 63: 19–25.

Kiswara W, van Avesaath P, Huiskes AHL, Erftemeijer PLA, Bouma TJ (2009) Root architecture of six oligotrophic seagrass species, growing in 3 contrasting habitats. Aquatic Botany 90: 235-245

Reise K, ·Bouma TJ, Olenin S, Ysebaert T (2009) Coastal habitat engineers and the biodiversity in marine Sediments. Helgoland Marine Research 63: 1–2.

2008

Chang ER, Veeneklaas RM, Buitenwerf R, Bakker JP, Bouma TJ (2008) To move or not to move: determinants of seed retention in a tidal marsh. Functional Ecology 22: 720–727.

Hendriks IE, Sintes T, Bouma TJ, Duarte CM (2008) Experimental assessment and modeling evaluation of the effects of seagrass (P. oceanica) on flow and particle trapping. Marine Ecol. Prog. Ser. 356: 163-173.

Morris EP, Peralta G, Brun FG, van Duren LA, Bouma TJ, Pérez-LlorénsJL (2008) Interaction between hydrodynamics and seagrass canopy structure: Spatially explicit affects on ammonium uptake rates. Limnology Oceanography 53: 1531-1539.

Morris, EP, Peralta, G, Brun, FG, van Duren, L, Bouma, TJ, Perez-Llorens, JL (2008) Erratum: Interaction between hydrodynamics and seagrass canopy structure: Spatially explicit effects on ammonium uptake rates. Limnology and Oceanography 53: 2056.

Peralta G, van Duren LA, Morris EP, Bouma TJ (2008) Consequences of shoot density and stiffness for ecosystem engineering by benthic macrophytes in flow dominated areas: a hydrodynamic flume study. Marine Ecology Progress Series 368: 103-115.

Puijalon S, Bouma TJ, van Groenendael J, Bornette G (2008) Clonal plasticity of aquatic plant species submitted to mechanical stress: escape versus resistance strategy. Annals of Botany 102: 989–996.

van Wesenbeeck BK, van de Koppel J, Herman PMJ, Bouma TJ (2008) Does scale-dependent feedback explain spatial complexity in salt-marsh ecosystems. OIKOS 117: 152-159.

van Wesenbeeck B, van de Koppel J, Herman PMJ, Bertness MD, van der Wal D, Bakker JP, Bouma TJ (2008) Potential for sudden shifts in transient systems: Distinguishing between local and landscape-scale processes. Ecosystems 11: 1133-1141.

Visser EJW, Bögemann GM, Smeets M, de Bruin S, de Kroon H and Bouma TJ (2008) Evidence that ethylene signalling is not involved in selective root placement by tobacco plants in response to nutrient-rich soil patches. New Phytologist 177: 457-465.

Vonk JA, Middelburg JJ, Stapel J, Bouma TJ (2008) Dissolved organic nitrogen uptake by seagrasses. Limnol. Oceanogr. 53: 542-548.

Yang SL, Li H, YsebaertT, BoumaTJ, Zhang WX, Wang YX, Li P, Li M, Ding PX (2008) Spatial and temporal variations in sediment grain size in tidal wetlands, Yangtze delta: On the role of physical and biotic controls. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 77: 657-671.

2007

Bos AR, Bouma TJ, de Kort GLJ, van Katwijk MM (2007) Ecosystem engineering by annual intertidal seagrass beds: sediment accretion and modification. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 74: 344-348.

Bouma TJ, van Duren LA, Temmerman S, Claverie T, Blanco-Garcia A, Ysebaert T, Herman PMJ (2007) Spatial patterns in flow- and sedimentation within vegetation patches: comparing field, flume and hydrodynamic modelling experiments. Continental Shelf Research 27: 1020-1045.

Florez-Sarasa ID, Bouma TJ, Medrano H, Azcon-Bieto J, Ribas-Carbo M (2007) Participation of the cytochrome and alternative pathways to growth and maintenance respiratory components in Arabidopsis thaliana. Physiologia Plantarum 129: 143-151.

Temmerman S, Bouma TJ, Van de Koppel J, van der Wal DD, De Vries MB, Herman PMJ (2007) Vegetation causes channel erosion in a tidal landscape. Geology 35: 631-634.

van der Heide T, van Nes EH, Geerling GW, Smolders AJP, Bouma TJ van Katwijk MM (2007) Positive feedbacks in seagrass ecosystems – theoretical and management implications. Ecosystems 10: 1311-1322.

van Hulzen, JB, Van Soelen J, Bouma TJ (2007) Morphological variation and habitat modification are strongly correlated for the autogenic ecosystem engineers Spartina anglica (Common Cordgrass). Estuaries and Coasts 30: 3-11.

van Wesenbeeck BK, van de Koppel J, Herman P.M.J., Bakker J.P., Bouma TJ (2007) Biomechanical warfare in ecology; Negative interactions between species by habitat modification. OIKOS 116: 742-750.

2006

Jansen C, van Kempen M, Bögemann GM, Bouma TJ & de Kroon H (2006) Limited costs of wrong root placement in Rumex palustris in heterogeneous soils. New Phytologist 171: 117-126.

van Hulzen JB, van Soelen J, Herman PMJ, Bouma TJ (2006) The significance of spatial and temporal patterns of algal mat deposition in structuring salt-marsh vegetation. Journal of Vegetation Science 17.3: 291-299.

Peralta G, Brun FG, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Bouma TJ (2006) Direct effects of current velocity on the growth, morphometry and architecture of seagrasses: a case study on Zostera noltii. Marine Ecol. Prog. Ser. 327: 135-142.

2005

Bouma TJ, De Vries MB, Low E, Peralta G, Tánczos IC, van de Koppel J, Herman PMJ (2005) Trade-offs related to ecosystem engineering: A case study on stiffness of emerging macrophytes. Ecology 86: 2187-2199.

Bouma TJ, De Vries MB, Low E, KustersL, Herman PMJ, Tánczos IC, Hesselink A, Temmerman S, Meire P, van Regenmortel S (2005) Flow hydrodynamics on a mudflat and in salt marsh vegetation: identifying general relationships for habitat characterisations. Hydrobiologia 540: 259-274.

Bouma TJ (2005) Understanding Plant Respiration: Separating Respiratory Components versus a Process-Based Approach. In “Advances in photosynthesis and respiration” H. Lambers & M. Ribas-Carbo eds. Springer. pp 177-194.

Evrard V, Kiswara W, Bouma TJ, Middelburg JJ. (2005) Nutrient dynamics of seagrass systems: 15N evidence for the importance of particulate organic matter and root systems. Marine Ecol. Prog. Ser. 295: 49-55.

Temmerman S, Bouma TJ, Govers G, Lauwaet D (2005) Flow paths of water and sediment in a tidal marsh: Relations with marsh developmental stage and tidal inundation height. Estuaries 28: 338-352.

Temmerman S, Bouma TJ, Govers G, Wang ZB, De Vries MB, Herman PMJ (2005) Impact of vegetation on flow routing and sedimentation patterns: Three-dimensional modeling for a tidal marsh. Journal Geophysical Research 110: F04019.

 

Research Grants over the last 10 years (2003-2012)

- main-applicant - Assessing the influence of human activities on ecosystem health and identifying indicators for nearness to system collapse: a case study on the Yellow River delta - 1 Sept. 2011 - 1 Sept. 2014 – NWO

- co-applicant - Sustainable COastal Land Management: Trade-offs in EcoSystem Services – (COMTESS)- 30 June 2011 - 30 December 2013

- main-applicant - Towards designing innovative coastal protection using ecosystem-based approaches; deriving underlying ecological knowledge - Building with Nature, BwN case Singapore - 1 Dec. 2009 - 1 Dec. 2013 – BwN SI 2.3 & 3.1

- co-applicant -  Innovative technologies for safer European coasts in a changing climate (THESEUS) - 1 Dec. 2009 - 1 Dec. 2013 - EU grant# 244104

- Dutch principal investigator - Relating ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services by mangroves:  a case study on sediment dynamics – appointed at Deltares as Dutch PI for this project - SDWA

- Program coordinator - ZKO Unraveling interacting feedback loops that control non-linear salt-marsh dynamics: combining experiments and modeling- National Programme Sea and Coastal Research, NWO Division for Earth and Life Sciences- 1 Nov. 2008 - 1 Nov. 2012 - NWO 839.08.322

- participant - Quantifying the influence of plant traits and patchiness on self-organized coastal landscape formation via bio-physical interactieons, EU-FP6 Integrated Infrastructure Initiative, under the Transnational Access program of HYDRALAB III, 2008

- main-applicant - WOTRO / KNAW / NWO project – supervising PhD student; Biophysical feedbacks between seagrasses and hydrodynamics in relation to grazing, water quality and spatial heterogeneity: consequences for sediment stability and seston trapping, 2006 –2012.- WT 84-644

- main-applicant STW project – supervising PhD student & post-doc; Towards sustainable coastal defence by salt marsh management: innovative extension and application of stare-of-the-art hydrodynamic model, 1 Oct. 2006 – 1 Oct. 2010. – STW 07324

- subcontractor - WINN project (RWS funded) – Biobouwers van de kust, Fase 1. Gebruik van eco-engineers in kustbeheer. Een innovatieve interactie van schelpdieren, schorren en kwelders. 2006 + 2007. – WINN-RWS

- in collaboration with T. Ysebaert and P.M.J. Herman, one of the principle investigators of the MarBEF (EU funded) responsive mode 17: The role of native and/or invasive ecosystem engineers in explaining biodiversity

- main-applicant - MISTRES project (RIKZ funded) - Quantifying the relative importance of extreme hydrodynamic conditions as threshold for salt marsh rejuvenation; 1 Sept. 2004 – 1 November. 2011. – MISTRES-RIKZ

- co-applicant - LOICZ project (NWO funded) – supervising PhD student Bregje van Wesenbeeck; Mechanisms involved in salt-marsh rejuvenation, 1 Sept. 2002 – 1 Sept. 2006. – LOICZ 014.27.005

- main-applicant for small research project in WOTRO / KNAW / NWO funded East Kalimantan program with title Seagrass systems: preserving by understanding - Causes and consequences of shifts between seagrass-meadows and bare-sediments: the role of biodiversity, hydrodynamics and soil chemistry for (de-)stabilising alternative stable states; 2003. - East Kalimantan Program WT 84-559

 

Education and professional appointments

Tjeerd Bouma studied biology at the University of Utrecht, where after he did a PhD at the Wageningen Agricultural University. After his PhD, he worked as a post doctoral researcher at the Pennsylvania State University. In 1997 he got appointed at the Center of Estuarine and Marine Ecology (CEME) in Yerseke (part of NIOO-KNAW). Within the department of Littoral Vegetations he studied how different root growth strategies enable salt marsh plants and seagrasses cope with inundation stress and anoxic sediments. With the foundation of the department of Spatial Ecology in 2002, his research focus was changed towards the role of bio-physical interactions (i.e., plant-hydrodynamic interactions) and ecosystem engineering (landscape building by organisms) in coastal landscapes (see research interest). Between 2008 and 2013, he had a part-time appointment at Deltares. The Center of Estuarine and Marine Ecology (CEME) in Yerseke, has become from January 2012 onwards part of the NIOZ.