About:

Expertise

• Remote Sensing
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Coastal and estuarine geomorphology
• Biogeomorphology, biophysical interactions
• Benthic ecology  (saltmarsh, macrobenthos / shellfish, microphytobenthos / benthic diatoms, macroalgae)
  

Curriculum vitae 

Since 2012:  Research scientist Spatial Ecology (tenured)

Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke (NL)

GIS and remote sensing in estuarine and coastal ecology

 

2002-2012:   Researcher Spatial Ecology (tenured since 2007)

Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Yerseke (NL)

GIS and remote sensing in estuarine and coastal ecology

 

1999-2002:   Postdoctoral researcher

Royal Holloway, University of London (UK)

Estuarine, saltmarsh and dune morphodynamics

 

1996-1999:   PhD Spatial Sciences

Physical Geography Dept, University of Amsterdam (NL)

Aeolian transport of nourishment sand

 

1994-1996:  Researcher

Physical Geography Dept, University of Amsterdam (NL)

 

1988-1994:   MSc Physical Geography

Physical Geography Dept, University of Amsterdam (NL)

             

Research interests

The central theme of my work is to quantify, understand and predict interactions between biota and their environment shaping the estuarine and coastal landscape.

Current research themes seek to unravel:

• mechanisms of saltmarsh development
• dynamics of intertidal sediments
• structuring and functioning of intertidal benthic communities
• benthic-pelagic interactions in estuaries and lagoons.

Methods include spatial modelling in GIS, forward and inverse modelling with remote sensing data (radar, optical and TIR satellite data and hyperspectral and lidar airborne data) for retrieving key variables (elevation, sediment texture, bed roughness, algal biomass and primary production, macrobenthic diversity, saltmarsh vegetation), combined with hydrodynamic models and field data.

Publications

• Selected articles

Compton, T.J., S. Holthuijsen, A. Koolhaas, A. Dekinga, J. ten Horn, J. Smith, Y. Galama, M. Brugge, D. van der Wal, J. van der Meer, H.W. van der Veer, T. Piersma (2013). Distinctly variable mudscapes: Distribution gradients of intertidal macrofauna across the Dutch Wadden Sea. Journal of Sea Research.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2013.02.002 

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman (2012). Ecosystem engineering effects of Aster tripolium and Salicornia procumbens salt marsh on macrofaunal community structure. Estuaries and Coasts 35: 714-726. Open Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12237-011-9465-8

Balke, T., P. Klaassen, A. Garbutt, D. van der Wal, P.M.J. Herman, T.J. Bouma (2012). Conditional outcome of ecosystem engineering: a case study on Spartina anglica tussocks. Geomorphology 153-154: 232-238. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.03.002

Montserrat, F., W. Suykerbuyk, R. Al-Busaidi, T.J. Bouma, D. van der Wal and P.M.J. Herman (2011). Effects of mud sedimentation on lugworm ecosystem engineering. Journal of Sea Research 65: 170-181. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2010.09.003

van der Wal, D., R.M. Forster, F. Rossi, H. Hummel, T. Ysebaert, F. Roose, P.M.J. Herman (2011). Ecological evaluation of an experimental beneficial use scheme for dredged sediment disposal in shallow tidal waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62: 99-108. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.09.005 Full text: http:/www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/220556.pdf

Callaghan, D.P., T.J. Bouma, P. Klaassen, D. van der Wal, M.J.F. Stive, P.M.J. Herman (2010). Hydrodynamic forcing on saltmarsh-development: distinguishing the relative importance of waves and tidal flows. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 89: 73-88. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.05.013

Van Colen, C., A. De Backer, G. Meulepas, D. van der Wal, M. Vincx, S. Degraer, T. Ysebaert (2010). Diversity, trait displacements and shifts in assemblage structure of tidal flat deposit feeders along a gradient of hydrodynamic stress. Marine Ecology Progress Series 406: 79-89. Abstract:http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps08529 Full text: http:/www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/211066.pdf

van der Wal, D., T. van Kessel, M.A. Eleveld, J. Vanlede (2010). Spatial heterogeneity in estuarine mud dynamics. Ocean Dynamics 60: 519-533. Open Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10236-010-0271-9

van der Wal, D., A. Wielemaker-van den Dool, P.M.J. Herman (2010). Spatial synchrony in intertidal benthic algal biomass in temperate coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Ecosystems 13: 338-351. Open Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-010-9322-9

Ibrahim, E., S. Adam, D. van der Wal, A. De Wever, K. Sabbe, R. Forster, J. Monbaliu (2009). Assessment of unsupervised classification techniques for intertidal sediments. EARSeL eProceedings8: 158-179.  Open Access: http://www.eproceedings.org/static/vol08_2/08_2_ibrahim1.pdf

van der Wal, D., A. Wielemaker-van den Dool, P.M.J. Herman (2008).
Spatial patterns, rates and mechanisms of saltmarsh cycles (Westerschelde, The Netherlands). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 76: 357-368. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2007.07.017

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman, R.M. Forster, T. Ysebaert, F. Rossi, E. Knaeps, Y.M.G. Plancke, S.J. Ides (2008). Distribution and dynamics of intertidal macrobenthos predicted from remote sensing: response to microphytobenthos and environment. Marine Ecology Progress Series 367: 57-72. Open Access: http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m367p057.pdf

van Wesenbeeck, B.K., J. van de Koppel, P.M.J. Herman, M.D. Bertness, D. van der Wal, J.P. Bakker, T.J. Bouma (2008). Potential for sudden shifts in transient systems; distinguishing between local and landscape-scale processes. Ecosystems 11: 1133-1141. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-008-9184-6

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman (2007). Regression-based synergy of optical, shortwave infrared and microwave remote sensing for monitoring the grain-size of intertidal sediments. Remote Sensing of Environment111 (1): 89-106.
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2007.03.019

Temmerman, S., T.J. Bouma, J. van de Koppel, D. van der Wal, M.B. de Vries, P.M.J. Herman (2007). Vegetation causes channel erosion in a tidal landscape. Geology 35 (7): 631-634. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G23502A.1 Full text: http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/125276.pdf

Blott, S.J., K. Pye, D. van der Wal, A. Neal (2006). Long-term morphological change and its causes in the Mersey Estuary, NW England. Geomorphology 81: 185-206. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.04.008

van de Koppel, J., D. van der Wal, J.P. Bakker, P.M.J. Herman (2005). Self-organization and vegetation collapse in salt-marsh ecosystems. The American Naturalist 165: E1-E12. Open Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/426602

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman, A. Wielemaker-van den Dool (2005). Characterisation of surface roughness and sediment texture of intertidal flats using ERS SAR imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment 98 (1): 96-109. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2005.06.004

Saye, S.E., D. van der Wal, K. Pye, S.J. Blott (2005). Beach-dune morphological relationships and erosion/accretion: an investigation at five sites in England and Wales using LIDAR data. Geomorphology 72 (1-4): 128-155. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.05.007

van der Wal, D., K. Pye (2004). Patterns, rates and possible causes of saltmarsh erosion in the Greater Thames area (UK). Geomorphology 61 (3-4): 373-391. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.02.005

van der Wal, D. (2004). Beach-dune interactions in nourishment areas along the Dutch coast. Journal of Coastal Research 20: 317-325. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/1551-5036(2004)20[317:BIINAA]2.0.CO;2

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman, T. Ysebaert (2004). Space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar of intertidal flat surfaces as a basis for predicting benthic macrofauna distribution. EARSeL eProceedings 3 (1): 69-80.

van der Wal, D., K. Pye (2003). The use of historical bathymetric charts in a GIS to assess morphological change in estuaries. The Hydrographic Journal 110: 3-9. [Reprint of The Geographical Journal 169 (1): 21-31]
(Awarded the Hydrographic Society's prize for Best First Paper published in The Hydrographic Journal in 2003)

van der Wal, D., K. Pye (2003). The use of historical bathymetric charts in a GIS to assess morphological change in estuaries. The Geographical Journal 169 (1): 21-31. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1475-4959.04943

van der Wal, D., K. Pye, A. Neal (2002). Long-term morphological change in the Ribble Estuary, northwest England. Marine Geology 189 (3-4): 247-264. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(02)00476-0

van der Wal, D. (2000). Grain-size selective aeolian sand transport on a nourished beach. Journal of Coastal Research 16 (3): 896-908. Abstract: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4300100

van der Wal, D. (2000). Modelling aeolian sand transport and morphodynamics in two beach nourishment areas. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 25 (1): 77-92. Abstract: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/69000638/ABSTRACT

van der Wal, D. (1998). Effects of fetch and surface texture on aeolian sand transport on two nourished beaches. Journal of Arid Environments 39 (3): 533-547. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jare.1997.0364 Full text: http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/56251.pdf

van der Wal, D. (1998). The impact of the grain-size distribution of nourishment sand on aeolian processes. Journal of Coastal Research 14 (2): 620-631. Abstract: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4298816 Full text: http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/56258.pdf

van der Wal, D. (1996). The development of a Digital Terrain Model for the geomorphological engineering of the rolling foredune of Terschelling, The Netherlands. Journal of Coastal Conservation 2 (1): 55-62. Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02743037

• Selected books, book chapters and papers in conference proceedings

Ibrahim, E., A. Govaerts, P. Regmi, J. Druyts, D. van der Wal, S. Adam, A. Vervoort, J. Monbaliu, A. De Wever, K. Sabbe, R. Forster (2010). Effect of spatial resolution on intertidal sediment characterization. In: I. Manakos & C. Kalaitzidis (eds). Imagin[e,g] Europe. IOS Press, Amsterdam, pp. 182-189.

Adam, S. E. Ibrahim, R.M. Forster, J. Monbaliu, K. Sabbe, E. Toorman , D.van der Wal (2009). Assessment of sediment erodibility of intertidal mudflats using hyperspectral remote sensing. Imaging spectroscopy: Innovative Tools for Scientific and Commercial Applications. 6^th EarseL Imaging Spectroscopy Workshop, Tel Aviv, Israel.

van der Wal, D., T. Ysebaert, R.M. Forster, F. Rossi, T.J. Bouma, P.M.J. Herman, Y.M.G. Plancke (2008). Synoptic techniques for monitoring the response of intertidal benthic biota to an alternative dredging strategy. In: C.M. Dohmen-Janssen & S.J.M.H. Hulscher (eds). River, coastal and estuarine morphodynamics. Tayler & Francis, London, vol. 1, pp. 307-311.

Perez Calero, D., A. Peyaud, D. van der Wal, J. van 't Hof, H. Hakkesteegt, R. Vink, E.G. P. Bovenkamp, G. van Antwerpen (2008). Low altitude remote sensing. In: Meynart, R., S.P. Neeck, H. Shimoda, S. Habib (eds). Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XII. Proc. SPIE, vol. 7106, 71061B. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.799809

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman (2006). Quantifying the particle size of intertidal sediments with satellite remote sensing in the visible light, thermal infrared and microwave spectral domain. In: Kerle, N., A.K. Skidmore (eds). Remote Sensing: From Pixels To Processes. ISPRS Proc. TC VII. ITC, The Netherlands.

van der Wal, D., A. Wielemaker-van den Dool, P.M.J. Herman (2005). Mapping surface roughness and sediment texture of an estuarine intertidal flat using ERS-2 SAR imagery. Proc. 2004 Envisat & ERS Symposium, Salzburg, Austria. European Space Agency, Noordwijk. ESA SP-572.

van der Wal, D. (1999). Aeolian transport of nourishment sand in beach-dune environments. PhD thesis, University of Amsterdam, 159pp. ISBN 90-6787-053-6

van der Wal, D., J.H.B.W. Elgershuizen, P.D. Jungerius (1995). The Development of a Digital Terrain Model for the geomorphological engineering of the rolling foredune of Terschelling. In: A. Salman, M. Bonazountas & H. Berends (eds). Coastal management and habitat conservation, volume 2, EUCC, Leiden, pp. 417-425.

• Selected articles in national journals

van der Wal, D., P.M.J. Herman, T. Ysebaert (2006). Leven in het sediment: teledetectie van benthische ecologie in intergetijdengebieden. Water 26 (1): 41-45. Open Access: http://www.tijdschriftwater.be/water26-10HI.pdf

Arens, S.M., D. van der Wal (1998). Zeereep open voor invloed natuur. Geografie 7 (3): 18-21.

Projects

NWO/ALW/NSO Ruimteonderzoek Project (2011-2016)
Consequences of global change for ecosystem engineering effects of shellfish (PhD candidate Sil Nieuwhof)

Building with Nature, Galgeplaat (2011-2012)
(with IMARES and Deltares) High frequency multispectral near-surface remote sensing of benthic intertidal ecosystems

Rijkswaterstaat MONEOS Project (2011-2013)
Structuring of estuarine macrobenthos in response to hydrodynamic forcing

ESA Category I Project (2008-2013)
Benthic-pelagic processes in intertidal areas unravelled with remote sensing

RS-Slib/Bodem Project for LTV-Slib, Deltares (2008-2011)
Estimating mud dynamics from remotely sensed observations

BELSPO STEREO II Algased Project (2008-2010) (with Hydraulics Laboratory KU Leuven, University of Ghent and CEFAS) Remote sensing for the characterisation of intertidal sediments and microphytobenthos

FOKUZ Project (2008-2009)
Dynamics of intertidal benthic algae in contrasting European ecosystems

ProSes / Rijkswaterstaat Project (2007-2008) Monitoring intertidal mud and microphytobenthos using remote sensing

RIKZ / NIOO-KNAW Project (2004 - 2013) and related STW Project
(PI Tjeerd Bouma)
Quantifying the relative importance of extreme hydrodynamic conditions as threshold for saltmarsh rejuvenation

Project Walsoorden for Flanders Hydraulics Research (2004-2009)
Alternative dredging strategy for the Westerschelde: ecology

NWO/ALW/SRON USP Project (2004 - 2006)
Remote sensing of estuarine intertidal flats for mapping benthic ecology

ESA Category I Project (2003 - 2006)
Satellite radar remote sensing of intertidal flats

NIOO-KNAW Project (2002 - 2007)
A GIS appraisal of patterns, rates and mechanisms of saltmarsh development