Internship Hydrodynamic ecology: unraveling hydrodynamic effects
Within estuaries, deltas and shallow coastal zones, organisms are continuously exposed to biotic interactions on one hand, and
hydrodynamic forces from waves and tidal currents on the other hand.
Description
The biotic interactions may however be altered by these hydrodynamic forces, as
- species may alter their behavior in response to hydrodynamic forcing,
- different species may have a different sensitivity to these hydrodynamic forces in that they may experience them as a different stress level,
- resource supply may be altered by physical forcing.
At this moment, hydrodynamic forcing is greatly modified by humans, due to climate change and coastal construction. At the same time, over the last decades, ecological communities have been greatly altered due to humans introducing invasive species and over-exploiting local species.
Within this research, we aim to unravel for inter- and shallow sub-tidal areas, how hydrodynamic forces affect:
- behavior of (keystone) species
- resource supply to species
- species interactions
- ecological community composition and functioning
- if the above may have trait-based underlying mechanisms
The research is carried out by deploying manipulative experiments in wave mesocosms as well as different types of flumes where we can manipulate flow.
Requirements and application
Within this research theme we offer several topics, each with the opportunity to tune it towards your specific interest. The possible topics will, however, strongly depend on the timing of the research.
For further information and to apply, please contact prof. dr. Tjeerd Bouma: