PhD in Coastal Climate Change Adaptation: Developing Nature-Based Dune Landscape Solutions

Project Overview

This PhD project is part of the European CORRAL initiative aimed at supporting local and regional authorities to implement socio-ecological-technological transformations that enhance coastal resilience. The focus is on developing a “Dune Park” in Scheveningen inspired by the Zandmotor pilot, applying vegetation planting strategies to trap wind-driven sediment. The natural elevation of coastal dunes is studied as a nature-based solution to combat sea-level rise, fostering the co-evolution of vegetation and dune morphology.

What You Will Do

• Study the natural processes driving coastal dune growth in an urban environment.
• Lead a fieldwork program measuring vegetation and morphological changes using GPS, drones, and remote sensing.
• Simulate dune and vegetation evolution using the AeoLiS model.
• Disseminate findings to stakeholders illustrating the site’s evolution and potential as sustainable coastal defense.

Expected Outcomes

The project expects to produce a robust understanding of urban coastal dune development, validated models of dune-vegetation evolution, and actionable knowledge for coastal defense strategies integrating natural processes. The outcomes will support the scaling of nature-based coastal adaptation solutions in diverse settings.

Why This Matters

Coastal areas face increasing threats from climate change, including sea-level rise and storm impacts. Understanding and harnessing natural dune growth processes can provide sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically beneficial coastal protection. This research contributes to enhancing community preparedness and ecological integrity in vulnerable coastal systems.