C421: Building with Nature: the role of bio-physical linkages within coastal wetland restoration (Priority project with CASE partner)

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This project will explore the linkages between the vegetation and sediment characteristics of coastal wetlands and thecritical thresholds that govern the provision of ecosystem services such as wave attenuation. Research objectives wouldinclude: (i) exploring relationships between larger spatial vegetation configurations and extreme wave conditions usingdata from the Hydrolab experiment; (ii) investigating smaller-scale (e.g. individual plant) relationships betweenhydrodynamic conditions, sediment types (e.g. restored wetland and natural wetland) and vegetation in the Departmentof Geography flume; (iii) calibrating this with information at wider spatial scales using field measurements and potentiallyUAV or satellite imagery; (iv) using this information about scales and site-specific variables to produce useful outputinformation for practitioners and policy makers looking at coastal wetland restoration. Further details can be found in myresearch proposal. The increasing understanding of the importance of coastal wetland systems and recognition of theirglobal degradation means that this project is highly relevant. I would relish the opportunity to develop the research skillsand knowledge about coastal processes that I have developed whilst studying for my MPhil, and use more data-basedand empirical approaches to understand more about the critical thresholds in the provision of natural flood defence byrestored coastal wetlands.