Ruimtelijke en temporele modellering van sediment fluxen op regionale schaal met integratie van experimentele gegevens verzameld op perceel, heuvel helling en stroomgebied schaal.

The general objective of this project is to quantify the effect of changes in land use on regional sediment fluxes by establishing a spatially explicit regional sediment flux model incorporating landscape connectivity. More specifically, this project aims to (i) develop a modelling approach that integrates the data collected at the spatial scale of plots, hillslopes and small catchments into a regional flux model by focusing on the connectivity of water and sediment fluxes for a complex three-dimensional terrain. (ii) assess the impact of historical land use change on temporal variations in regional sediment fluxes using land use maps of 1963,1995 and 2005 (Molina et al., in press b; Vanacker et al., 2005). (iii) optimise the cost-benefit of specific catchment management strategies (e.g. reforestation, sediment trapping in reservoirs) by evaluating the effectiveness of land use scenarios as proposed by stakeholders. This project is scientifically innovative, as it integrates field data collected at different spatial scales by incorporating the concept of landscape connectivity into a regional sediment flux model. Besides, it will provide a scientific basis for a sound catchment management plan by highlighting the efficiency and effectiveness of specific land use policies on reducing sediment production, transfer and delivery in the river system.

Trefwoorden:erosion, sediment delivery, hydrology