How do we keep the Dutch delta alive under climate change?

How do we protect the Dutch deltas from extreme weather events?
Speakers in the Delta ENIGMA community presented at the 10th edition of the Brunings lecture, which focused on measuring interactions with plants and effects of extreme events.

After a warm welcome by Universiteit Utrecht Faculty of Geosciences organiser Maarten Kleinhans, Gerben Ruessink spoke about the infrastructure that Delta ENIGMA will offer for biogeomorphological research on the present and future delta landscape under extreme events.

Gerben illustrated that Delta ENIGMA will provide the unique opportunity to measure biomorphological interactions in all three major components of the Dutch delta: rivers, estuaries, and beach-dune. “These interactions will additionally be studied in new laboratory facilities, where events can be imposed that we have never experienced in the field before, but will become realistic under climate change.”

During the lecture, many scientists, practitioners and managers of rivers and estuaries came together to share their knowledge. Timothy Price shared the first results from dune erosion measurements during storms at this lecture.

Timothy: “The combination of talks sparked interesting questions and ideas among the attendees. Having this group of people together, including those involved in Delta ENIGMA, meant that after the talks we had useful discussion on what variables to measure and how, with regards to dune erosion events.”

We are excited to share more about Delta ENIGMA in the coming months. Follow us here to keep up to date!