Flanders Hydraulics Research - Department of Mobility and Public Works (MOW)
1- Who is working on this project?
Dr. Sebastian Dan: With a background in geology and coastal engineering, he investigates the sandy coasts evolution as an integrated system including dune, beach and the submerged nearshore area. Currently, his research is focussing on the Belgian coast dynamics in relation to human interventions and climate change.
2- Your organisation: what do you do? Where are you based and what are you hoping to get out of the project after it ends?
Flanders Hydraulics Research (FHR) is a centre of expertise for research and advice on hydraulic, nautical, sediment-related and hydrological topics. As a scientific institute and technical support service, FHR is a division of the department of Mobility and Public Works of the Government of Flanders and it supports the preparation and execution of the policy of the Government of Flanders by providing comprehensive, scientifically sound knowledge, knowledge products and advice on water systems.
Involvement in the ENDURE projects will bring better knowledge of the coastal dune systems, enhanced collaboration with coastal stakeholders and preparedness for the anticipated climate change challenges.
3- Activities: what are you responsible for and where will you be carrying out your work?
FHR will be actively involved in the majority of the activities, providing expertise in coastal processes in relations to the coastal dunes. Based on the coastal topography a model will be build aiming to:
- Investigate the general evolution of the coastal dunes at regional level (Flanders) and at decadal time scale.
- Provide support, collaboration and feedback for the ecological models developed by UGent constructed to identify the vulnerability of the coastal dunes. The findings from Belgium will be used to assess the vulnerability of the coastal dunes for the entire 2 Seas area (Netherlands, Belgium, parts of France and UK coasts).