Erik Meijles
University of Groningen, Spatial Sciences, Faculty Member
Although the Netherlands has a long tradition of sea-level research, no Holocene relative sea-level curve is available for the north of the country. Previous studies hypothesized that the relative sea-level reconstruction for the western... more
Although the Netherlands has a long tradition of sea-level research, no Holocene relative sea-level curve is available for the north of the country. Previous studies hypothesized that the relative sea-level reconstruction for the western Netherlands is also valid for the northern part of the country. However, glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models predict a lower and steeper relative sea-level curve because of greater postglacial isostatic subsidence. Long-term data of relative sea-level change are important to inform GIA models and understand postglacial vertical land motion related to the rebound of Fennoscandia and neotectonic activity.
We compiled and evaluated a set of basal peat radiocarbon dates to reconstruct the Holocene relative mean sea-level rise in the Dutch Wadden Sea area. For the early Holocene, this reconstruction is lower than the western Netherlands curve. After 6400 cal a BP, the curve for the Wadden Sea is statistically indistinguishable from that for the western Netherlands, a result that conflicts with GIA model results. It remains to be investigated whether the problem lies with the GIA model predictions or with the quality of the available data. Additional basal peat radiocarbon dates from suitable sites should be collected to further resolve this problem.
We compiled and evaluated a set of basal peat radiocarbon dates to reconstruct the Holocene relative mean sea-level rise in the Dutch Wadden Sea area. For the early Holocene, this reconstruction is lower than the western Netherlands curve. After 6400 cal a BP, the curve for the Wadden Sea is statistically indistinguishable from that for the western Netherlands, a result that conflicts with GIA model results. It remains to be investigated whether the problem lies with the GIA model predictions or with the quality of the available data. Additional basal peat radiocarbon dates from suitable sites should be collected to further resolve this problem.
Research Interests:
Results of a study dealing with demand of employers for Geo-information specialists and the supply of educational institutes are presented. Results will be focussed on possible reactions by the educational institutes (e.g. the Van Hall... more
Results of a study dealing with demand of employers for Geo-information specialists and the supply of educational institutes are presented. Results will be focussed on possible reactions by the educational institutes (e.g. the Van Hall Instituut). The need for a clear definition of a geo-information specialist is strong, with according content of the geo-information curricula. It may be needed to distinguish education into to two or three different GIS expert groups.
Research Interests:
Results of a study dealing with demand of employers for Geo-information specialists and the supply of educational institutes are presented. The need for a clear definition of a geo-information specialist is strong, with according content... more
Results of a study dealing with demand of employers for Geo-information specialists and the supply of educational institutes are presented. The need for a clear definition of a geo-information specialist is strong, with according content of the geo-information curricula.
ABSTRACT This paper illustrates the hillslope storm runoff mechanisms and the effects of livestock in upland areas. The research site was a small upland catchment area on Dartmoor (Southwest England). It was shown that overland flow on... more
ABSTRACT This paper illustrates the hillslope storm runoff mechanisms and the effects of livestock in upland areas. The research site was a small upland catchment area on Dartmoor (Southwest England). It was shown that overland flow on the tracks and paths created by animals in the area responded very rapidly to rainfall, in the same order of magnitude as stream runoff. Livestock stocking densities were significantly different in different vegetation compositions. The topsoil bulk density values, moisture content and spatial track densities were significantly higher in areas associated with higher stocking rates. These areas reach a wetness threshold at an earlier state than surrounding, drier areas. When isolated, the wetter areas start discharging water only locally into downslope drier areas, but are not contributing to storm runoff in the stream. In areas with a high density of animal tracks, water is being discharged onto the track directly. The tracks comprised an ephemeral hydrological network contributing storm runoff to the stream quickly after rainfall. They transmit water rapidly downhill, short-circuiting local areas, reducing runoff lag time and increasing storm stream runoff. The runoff producing mechanism, in which soil conditions, vegetation types and path networks are a complex interplay of contributing factors, may be relevant to other uplands, especially when they act as water reservoir or source area for possible flooding events. Therefore, upland management policies need to take into account that the heterogeneity of hillslopes at local scales has implications for storm runoff at the catchment scale. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Drawing on experiences from a project conducted in the 'Drentsche Aa' area in the Netherlands, this article discusses the concept of the 'rural atelier' as a form of problem-based learning. The rural... more
Drawing on experiences from a project conducted in the 'Drentsche Aa' area in the Netherlands, this article discusses the concept of the 'rural atelier' as a form of problem-based learning. The rural atelier principle was used originally in rural development planning and ...
Research Interests:
... Meyles EW, Williams AG, Ternan JL, Dowd JF. 2003. Runoff generation in relation to soil moisture patterns in a small Dartmoor catchment, Southwest England. Hydrological Processes 17: 251264. Mowforth MA, Sydes C. 1989. Moorland... more
... Meyles EW, Williams AG, Ternan JL, Dowd JF. 2003. Runoff generation in relation to soil moisture patterns in a small Dartmoor catchment, Southwest England. Hydrological Processes 17: 251264. Mowforth MA, Sydes C. 1989. Moorland Management: A Literature Review. ...