Nature-based solutions

The Global Change Ecology Centre has a strong focus on research on nature-based solutions. A prime example is our strong involvement in research on the Sigmaplan, the large scale wetland restoration programme that protects the Scheldt estuary against flooding during storm tides, while also maximizing biodiversity and ecosystem services. Another example is our research on enhanced weathering, and how this natural carbon dioxide removal technology in combination with our soil restoration techniques, including biochar additions. Carbon sequestration and wetland restoration join forces in the WETCOAST project, which develops new strategies for optimizing carbon storage in tidal wetlands, and develops new methods for its quantification using e.g. drone technology.

Storm tide protection

The Scheldt estuary is protected from severe storm tides through a unique project coupling safety, natural development and ecosystem serices provision: the Sigmaplan. Research at the GCE was essential in design the flooding areas. The largest sluice in the biggest restored area was named after former GCE professor Patrick Meire.

To keep global warming below 2°C, active carbon uptake from the atmosphere will be necessary. GCE research focus on developing active carbon sequestration tthrough enhanced weathering, with specific expertise in coupling inorganic and organic carbon cycling. We thus provide key novel input to monitoring, reporting and verification protocols. This research is led by Sara Vicca.

In the research group EVECO, we spend a lot of effort on fundamental research to understand the dynamics of tick-host interactions. This research is e.g. applied in developing nature management techniques that minimize human-tick interactions.

WETCOAST is a large inter-university, blue cluster sponsored project that studies how we can optimize tidal marsh and mangrove restoration for carbon sequestration. Recently, a large new facility was hereto installed in the Hedwige-Prosperpolder.