Award for research on the impact of re-meandering on the Demer Valley
Malaurie Hons (Global Change Ecology, research group ECOSPHERE) received the Paul Van Oye Award from the KVAB, the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts. The award recognises her research on the impact of re-meandering on hydro- and morphodynamics, biodiversity, and water quality in the Demer Valley.
Her research examined, in an integrated and holistic way, the impact of river restoration in the Demer within the framework of the Sigmaplan. Malaurie evaluated various restoration measures and their effects on water quality, biodiversity, and hydrological and morphological river dynamics. By combining field measurements with statistical analyses, she identified ecological patterns. These interdisciplinary results were translated into practical restoration strategies that support both science and policy and contribute to a resilient approach to river restoration in the context of climate change.
