PhD thesis defence Kerstin Bouma: Cyclic water level dynamics determine wetland functioning

On 4 April 2025, Kerstin Bouma will defend her PhD thesis, titled "Cyclic water level dynamics determine wetland functioning". The ceremony will take place at Wageningen University & Research. Her (co-)promotors are NIOO-researchers Liesbeth Bakker and Bart Nolet, and Leon Lamers (Radboud University).

In natural wetlands, variation in the water level leads to the drying or flooding of areas, thereby creating new types of habitats for plants and animals. The presence of dikes and dams limits the variation (dynamics) in water level in wetlands, which can lead to a decrease in diversity, for example, in birds. However, it is not known what the underlying processes are that cause this decline. Therefore, during her PhD research, Kerstin looked into how dynamic water levels impact habitat and food availability for birds. The research was conducted in the Oostvaardersplassen, where wet periods with higher water levels are alternated with drier periods with lower water levels. Based on the results, she concludes that water levels play an important role in determining habitat and food availability for birds in clay marshes through a 'reset' of vegetation development and more variation in water depth.

More information on online attendance can be found on the university's website.