Flow characteristics and habitat mapping in littoral zone

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Organisation

University of Turku

Description

Marine coastal ecosystems are significantly influenced by physical disturbances, with ferry traffic, in addition to natural wind-induced waves, emerging as a consistent long-term daily disruption, particularly in narrow and shallow passages. The Archipelago Sea, situated in the northern Baltic Sea, stands out as one of the busiest areas for cargo, tourist, and ferry activities. The local economy heavily relies on the maritime shipping industry, contributing to its significance. Nonetheless, these operations result in considerable abiotic and biotic disturbances to coastal geo- and biodiversities, particularly in vulnerable passages where erosion, dislodgements, and sustained sediment resuspension occur. However, there are no systematic quantitative information about the scale, location and abiotic or biotic consequences of this human activity.

PhD project description:

We are seeking a talented doctoral researcher with good knowledge on fluvial and geospatial technologies related research focusing on aquatic vegetation, flow characteristics, 3D remote sensing and point cloud processing. The PhD project aims to develop novel methodologies to quantify aquatic vegetation characteristics using novel laser scanning data and to investigate the impact of flow characteristics variation caused by ferry traffic on the aquatic vegetation in the littoral zone of south-west coastal region in Finland. The PhD work will provide crucial insights of the impact of physical disturbance on marine coastal ecosystems. The PhD project utilizes unique state-of-the-art green wavelength laser scanning data to assess the aquatic vegetation characteristics and its variation in unprecedented detail. Further, novel automated monitoring instruments, autonomous flow condition measurements are targeting both the wave disturbance regime and the underwater light climate. The abiotic data will be complemented by measuring resuspension using sedimentation traps. Surveys of both benthic soft bottom and rocky shore macroalgal assemblages will be conducted with special emphasis on plant biomass and associated diversity on impacted ferry route sites and control areas nearby.

Specific requirements:

We offer the opportunity to pursue PhD degree and contribute to cutting-edge research in remote sensing of fluvial environments in one of the leading research teams globally. The applicant should be active, motivated and self-guided and have initiative and willingness for team working. We also expect an excellent master’s degree in, for example, physical geography, marine biology, hydrology, or related fields. The candidate should also have the following skills: (1) Knowledge and interest on Geo-ICT approaches and remote sensing; (2) Strong understanding on hydrological and coastal processes; (3) Interest and experience in outdoors & field work. Experience in computational modelling, spatio-statistical approaches and/or programming are for great advantage.

Secondment: 

SYKE/LUKE

Dept./Faculty to which the thesis belongs:

Department of Geography and Geology/ Faculty of Science

Principal supervisor:

Adj.prof. Ville Kankare

2nd supervisor:

Prof. Petteri Alho

3rd supervisor:

Assoc. prof. Christoffer Bostöm

Secondment host:

TBA

More information:

https://sites.utu.fi/tohtorikoulutuspilotti/diwa-digital-waters-flagship/