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Mechanisms of ecosystem services of hardwood riparian forests: Scientific analysis as well as optimization through conservation management (MediAN)

Research project of The Chair of Hydraulic Engineering (Subproject on vegetation structure and its flood effects in the joint project "MediAN")

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Short description

Elbe section near Lenzen with hardwood floodplain forest
Elbe section near Lenzen with hardwood floodplain forest

Within the framework of the joint project MediAN, hardwood floodplain forests are to be analyzed with regard to their ecosystem services of carbon conversion and storage as well as their effect in the event of flooding. The selected study area extends along the Elbe from Bleckede to Rühstädt.

The task of the Chair of Hydraulic Engineering was to investigate the role of hardwood floodplain forests in flood protection. For this purpose, vegetation structures of different forest categories were first recorded in the study area at different times of the year: By means of insitu measurements, the vegetation structures were recorded in representative forest sections using a photographic method. The photographs were then used to assign hydraulic resistance parameters (friction coefficient λ, GMS roughness coefficient kSt) to the vegetation.

Field measurement for fouling detection
Field measurement for fouling detection
Preparation of photographic images for fouling analysis using MATLAB
Preparation of photographic images for fouling analysis using MATLAB

Project editing

  • Dr.-Ing. habil. Peter Mewis
  • Dr. Kristin Ludewig, Universität Hamburg
  • Studentische Hilfskräfte Annika Pflum und Jessika Gappisch, M.Sc.

Project partner for the subproject