John Guest Phillips Memorial Travelling Scholarship 2010
Report by Anne-Lise Montreuil
Introduction
My PhD research aims to improve understanding of the ways in which dune
and beach interactions occur under a complex wind regime and macro-tidal
environment. Coastal dunes are natural features, reflecting interaction among
geomorphological, biological and ecological processes and are important for
landscape evolution, habitat provision and coastal defence.
Relevance
My research includes field based activities, geospatial and remote sensing
analyses. The fieldwork aims to examine how the relationship between wind
regime, tide and environmental setting influences aeolian sand transport in the
foredune formation and development over the seasons. Thus, seasonal
fieldwork have been vital to develop a model describing the optimal conditions
for foredune formation under different wind conditions. The field study area is
located along the North Lincolnshire coast (UK) between Saltfleet Haven and
Mablethorpe. Fieldwork were conducted on three study sites with different
environmental characteristics. My successful application for the John Guest
Philips Memorial Travelling scholarship provided me with funding for the travel
costs of the seasonal fieldwork along the North Lincolnshire coast.
Wind, turbulence, aeolian sand transport and moisture measurements at
Theddlethorpe beach
Use of the Award
The John Guest Phillips Memorial Travelling scholarship funded my road
travel to and from Theddlethorpe, and local driving between accommodation
and the study sites. Fieldwork were undertaken at three sites representing a
wide beach (WB), area of active embryo dune formation (ED), narrow beach
(NB). These were selected for their particular geomorphologic and
environmental characteristics which may have an influence on the interaction
of the beach-dune system. Each fieldwork consisted of measurements of wind
regimes, airflow turbulence, aeolian sand transport and other environmental
parameters such as temperature, surface moisture content, fetch distance,
and vegetation density. Also, high spatial resolution topographic surveys were
conducted with DGPS system at the three sites. Seasonal fieldwork were
carried out during five separate weeks and under various wind conditions.
Conclusion
Studying for a PhD has provided an exciting opportunity to conduct research
but it has also represented a valuable training and learning process. Fieldwork
has formed a crucial part of this process and has greatly influenced the
outcome of the research. Undertaking this study, has offered me the
opportunity to enhance my skills in areas such as fieldwork planning, the
successful management of field assistants, and the operation of different
types of equipment. The acquisition of these abilities has built upon my
existing skills base and enabled me to develop as an academic researcher.
The John Guest Phillips Memorial Travelling scholarship has given me the
opportunity to develop an excellent foundation for my PhD research project.