Research

1. Geomorphic processes, soil degradation and soil conservation

J. Poesen and G. Govers
 
Points of interest:

• experimental geomorphology
• desertification
• soil erosion
• soil degradation
• soil conservation
• sediment production,-transport and -delivery
• reservoir sedimentation
• simulation of rainfall, runoff and wind
• models

The attention of this research group is focussed on the intensity, controlling factors and modelling of these processes under a range of environmental conditions (temperate, Mediterranean, subtropical and tropical areas) and over a range of temporal scales. The most important studied geomorphic processes are: soil erosion by water (actual sheet, rill and gully erosion as well as in historical times), sediment deposition, tillage erosion, land sliding and soil losses due to root and tuber crop harvesting. Attention is also given to anthropogenic soil degradation due to significant land use changes (e.g. in the framework of desertification problems) and to the effectiveness and efficiency of techniques to prevent or combat land degradation. For instance, several research projects focus on the reduction of soil erosion rates at plot level using reduced soil tillage and of gully erosion via innovative techniques or on the evaluation of traditional soil conservation techniques in subtropical areas. In collaboration with other research groups the impact of geomorphic processes on the physical environment (on site and off site effects) is being studied (e.g. in Belgium, Mediterranean zone, China, Vietnam, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, South-Africa). In addition to experimental studies and the assessment of process intensities based on field measurements, models are being developed in order to predict rates of soil erosion and sediment deposition at various timescales and with different temporal resolution. Attention is being given to the effects of errors and error propagation on model results. An important aspect of this research is the integration of these models with process models that describe the dynamics of soil carbon.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

2. Society and Environment

M. Loopmans, G. Govers and A. Van Rompaey
 
Points of interest:

• Integrated analysis of land use and land use changes
• Analysis of spatial decision making mechanisms
• Physical response of landscape to human activity
• Optimisation of land use in the framework of sustainable development
• Spatial modelling and geomatics
  

Research projects in the Integrated Spatial Analysis framework focus on the spatial interaction between physical and socio-economic processes at regional and global scale levels. Both theoretical and empirical approaches are adopted through the development of causal and predictive models that take into account: a) physical processes as a response to human activity and b) socio-economic processes that influence the spatial behaviour of individuals and groups (including political and economical management principles). Modelling of spatial decision making mechanisms and their interaction with physical landscape characteristics are a central issue. Next, spatial models that allow quantifying the physical response of landscapes to human activity are developed. Finally, these research efforts should lead to the the optimisation of the spatial organisation of landscapes in the framework of sustainable development. In addition, in the research framework attention is paid to the development of spatial analysis tools and methods to quantify and reduce error propagation in spatial models in order to minimize the error content of model results.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

3. Terrestrial ecosystems and environmental change

G. Verstraeten and E. Paulissen
 
Points of interest:

• Interaction between human impact and landscape dynamics at different temporal
• The relative role of human and climate impact on the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems
• Impact of environmental changes on biogeochemical cycles
• Landscape and paleo-environmental reconstruction
• Geo-archeology

Our research focuses mainly on the past environmental changes that have occurred since human occupation. Contemporary geomorphic process knowledge is used to explain the observed landscape dynamics for different time periods characterised by changes in land use. Much attention is being paid to the spatial variability and the interaction between the different processes that are active in terrestrial ecosystems, and this at larger spatial scales. A thorough understanding of the long-term landscape dynamics should give us a better understanding of the respective role that humans and climate exert on the landscape. The impact of human- and climate-induced environmental changes on changes in biogeochemical cycles is also being researched. Another research topic is dealing with landscape and paleo-environment reconstruction in different ecological regions (deserts, Mediterranean areas, Temperate regions) in collaboration with archeologists. This research is focussing on the paleo-environmental evolution during the last 5000 years including the impact of sudden climatic changes on landscape evolution.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

4. Regional Climate Studies

N. van Lipzig
 
Points of interest:

• Atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle
• Use of new remote sensing instruments for model evaluation
• Effect of precipitation processes on soil erosion and yield of field crops
• Impact of the land surface on drought persistence
• Role of atmospheric circulation on pollution and dust concentration
• Polar meteorology, i.e. the surface mass balance of Antarctica and recent warming in the Antarctic Peninsula
  

The main research focus of this group is to study aspects of the hydrological cycle i.e. the full cycle of evaporation, cloud formation and precipitation. This is relevant for many aspects of the earth's climate system, including the topics being studied in the department (geomorphic processes, soil degradation and terrestrial ecosystems). As a tool, we use advanced high-resolution regional atmospheric models for different regions of the world.

For models to correctly represent the surface precipitation, it is important that the entire hydrological cycle is well represeted. We use satellite-based and ground-based remotes sensing instruments with both active (radar, lidar) and passive (radiances from visible to microwave) sensors for a detailed evaluation of vertical distribution of hydrometeors (rain, snow, cloud water, cloud ice, and graupel) in atmospheric models. Information on temporal and spatial variations and extreme precipitation events are of importance since they control the impact of precipitation processes in many fields e.g. soil erosion, terrestrial ecosystems and agriculture. The work is done in collaboration with the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and the Meteorological Insitute of the Universtiy of Munich.

After the atmospheric models have been evaluated, they are used to enhance insight in meteorological processes. For example in the Lake Chad's project, the effect of a decrease in the surface area of this lake, due to intensive water use for irrigation, is studied. A key issue is the effect of the land surface on the hydrologic cycle, notably considering soil- and vegetation- feedbacks and their impact on drought persistence in semi-arid regions. For studies on the impact of urbanisation on climate, the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model is coupled to an air quality model. This work is done in close collaboration with the Flemish institute for technological research (VITO). One projects deals with the role of atmospheric circulation in the concentration of pollution and dust. Another project focuses on the effect of urban expansion on temperature trends, which is important when interpreting observed temperature records.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

5. Prehistoric Archaeology

P. Van Peer
 
Points of interest:

• Late Middle Pleistocene and Early Upper Pleistocene archaeology of northeast Africa
• Terminal Pleistocene and Holocene Stone Age societies of western Europe
  
• The Middle and Upper Palaeolithic of western Europe

Het idee dat prehistorische groepen hun levenswijze vorm gegeven hebben in nauwe interactie met hun omgeving ligt aan de basis van de integratie van dit thema in het algehele onderzoekskader van de onderzoeksgroep Fysische en Regionale Geografie.

Gegrond in archeologische theorie en berustend op gemeenschappelijke methodologische fundamenten, zijn de projecten van de Eenheid Prehistorische Archeologie gericht op een beter begrip van de wederzijdse relatie tussen de techno-economie en de omgeving van de mens, zowel voor Paleolithische nomaden als voor Neolithische productie economieën.

Drie grote onderzoeksthema’s, elk gevoed door continue theoretische en methodologische reflectie, worden op dit moment ontwikkeld door groepen van samenwerkende personeelsleden. Chronologisch gezien overspannen ze de periode vanaf het laat Midden-Pleistoceen tot het midden van het Holoceen. Archeologisch veldwerk wordt uitgevoerd in verschillende klimatologische zones, in het bijzonder in Atlantisch West-Europa en aried Noordoost-Afrika.

De groep neemt deel aan enkele internationale onderzoeksprojecten omtrent de oorsprong van de moderne mens, die gefinancierd worden door de Natural Environment Research Council (Groot-Brittannië) en de National Science Foundation (Verenigde Staten). Binnen de context van de League of European Research-Intensitive Universities werd een samenwerking opgebouwd met de universiteit van Leiden (Nederland) en daarnaast fungeert de eenheid als leidinggevende instantie binnen de OIS3/2- werkgroep van de INQUA Commissie voor Paleo-ecologie en Menselijke Evolutie. Op nationaal vlak worden verschillende onderzoeksprojecten uitgevoerd in samenwerking met het Vlaams Instituut voor Onroerend Erfgoed.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

6. Socio-economic Geography of Settlements

C. Kesteloot, M. Loopmans and E. Van Hecke

This research focuses on the social production of space and the way spatial structures affect social change. The central question when studying the interaction between social change (globalisation, marketisation, flexibilisation, dualisation, etc.), spatial structures and social relations (in particular social integration and exclusion) is how different living environments create a different set of opportunities and constraints for their inhabitants to gain their livelihood. This question can be subdivided into economic, social, cultural and political components.
The urban system and its change, urban hierarchy (including the study of trade and services), spheres of influence, the formation of urban metropolitan regions, related population developments (e.g. migrations) and the internal social-spatial structures of cities are the main subjects involved in the study of the social production of space in an urban context. In addition, in a broader regional perspective, attention is also paid to the operation of the housing market and the transformation of the agrarian landscape into the contemporary multifunctional space. This core competence area combines historical insights with more contemporary socio-economic processes.

This research field comprises both fundamental and applied aspects, very much related to policy, for which the research group collaborates with authorities at different levels. In view of the growing impact of the European decision-making level, the further development of European comparative research is a priority. In future, this expertise will also be applied outside the Western European context in fundamental and applied research (Africa, Asia). In many projects, the research is conducted in a multidisciplinary framework (with the collaboration of e.g. anthropologists, sociologists, architects and criminologists).

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

7. Economic geography, regional development and spatial policy

D. Vanneste, M. Loopmans, P. Cabus and E. Van Hecke

Research on spatial policy issues is conducted for several scale levels (from local to international). The focus is put on the preconditions for a sustainable location policy of functions and equipment on the one hand and on spatial impacts they produce, from a monitoring and management perspective. On the one hand, research aims at developing insights in the competition between the users of space that hamper regional development.

On the other hand, it stresses behavior and location of different stakeholders that induce hybrid patterns and landscapes that promote synergies and innovation such as in cluster and brown field developments. Within the framework of globalization, international division of labour, redraw on core activities and outsourcing, economic geography focuses on the role of locational and contextual ties for spatial embeddedness of companies, e.g. from a knowledge and innovation perspective.

The role of institutional actors and of policy agents in maintaining or promoting the economic attractiveness of (parts of) Flanders. The role of the region in the economic development policy and the competition between (sub)regions joins this perpsepctive. The institutional actors and especially those from public offices and development agencies are extra highlighted because of their stimulating and facilitating potentials on innovation processes and greening of the economy.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects

8. Tourism and leisure (TOURISM)

D. Vanneste and R. Govers

Per definition, tourism constitutes a multi- and interdisciplinary domain of research . Many issues and problems in tourism and leisure show social, economic, spatial and cultural aspects that have to be taken into account and dealt with as an entity.

The major research lines are: globalization, competitiveness and sustainable regional and urban tourism development. Applied, policy oriented research on tourism and leisure is particularly the task of the Flemish Policy Centre for Tourism and Recreation that is part of the Division of Geography. Research is oriented towards a methodological renewal for measuring and explaining  the economic impact of tourism as well as towards patterns in the behavior of tourists and visitors. Furthermore, social tourism, aging of the tourist population, second homes, cycling tourism, sustainability of (small scale) accommodation etc. are current research topics. Additional to the focus of the Policy Centre, topics such as place branding, the impact of Web 2.0 on the offer as well as on the demand side of tourism, networking and innovation in the tourism industry (especially among the SMEs) and special interest tourism such as battlefield tourism, industrial tourism, event tourism, heritage tourism (UNITWIN-UNESCO), sex tourism etc.  are highlighted.

The relationship between tourism and leisure on the one hand and sustainable development of tourism landscapes and sites on the other hand provoke research on the critical socio-economic and spatial conditions that favour a balance between tourism/leisure and the ecological carrying capacity of a site or area. The emphasis on a bottom-up approach for tourism development explains why community based tourism, participation of stakeholders in tourism management and development of user generated contents are strongly represented.

URL projects: http://ees.kuleuven.be/geography/projects