Work packages
WP1 – Measuring and monitoring
Measuring and monitoring (objective 1-2) of subsidence rates at local and regional scales: utilizing InSAR satellite-based radar technology at high spatio-temporal resolutions and integrate this with geophysical modelling techniques, to disentangle total ground movement into shallow and deep and anthropogenic and natural contributions, including sea-level rise related subsidence components. InSAR techniques are developed to monitor soft soil subsidence in agricultural and urban areas, with disentangled signals of groundwater, salt and hydrocarbon extractions (inverse modelling) and glacioand hydro-isostasy (GIA modelling, gravimetry, background regional relative sea-level rise).
WP2 – Mechanisms and GHG emissions
Mechanisms and GHG emissions (objective 1-2-3): unravelling, understanding and quantifying the interacting subsidence processes such as peat oxidation with associated GHG-emissions, compaction, shrinkage, creep, and examining the environmental impact of subsidence mitigation measures. It includes parameterization and calibration of process models used to analyze and forecast subsidence.
WP3 – Impact analysis
WP 3 focuses on the physical and economic impacts of land subsidence. It works on numerical model development and (big) data analyses, including geomodelling, material science research and economic modelling. It will provide spatial forecasts for subsidence under different scenarios, develop new methods to estimate subsidence-related damages and translate physical impacts into costs and benefits, including the evaluation of different mitigation options. In this way, it bridges the gap between knowledge of impacts of land subsidence and decision-making.
WP4 – Measures and governance approaches
WP4 focuses on measures to deal with subsidence: technical, governance or legal measures to decrease the rate of subsidence (mitigation), to adapt to its consequences (adaptation) or to compensate those who suffer from subsidence-related damage (compensation). We study the usefulness, necessity and feasibility of these measures. In addition, the governance and legal research will provide a bird’s eye view: what perspectives on how to address subsidence do different actors hold; to what extent is decision making facilitated through usable knowledge; and how are different possibly competing interests taken into consideration? Technology, governance and law are all required to ensure that measures are both legitimate and effective.
WP5 – Knowledge utilization and entrepreneurship
Knowledge utilization and entrepreneurship: translation of scientific results to practice in close cooperation with knowledge-users and entrepreneurs; design and development of innovative mitigation and management strategies under different scenarios of socio-economic and climatic circumstances; facilitating optimal deployment of knowledge, subsidence forecasts and potential measure sets.
