NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, is the national oceanographic institute and the Netherlands’ centre of expertise for ocean, sea and coast. We advance fundamental understanding of marine systems, the way they change, the role they play in climate and biodiversity, and how they may provide sustainable solutions to society in the future.
Cordgrass that establishes itself on virgin soil on the coast, tries to avoid the risks of being washed away by forming small clusters of plants. That is shown by the research of coastal ecologist Clea van de Ven.
Worldwide, coastal areas are squeezed between a rising sea level on one end and human structures on the other. The distance between a sandy coastline and the first human structures averages less than 400 meters around the world.
An international research team uncovered a new and easy method to predict the effectiveness of these natural barriers during extreme weather events. This is an important new insight and tool for coastal managers and policymakers.
Our science is conducted in four scientific departments;. Three of them are area oriented: estuaries and delta areas, coastal seas and open oceans. Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry conducts science in all three area types.