Modelling water storage capacity in small artificial wetlands – now and in the future (master)

During the last centuries, anthropogenic pressures have changed the landscape considerably, wetlands have been drained to create agricultural land and streams have been straightened. This has decreased the natural buffering capacity in the landscape, a capacity that becomes increasingly important with climate change.  

Ponds and wetlands in the landscape have many different purposes e.g. (1) nutrient retention, (2) mitigating floods and droughts, (3) biodiversity and (4) recreation. Previous research has shown that wetlands can be important buffering features in the landscape (Åhlén et al. 2022). 

We have collected high-frequency water level data from 10 constructed wetlands (ponds) in the Mälardalen area during one extreme weather year (2023). Preliminary results show that the water level in the different ponds reacts differently to the weather. Some sites are stable both during dry and wet periods, while some have considerably varying water levels. The design of the pond affects both the storage capacity and likely nutrient retention. In this study, the water levels of ponds will be explored both under current and future climates. Future climate scenarios (RCP:s and extreme weather) will be modelled with PERSiST (Futter et al. 2014) a rainfall-runoff model that can be calibrated to water level. The study will result in advice on how the design affects the storage capacity as well as the buffering capacity of artificial ponds in the landscape. 

If you are interested in this topic, which is a project highly relevant to decision-makers and authorities pease contact Emma or Martyn.