Researcher in fluvial geomorphology with focus on rivers and streams.
My research is focused on how streams in northern Sweden form and develop. I am interested both in how physical proceses like sediment (e.g., sand, gravel, cobbles) transport and how the ecological processes and characteristics recover after restoration. Many streams in northern Sweden that were impacted by timber-floating through channelization have been restored during the past 10-20 years. Since restoration is a disturbance in itself, it can take time for aquatic and riparian organisms to recover. Part of my research examines which physical factors, such as the local geomorphology, geomorphic complexity, and larger landscape-scale factors, affect how the ecology of streams recover after restoration. Because we know so little about how rapid sections in tributaries to large rivers in northern Sweden that have abundant glacial legacy sediment "should look like" (because nearly all rapids were channelized), I am also addressing questions in my research about how these rapids form and develop. This is done through a flume experiment where I can manipulate the channel slope and water discharge and easily measure the channel morphology, through measuring sediment transport in the field, and using remote analyses. To measure sediment transport in the field I use a technique where I insert small radio tags into rocks that are placed into streams. In addition to the research focused on streams in northern Sweden, I am also interested in how ecosystem engineers affects streams, such as beavers and vegetation that affect channel form and physical processes.