Biogeomorphology is the study of the interaction between geomorphological features and organisms. It is a relatively new discipline within the study of water systems. this discipline combines ecology and geomorphology. Geomorphology is the study of landforms and their formation. Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. The environment can be defined as factors that affect organisms. These factors can be abiotic (physical, chemical), biotic (other organisms) or anthropogenic (humans).

In The Netherlands, biogeomorphology related research is executed in the field, in laboratory facilities and includes development of mathematical models. Main areas of research are:

• modelling-, field- and experimental study on biogeomorphology of river floodplains;
• fieldwork in the Western Scheldt on interaction of saltmarshes with currents, waves and sediment transport;
• fieldwork in the North Sea on relations between organisms and seabed;
• experiments on interactions of waves and currents with plants;
• model development on flow and wave patterns affected by vegetation;
• model development on sediment transport and sediment composition in relation to vegetation and biological (de)stabilizers of the sediment.

At present, about 6 PhD's and postdoc's are working in above research areas. Examples are a LOICZ project on interaction of vegetation and the physical environment and a NWO-STW project on sediment transport in relation to activity of benthic organisms. In a NWO-VICI project the influence of benthic organisms on the large scale sediment balance of the Wadden Sea is studied.

To provide networking and to stimulate interaction between researchers in the field of biogeomorphology, Delft University of Technology initiated the foundation of the Platform Biogeomorphology in December 2003. The platforms consists of members of many Dutch research institutes and end-users, including the NCK partners Delft University of Technology, WL | Delft Hydraulics, University of Twente, Netherlands Institute for Applied Geoscience TNO-NITG, the Netherlands Institute for Ecology-Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology NIOO-CEME and the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research NIOZ.

Within the platform, ongoing and new research issues are discussed from the viewpoint of potential cooperation in joint projects and sharing of knowledge and resources. The platform furthermore stimulates student teaching and training. To that end, the platform organizes thematic meetings, related to research issues in fresh, brackish and marine systems. Finally, the platform aims to point out the relevance of biogeomorphology to end-users and to define research needs to improve ecosystems management.

Further information about the Platform Biogeomorphology is available at www.biogeomorphology.org.