Manuel Herzog Research

The research project investigates the dynamics of complex mega dunes, with a particular focus on star dunes in the Namib Sand Sea. Although star dunes are among the largest dune forms worldwide, their formation and evolution remain insufficiently understood. Recent studies suggest that these dunes are more active and younger than previously assumed and may increasingly threaten infrastructure and livelihoods as climate change drives the expansion of sand seas.

The project aims to quantitatively analyse the aeolian processes and movement patterns of star dunes. To achieve this, repeated high-resolution 3D laser scanning using UAVs is combined with local and regional wind data. This innovative monitoring approach enables unprecedented spatial and temporal analysis of surface and volume changes, providing new insights into sand transport processes and dune dynamics.

The resulting data will improve existing models of dune development and contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling star dune growth. In the long term, the project will support hazard assessment and improve predictions of future dune landscape evolution under changing climatic conditions.

• Capturing the dune surface using UAV laser scanning at two timescales (daily to weekly and bi-annually) for identifying surface processes through volume changes and vegetation structure as well as deriving spatiotemporally variable surface dynamics by newly developed algorithms for topographic data with near-continuous temporal resolution.
• Characterizing aeolian dynamics, particularly on steep slopes and investigating boundary conditions (height, grain size, slope angle, wind speed and wind direction), at which sand is transported over star dune crests (or not).
• Comparing identified surface changes and associated processes of mega dune dynamics to hypothesized mechanisms in unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.