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School of Geography and the Environment

University of Oxford
School of Geography and the Environment

 School of Geography and the Environment

Dr Giles Wiggs

Academic Profile

Giles Wiggs is a desert geomorphologist specialising in the physical processes controlling aeolian sediment transport and landform dynamics. His particular interests include the impact of environmental (including climatic) change on sand dune dynamics, desert dust emission and agricultural wind erosion. This involves using fieldwork, wind tunnel modelling and mathematical models to determine the role of vegetation, moisture, topography and human activity in the mobilisation of aeolian sediment. With a specific interest in determining thresholds of erosion, his current research focus is on the role of turbulence in the aeolian sedimentary system and successful integration of small-scale process research to regional and global environmental modelling.

His research is international with projects spanning Africa, Central Asia, Middle East and Australia. He has led international research teams funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK), South African National Science Foundation, Medecins sans Frontieres and the British Council with keynote papers delivered at several international conferences.

He undertook his BSc and PhD degrees at University College London. Formerly a Reader in Gemorphology at the University of Sheffield, he is now Reader in Aeolian Geomorphology at the School of Geography and the Environment.

Current Research

1) Dune dynamics and processes of aeolian sediment transport

My primary research focus is in aeolian geomorphology, in particular the understanding of processes that lead to the formation of aeolian landforms and the impact of process dynamics on the long-term development of aeolian systems. My major research projects are funded by the NERC, Royal Society, BGRG and the British Council and are internationally collaborative and multi-disciplinary. My research in this theme is advancing at a variety of scales linking short-term processes to the long-term development of aeolian systems. Recent investigations include studies of the development and dynamics of interdune systems in the aeolian landscape; the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for investigations of airflow over dunes; field and wind tunnel modelling of the impact of topography on aeolian sedimentary dynamics; and the role of moisture in determining thresholds of aeolian entrainment. My continuing research focus in this theme involves the roles of turbulence and vegetation in aeolian system processes.

One of the hazards of desert driving... Copyright G. Wiggs.

One of the hazards of desert driving... (© G. Wiggs)

The role of turbulence in aeolian system processes: this NERC-funded project employing a D.Phil. student focuses on the role of small-scale, high-frequency turbulent eddies on sand transport. Fieldwork based in Namibia has highlighted the interactions and feedback mechanisms operating between dune morphology, turbulence and sand transport. Significantly, the individual turbulent wind structures responsible for sand entrainment have been identified and the response of the sand surface to instantaneous peaks in wind energy indicates that thresholds for erosion may be far lower than considered in contemporary sand transport models.

Measuring high frequency wind turbulence using sonic anemometers on a barchan dune in Namibia. Copyright G. Wiggs.

Measuring high frequency wind turbulence using sonic anemometers on a barchan dune in Namibia. (© G. Wiggs)

The role of vegetation in dune system dynamics: the geomorphological role of vegetation is a key issue in studies of dryland aeolian activity. An understanding of its role is central to the determination of landform development and stability in debates regarding the impact of climatic change on desert dynamics and potential future expansion. Process work is continuing investigating the impact of vegetation in determining thresholds of sediment erosion and dune movement and a recent focus (published in Nature) has been on the application of general circulation models (GCMs) to the prediction of future dunefield activity in Africa. more...

The vegetated dunefields of the SW Kalahari are often considered as relicts, but climate change may have profound impact on dune dynamics. Copyright G. Wiggs.

The vegetated dunefields of the SW Kalahari are often considered as relicts, but climate change may have profound impact on dune dynamics. (© G. Wiggs)

2) Wind erosion and the dynamics of desert dust

Windborne dust from dryland sources is a vital component in models that predict our future climate as it has a role in ocean fertilisation and reflection and absorption of solar radiation. However, our understanding of aeolian dust dynamics is rudimentary and research into the sources and controls on dust emission is a principal scientific challenge. My research employs both a field and modelling component that focuses on establishing the climatic and terrestrial (including human impact) conditions necessary for significant dust emission.

Identifying thresholds for agricultural wind erosion: this SANRF-funded project in collaboration with South African colleagues focuses on extensive South African croplands that lie at the climatic limit for rain-fed agriculture. Models of future climate change in the region predict an environmental drying that will have profound consequences for human activities. The research employs a field-based approach in identifying the current controls on agricultural wind erosion. Once quantified, these controls will be used to model future erosion conditions and agricultural prospects.

Determining relations between land use and wind erosion on the high veld in South Africa. Copyright G. Wiggs.

Determining relations between land use and wind erosion on the high veld in South Africa. (© G. Wiggs)

Dynamics of aeolian dust hazards in dryland Central Asia: based around the drying and shrinking Aral Sea, several projects funded by Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Royal Society are investigating the environmental consequences of enhanced aeolian dust erosion. In collaboration with colleagues at Nottingham (UK) and the Academy of Sciences (Tashkent) investigations have focused on obtaining fundamental physical data on the nature, sources and sinks of atmospheric dust. In particular efforts have been made to determine the relative importance of atmospheric and terrestrial controls on the dust and also the impact of the dust on the respiratory health of the local population.

A fishing vessel trapped on the former bed of the Aral Sea. The drying of the Sea has exposed sediment that is now susceptible to erosion and formation of dust storms. Copyright G. Wiggs.

A fishing vessel trapped on the former bed of the Aral Sea. The drying of the Sea has exposed sediment that is now susceptible to erosion and formation of dust storms. (© G. Wiggs)

Selected Research Projects (since 2001)
  • None currently listed

Teaching

Undergraduate teaching

Dr Wiggs teaches the Preliminary Examination lecture courses on Earth Observation and Application in Geography for the Geographical Techniques core course and Geomorphology for the Earth System Processes core course. He also lectures on the Geographical Environment: Physical core course and the Dryland Environments special subject for the Final Honours School.

Current graduate students include:
  • Ian Ashpole
    Towards a more accurate simulation of the effects of small-scale variability on large-scale dust emissions
D.Phil. students successfully completing since 2001:
  • Corinne Weaver (2009)
    Turbulent flow systems and dune dynamics.

Selected Publications

Selected previous publications: