Methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of hydromorphological restoration of rivers in Romania
Methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of hydromorphological restoration of rivers in Romania
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Project number: PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0600
Project number: PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0600
Contract no.: TE 38 / 2022
Contract no.: TE 38 / 2022
Funding body: Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)
Funding body: Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)
Budget: 443 240 RON
Budget: 443 240 RON
Period: May 2022 - May 2024
Period: May 2022 - May 2024
Host: University of Bucharest
Host: University of Bucharest
Abstract
Abstract
In the context of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to reinstate a river’s good ecological status after being severely altered by human pressures, river restoration became a major topic in the last decade in the EU and the number of projects implemented especially on hydromorphology increased. However, it is still uncertain whether these restoration measures have positive cumulative effects, i.e. hydromorphological effectiveness, when compared to reference conditions and expectations of stakeholders, because of inconsistent methodologies. Therefore, the goal of our project is to develop a methodology to evaluate the hydromorphological effectiveness of river restoration based on standardized indicators, at various spatial scales, appropriate for implemented measures and for restored river types, weighting the expectations of actors, and adapted to case studies in Romania. This methodological protocol could become also a useful tool to create a strategy and make decisions in the practice of river restoration. Moreover, this kind of analysis could contribute at clarifying the issue of standards in environmental projects.
In the context of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to reinstate a river’s good ecological status after being severely altered by human pressures, river restoration became a major topic in the last decade in the EU and the number of projects implemented especially on hydromorphology increased. However, it is still uncertain whether these restoration measures have positive cumulative effects, i.e. hydromorphological effectiveness, when compared to reference conditions and expectations of stakeholders, because of inconsistent methodologies. Therefore, the goal of our project is to develop a methodology to evaluate the hydromorphological effectiveness of river restoration based on standardized indicators, at various spatial scales, appropriate for implemented measures and for restored river types, weighting the expectations of actors, and adapted to case studies in Romania. This methodological protocol could become also a useful tool to create a strategy and make decisions in the practice of river restoration. Moreover, this kind of analysis could contribute at clarifying the issue of standards in environmental projects.
Expected results
The project outputs are: an improved database on river restoration in Romania; a diachronic study that compares the restoration effects with reference conditions; a multi-criteria study that compares a restored river site with an altered river site; a methodological framework that evaluates the effectiveness of river restoration. As outcome, these results will improve knowledge on river restoration in Romania and highlight the major role of the hydromorphology as mean of achieving the ecological restoration. The project will open with an online event and will close with a workshop. The results of the project will be disseminated through scientific publications (2 articles in journals with visibility) and scientific conferences (3 international conferences), as well as a handbook for managers and students. The scientific information will be provided to the general public through the project website and social media. Through the project, the team will gain experience in river sciences (e.g, one master thesis prepared during the project).
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