Reviving Europe's rivers: Seven challenges in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to restore free‐flowing rivers

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(3)

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2024

Abstract The EU Nature Restoration Law represents an important opportunity for freshwater habitat restoration and, consequently, biodiversity protection. However, a number of challenges must be anticipated in its implementation, which may compromise success. Some aspects, particularly those relating to ecosystems, require more clarification. We use riverine ecosystems illustrate existing ambiguities the proposed legislation and potential consequences leaving these aspects open interpretation during implementation process. also discuss solutions problems could help ensure that law's objectives are met. argue river network structure connectivity dimensions, result into meta‐ecosystems, explicitly considered. For purpose, we ask clear definitions critical terms “free‐flowing rivers,” “barriers,” “reference areas.” In addition, recommend developing methods integrated assessment across networks. As key property this used prioritize actions increase length free‐flowing rivers. Adequate planning at larger spatial scales will benefit from meta‐ecosystem perspective accurate representation aquatic‐terrestrial linkages, significantly improve efficacy efforts. Furthermore, stakeholder citizen engagement offer opportunities local, national, European scales, should fostered inclusive decision‐making. conservation outlined here rivers, but they have implications other ecosystems. These considerations useful policymakers, conservationists, stakeholders involved related policy initiatives. This article is categorized under: Water Life > Stresses Pressures on Ecosystems Conservation, Management, Awareness Human Governance

Язык: Английский

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Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: Perspectives for critical zone science and research on socio‐ecosystems

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 8(4)

Опубликована: Май 4, 2021

Abstract Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) are now recognized to support specific freshwater biodiversity ecosystem services represent approximately half of the global river network, a fraction that is likely increase in context changes. Despite large research efforts on IRES during past few decades, there need for developing systemic approach considers their hydrological, hydrogeological, hydraulic, ecological, biogeochemical properties processes, as well interactions with human societies. Thus, we assert interdisciplinary promoted by critical zone sciences socio‐ecology relevant. These approaches rely infrastructure—Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) Long‐Term Socio‐Ecological Research (LTSER) platforms—that representative diversity (e.g., among climates or types geology. We illustrate this within French CZO LTSER, including socio‐ecosystems, detail IRES. networks also specialized long‐term observations required detect measure responses climate forcings despite delay buffering effects ecosystems. The LTSER platforms development innovative techniques data analysis methods can improve characterization IRES, particular monitoring flow regimes, groundwater‐surface water flow, biogeochemistry rewetting. provide scientific methodological perspectives which its associated infrastructure would relevant original insights help fill knowledge gaps about This article categorized under: Water Life > Stresses Pressures Ecosystems Science Hydrological Processes Conservation, Management, Awareness

Язык: Английский

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Aqua temporaria incognita

Hydrological Processes, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 34(26), С. 5704 - 5711

Опубликована: Ноя. 18, 2020

It has been 12 years since Bishop et al. (2008) wrote the Invited Commentary "Aqua Incognita: unknown headwaters".They highlighted that "In most regions, overwhelming majority of stream length lies beyond frontiers any systematic documentation and would have to be represented as a blank space on assessment map.This means for streams support aquatic life, understanding is lacking water quality, habitat, biota, specific discharge, or even how many kilometers such are there.This so vast it deserves name help us at least remember there.We propose calling 'Aqua Incognita'" (Bishop al., 2008; p. 1239).We continue agree with this statement need understand headwater better.In commentary, we want draw attention particular type less frequently examined: flow intermittently, i.e., Aqua Temporaria Incognita.Question 3 23 unsolved problems in hydrology (Blöschl 2019) focuses ephemeral dryland streams.We argue focus needs broadening temporary because they ubiquitous all climates.Headwater feed larger perennial particularly sensitive climate change other human influences (Jaeger 2014;Reynolds 2015;Pumo 2016).Their effective management protection, therefore, requires an both natural artificial causes intermittence.Temporary among hydrologically variable systems (Wohl, 2017).They include intermittent seasonally, only response rainfall snowmelt events, episodic contain flowing during

Язык: Английский

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Impact of long-term climate change on flow regime in a Mediterranean basin

Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 41, С. 101061 - 101061

Опубликована: Март 21, 2022

Catchment in Southern Italy The flow regime of intermittent rivers is very sensitive to anthropogenic pressures and climate change (CC). This study investigated the long-term impact CC on an river system, Celone River (S-E, Italy), under Mediterranean climate. trends precipitation temperature measured over past century were investigated, was characterized by using 27 indicators hydrological alteration. Climate projections for future (2030–2059) used predict potential regime. Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model run simulate hydrology current scenarios. A significant increase a reduction number days with temperatures below 0 °C recorded from 1958 2012. For future, predicted daily decrease rainfall (4–9%) as compared baseline (1980–2009). As result, reductions mean annual up 21% 39% historical period (1965–1996), respectively. It also maximum 90 consecutive 18%, extension no-flowing phase 12 days.

Язык: Английский

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Low-cost stage-camera system for continuous water-level monitoring in ephemeral streams

Hydrological Sciences Journal, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 67(9), С. 1439 - 1448

Опубликована: Май 18, 2022

Monitoring ephemeral and intermittent streams is a major challenge in hydrology. On-site inspections may be impractical difficult-to-access environments. Motivated by the latest advancements digital cameras computer vision techniques, this work, we describe development application of stage-camera system to monitor water level ungauged headwater streams. The encompasses consumer-grade wildlife camera with near-infrared (NIR) night capabilities white pole that serves as reference object collected images. feasibility approach demonstrated through set benchmark experiments performed natural settings. Maximum mean absolute errors between data are approximately equal 2 cm worst scenario corresponds severe storms intense rainfall fog. Our preliminary results encouraging support scalability future implementations wide range

Язык: Английский

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Analysing hydrological and sediment transport regime in two Mediterranean intermittent rivers

CATENA, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 196, С. 104865 - 104865

Опубликована: Сен. 9, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Spatial and temporal patterns of flow intermittency in a Mediterranean basin using the SWAT+ model

Hydrological Sciences Journal, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 68(2), С. 276 - 289

Опубликована: Дек. 6, 2022

Non-perennial rivers and streams are ubiquitous. Nonetheless, our understanding of their hydrological patterns is minimal. Hydrological models powerful tools to study characterize patterns, but few can simulate extremes such as non-flow events. We aimed capture accurately the flow intermittency spatial temporal in a Mediterranean river basin with restructured Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+). calibrated model using multi-objective optimization algorithm data from two gauging stations mainstream for period 2000–2020. Furthermore, we validated simulations against stage series at 14 stations. The results indicated that simulates low flows period. observed significant variation both space time remarkable inter-annual variability. also an increase over

Язык: Английский

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Ecological flow in southern Europe: Status and trends in non-perennial rivers

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 342, С. 118097 - 118097

Опубликована: Май 15, 2023

The concept of environmental flows (E-Flows) describes the streamflow that is necessary to maintain river ecosystems. Although a large number methods have been developed, delay was recorded in implementing E-Flows non-perennial rivers. general aim paper analyse criticalities and current state implementation rivers southern Europe. specific objectives were (i) European Union (EU) national legislation on E-Flows, (ii) methodologies currently adopted for setting EU Member States (MSs) Mediterranean Region (Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, France, Cyprus, Malta). From analysis legislations, it possible acknowledge step forward toward regulatory unification at level, subject more generally protection aquatic definition most countries, has abandoned idea regime constant minimal flow, but recognizes importance biological, chemical-physical aspects connected it. through review case studies, one can surmise science still an emerging discipline. limited availability hydrological, hydraulic, biological data as well restricted economic resources allocated managing are main causes MSs. results present study may contribute E-Flow

Язык: Английский

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Setting an environmental flow regime under climate change in a data-limited Mediterranean basin with temporary river

Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 52, С. 101698 - 101698

Опубликована: Фев. 9, 2024

Catchment in Southern Italy. Mediterranean waterways are commonly non-perennial; they vulnerable to climate change (CC). Their management is particularly complex due limited data availability. This work aims develop a methodology for setting an Environmental Flow regime (E-Flows) temporary river (Locone, Italy) under availability and CC. As observed long-term time series of streamflow natural conditions were not available, the Soil Water Assessment Tool model (SWAT+) was applied simulate daily baseline period (1980–2010) future (2020–2050) based on projections, respectively. A specific workflow developed calibration focusing low flows. The hydrological characterized by means Indicators Hydrological Alteration (IHAs), whereas Range Variability Approach (RVA) define E-Flows. basin experiencing statistically significant increase air temperatures from 1971 2020, which also predicted continue future. Consequently, average annual monthly winter spring expected decrease. calibration, multi-objective evaluation, improved low-flow simulation. detected differences IHAs periods should be considered water when E-Flows rivers.

Язык: Английский

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Integrating spatially-and temporally-heterogeneous data on river network dynamics using graph theory

iScience, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 26(8), С. 107417 - 107417

Опубликована: Июль 23, 2023

The study of non-perennial streams requires extensive experimental data on the temporal evolution surface flow presence across different nodes channel networks. However, consistency and homogeneity available datasets is threatened by empirical burden required to map stream network expansions contractions. Here, we developed a data-driven, graph-theory framework aimed at representing hierarchical structuring dynamics (i.e., order node activation/deactivation during expansion/retraction) through directed acyclic graph. method enables estimation configuration active portion based limited number observed nodes, can be utilized combine with resolutions spatial coverage. A proof-of-concept application seasonally-dry catchment in central Italy demonstrated ability approach reduce effort for monitoring efficiently extrapolate observations space time.

Язык: Английский

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