Related EU Projects

Diffuse losses of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural areas contribute significantly to eutrophication of waterways, lakes, estuaries and coastal zones and water pollution is a growing and serious problem across much of the world. The role of wetlands in improving surface water quality is well known. The capacity of wetlands to improve water quality is dependent on a large number of parameters that have been widely studied, such as vegetation cover or type, water retention time, climatic variables, and also their size and spatial arrangement in the watershed. However, the question where wetlands should be located in agricultural catchments to achieve the most effective nutrient removal at the catchment level has not been clearly resolved.

This project aims to determine the optimal sizing and location for wetlands in agricultural catchments to reduce nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loads in catchments. The study consists of two parts performed on study areas with different landscape and climatic conditions. Firstly, potentially suitable wetland restoration/creation sites are identified by using high quality data and geospatial analysis techniques. Secondly, evaluation of the effectiveness of wetland nitrogen and phosphorus removal from surface waters at various potential locations indicated by the geospatial analyses under different hydrological regimes and land use scenarios will be done by using modelling with CLUES (Catchment Land Use for Environmental Sustainability model) and SWAT (Soil and Water and Assessment Tool). Using and integrating different datasets and modelling approaches also plays an important role in the study.

Uuemaa, E.; Palliser, C.; Hughes, A. Tanner, C.(2018). Effectiveness of a Natural Headwater Wetland for Reducing Agricultural Nitrogen Loads. Water, 10 (3), 1−17.w10030287.

Kmoch, A.; Uuemaa, E.; Klug, H.; Cameron, S. G.; (2018). Enhancing Location-Related Hydrogeological Knowledge. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7 (132, 4).10.3390/ijgi7040132.

Pärn, J.; Henine, H.; Kasak, K.; Kauer, K.; Sohar, K.; Tournebize, J.; Uuemaa, E.; Välik, K.; Mander, Ü.; (2018). Nitrogen and phosphorus discharge from small agricultural catchments predicted from land use and hydroclimate. Land Use Policy, 75, 260−268.10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.03.048.

Uuemaa, E.; Hughes, O. A.; Tanner, C. C.; (2018). Identifying Feasible Locations for Wetland Creation or Restoration in Catchments by Suitability Modelling Using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Water, 10 (4), 1−15.w10040464.

Mõisja, K.; Oja,T.; Uuemaa, E.; Hastings, J. T. (2017). Completeness and classification correctness of features on topographic maps: An analysis of the Estonian basic map. Transactions in GIS, 30(5), 954-968, DOI:10.1111/tgis.12257  

Aavik, T.; Talve, T.; Thetloff, M.; Uuemaa,E.; Oja, T. (2017). Genetic consequences of landscape change for rare endemic plants – A case study of Rhinanthus osiliensis. Biological Conservation, 210,125−135, 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.04.016. 1.1. 

Uuemaa E., Oja T. (2017) Mapping the Abstractions of Forest Landscape Patterns. In: Remmel T., Perera A. (eds) Mapping Forest Landscape Patterns. Springer, New York, NY, doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7331-6_6

Mõisja, K.; Uuemaa, E.; Oja T.(2016). Integrating small-scale landscape elements into land use/cover: The impact on landscape metrics’ values. Ecological Indicators, 67, 714−722,10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.03.033.

OpenNESS aims to translate the concepts of Natural Capital (NC) and Ecosystem Services (ES) into operational frameworks that provide tested, practical and tailored solutions for integrating ES into land, water and urban management and decision-making. It examines how the concepts link to, and support, wider EU economic, social and environmental policy initiatives and scrutinizes the potential and limitations of the concepts of ES and NC. OpenNESS works in close cooperation with decision makers and other stakeholders.

The specific aims of OpenNESS are:

- To advance conceptual understanding of ES and NC and provide operational frameworks for application of the concepts in real-world management and decision-making situations

- To examine how existing and forthcoming EU regulatory frameworks can enhance or restore the benefits derived from ES and NC using multi-scale scenario approaches

- To develop and refine approaches for mapping and modelling the biophysical control of ES that can be used to assess the effectiveness of mechanisms, instruments and best management practices for sustaining ES delivery in the face of multiple uncertain drivers whilst conserving biodiversity

- To develop hybrid methodologies that address trade-offs, synergies and conflicting interests and values in the use of ES through a combination of monetary, non-monetary and deliberative methods within multi-criteria and Bayesian approaches to decision support

- To apply the concepts and methods developed and refined in the project to concrete, place-based case studies in a range of social-ecological systems with stakeholders and analyse the implications of local, regional and EU level decisions on the ES flows and use in other parts of the world

- To translate the results into policy recommendations and integrate the outputs in a Menu of Multi-Scale Solutions and associated datasets that are available for ES users and managers as well as decision-makers

- To disseminate the results and to promote and maintain science-policy dialogue on the use of the concepts of ES and NC in sustainable land, water and urban management.

OPENNESS Library: http://www.openness-project.eu/library

OPENNESS peer-reviewed articles: http://www.openness-project.eu/library/articles

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES reference book: http://www.openness-project.eu/library/reference-book

The OPENNESS glossary: http://www.openness-project.eu/sites/default/files/OpenNESS_Glossary_final.pdf 

The WETWIN approach for stopping and reversing the ongoing degradation of wetlands was based on the four basic premises of wetland management: wise use, adaptive management, integrated water resource management, and participation of local communities and stakeholders. Seven wetlands were investigated from Africa, Europe and South America.

WETWIN researchers identified a range of problems at the case study sites. These included desiccation and terrestrialisation due to reduced inflows, encroachment and disturbance, pollution and diseases like malaria from mosquito vectors in the tropical wetland habitat. Moreover, the high nutrient content of these wastewaters, plus the nutrient-rich runoff waters coming from the agricultural lands result in eutrophication problems.

Involvement of stakeholders from the case study sites played a crucial role in the project throughout. The WETWIN project applied an ecosystem services approach for characterisation of the natural and socioeconomic statuses of wetlands. Characterisation was followed by the identification of major environmental and livelihood issues/problems at the wetlands. Cause–effect mechanisms behind the problems were explored with the help of the driving-forces, state, impact and responses (DSIR) methodology.

WETWIN researchers were particularly concerned about reducing vulnerability in the wetlands in terms of external impact (EI) and adaptive capacity (AC). Their aim was to apply appropriate management interventions on a local to large scale. These actions could turn the state of the wetlands, and also that of the basin, from vulnerable to resilient.

Wetlands International is a non-profit organisation for conservation of wetlands. They aim to organise several dissemination activities that may include WETWIN factsheets in French, training materials and guidelines, and a brochure on health impact. Further development of a sophisticated model system for the Inner Niger Delta (IND) leading to a high-resolution digital terrain model is also planned.

The outcomes of WETWIN are expected to enhance the recognition of the functions and services that wetland ecosystems provide on local and on river basin scales. The alarming messages of the project about the degradation and vulnerability of wetlands will help to raise awareness in politicians, managers and stakeholders. These interventions will bring conservation, restoration and sustainable management of wetlands more into the limelight.

WETWIN leaflet: http://www.wetwin.eu/downloads/130109_WETwin_leaflet_final_v3.pdf

Open Access publications:

Ecological niche models for the evaluation of management options in an urban floodplain—conservation vs. restoration purposes - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S146290111200144X?via%3Dihub

Quantifying ecosystem service trade-offs: The case of an urban floodplain in Vienna, Austria - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479712003118?via%3Dihub

The project 'Adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on European freshwater ecosystems' (REFRESH) had three overarching goals. The first was to increase understanding of how freshwater ecosystems will respond to changes caused by climate, land use, water use and pollution over the next 50-60 years. Additional goals involved translating this knowledge into a form that can be used by water managers and ensuring the uptake of results by target stakeholders.

Consortium members focused on three principal climate-related and interacting pressures: increasing temperature, changes in water levels and flow regimes, and excess nutrients. The work was conducted primarily in lowland rivers, lakes and wetlands as they often pose the greatest challenges in complying with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Habitats Directive.

Studies of streams provided a basis for applying knowledge on the effects of climate change and land-use change on the structure, functioning and biodiversity in rivers. They also provided insights into the effectiveness of adaption and mitigation methods to restore rivers.

Scientists found that shading beside streams can help offset the impact of increased temperature and influence stream biodiversity. Increased winter flooding was found to have a longer-term effect on river vegetation. A new method was also devised for calculating net primary production from midday oxygen saturation.

Stagnation and drought experiments provided insights into the role of low flow and drought in rivers and potential losses to the ecosystem. The experiments provided thresholds for low flow and drought in Atlantic lowland rivers. River flow and oxygen appeared vital for rivers and affect the functioning of the ecosystem.

Good oxygen regimes and healthy flow conditions help ensure the objectives of the EU's WFD and Habitats Directive are met. Therefore, specific adaptive measures were evaluated and used to minimise the expected adverse effects of climate change on freshwater quantity, quality and biodiversity.

The work carried out by REFRESH will improve understanding of freshwater ecosystems. This will enable them to be restored to good ecological health, support key species and mitigate the effects of climate variation. REFRESH will therefore help safeguard Europe's freshwater ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.

Project final report: https://cordis.europa.eu/docs/results/244/244121/final1-refresh-final-report-m1-m48.pdf

Refresh publications (136 papers): http://www.refresh.ucl.ac.uk/biblio

Refresh deliverables: http://www.refresh.ucl.ac.uk/DeliverablesTable

The objective of the project SWOS is to develop a monitoring and information service focussing on wetland ecosystems. Globally, wetlands are the ecosystems with the highest rate of loss. This is alarming, considering their significance as biodiversity hotspots and ecosystems with a central role in the water cycle, including improving water quality and reducing water scarcity, in climate regulation and the economic benefit gained from using their services.
A key limitation to their more effective conservation, sustainable management and restoration is the missing knowledge underpinning the consideration of wetlands in the implementation of key policy areas. Under the Biodiversity Strategy, Member States in Europe have committed to the mapping and assessment of ecosystem services (MAES); this provides a key instrument for an improved integration of wetlands in European policy.

SWOS is taking full advantage of the new and freely available data from the Sentinel satellites and integrating results from the ESA Globwetland and other projects. Production of maps and indicators, based on historical and current observations allows the assessment of biodiversity and monitoring of dynamic changes in an unmatched temporal and spatial resolution.

The SWOS Portal provides a unique entry point to locate, access and connect existing information. The SWOS Software toolbox GEOclassifier is an easy to use software toolbox to prepare maps and calculate indicators. With its Portal and toolbox SWOS contributes to establishing a Global Wetland Observing System (GWOS) (requested by Ramsar) by delivering the initial infrastructure.

User organisations working at all levels from local to global belong to the SWOS project team and build, together with external user organisations, the key user group of SWOS. User needs were captured through user requirements questionnaires and follow-up discussions and translated into technical requirements for the definition of SWOS products (maps and indicators).
The services that SWOS provides facilitate local and EU monitoring tasks and support international reporting obligations. SWOS positions Europe in a leading role within GEO, in particular via the new GEO-Wetlands initiative. SWOS took a leading role from the beginning and is the main contributor.
The Service Cases, developed in SWOS, put the SWOS into practice, test and validate the service and demonstrate how to use and benefit from it. The direct involvement of users ensures the usability and acceptance of the service, including harmonization with related activities, which provides a long-term impact.

Newsletter 1: http://swos-service.eu/2016/10/04/newsletter-1/

Newsletter 2: http://swos-service.eu/2017/02/07/swos-newsletter-2-improving-wetlands-monitoring-assessment/

Newsletter 3: http://swos-service.eu/2017/09/27/swos-newsletter-3/

Newsletter 4: http://swos-service.eu/2018/04/05/swos-newsletter-4/

Guidelines for the delimitation of wetland ecosystems: http://swos-service.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SWOS_Wetlands-delimitation-guidelines_FINAL_v1.1.pdf

The wetland ecosystems in MAES nomenclature: http://swos-service.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SWOS_MAES-wetland-component-v1.2.pdf

MAES Service Case: Wetland ecosystem condition mapping: http://swos-service.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MAES_WetlandEcosystemCondition_v1.01.pdf