Integrating Ecosystem Function Into River Quality Assessment And Management
Informations
- Funding country
Europe- Acronym
- RIVFUNCTION
- Start date
- 4/1/2002
- End date
- 7/31/2005
- Budget
- 2,351,151 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP5 - Fifth Framework Programme | Grant | 4/1/2002 | 7/31/2005 | 2,351,151 EUR |
Abstract
The project sets out to elaborate a novel methodology for assessing the ecological status of European rivers in functional terms. This will be achieved by determining the performance of a key ecosystem-level process (litter decomposition). Field experiments on the effects of excessive nutrient loading (eutrophication) and modification of riparian vegetation will be carried out at 60-paired sites in ten Ecoregions. They will be complemented by experiments aiming at a mechanistic understanding of process alterations and a literature survey to synthesise available information on river functioning. The assessment tool will be built on this broad synthesis. Its developmental steps include the identification of a set of indicators and their critical thresholds, and definition of the technical specifications of standardised procedures. Results will be compared with those of standard biological assessment schemes. The tool will be elaborated by a mixed consortium of scientists and end-user representatives. It will be disseminated to the scientific community, water and environmental agencies, potential stakeholders, and interested parties.