Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DANUBE4all (RESTORATION OF THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN WATERS FOR ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE FROM MOUNTAINS TO COAST)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2024-06-30
Over one million barriers on Europe’s rivers have resulted in extensive loss of river connectivity and 70-90 % of Europe’s floodplain areas are ecologically degraded due to human modifications. Despite having an ambitious EU policy framework in place, implementation of fresh and transitional water ecosystem restoration is lagging behind. Some of the main reasons for the delay are the result of a lack of knowledge, awareness and participation of local people and business actors.
The vision of DANUBE4all is to jointly work on sustainable and interdisciplinary restoration pathways for the Danube River Basin (DRB). This will build on an underlying science-to-people approach, which actively integrates inhabitants’ interests and empowers stakeholders, from local communities, SMEs, investors, policy makers and the business sector. The overall aim is the combined societal co-creation and science-based development of a Danube Basin Restoration Action Plan. To attain the overall aim and to build a solid basis, the project team will:
I. produce a comprehensive scientific knowledge base. DANUBE4all will identify, implement and upscale effective and profitable Win2 nature-based solutions (NBS) as restoration measures to enhance the free-flowing status of the river network.
II. implement demonstration activities and business cases at 3 sites, provide GIS and Citizen Science tools for upscaling innovative Win2 NBS restoration activities to 10 Danube Synergy Sites and to the whole DRB.
III. mobilize citizens for river stewardship and stimulate economic benefits by business cases to stimulate and boost future implementation of Win2 NBS measures.
IV. transfer the outcomes, knowledge and tools gained in the DRB to 5 Associated Regions via concrete steps with replication roadmaps for restoration action.
Building upon this, a Danube Basin Restoration Action Plan will be developed. This will be an ecologically, economically and science-based plan, including individuals and communities through citizens engagement activities and Citizen Science. This DANUBE4all lighthouse mission approach will be replicable and scalable from the DRB to Associated Regions and other river basins across Europe.
The vision of DANUBE4all is to jointly work on sustainable and interdisciplinary restoration pathways for the Danube River Basin (DRB). This will build on an underlying science-to-people approach, which actively integrates inhabitants’ interests and empowers stakeholders, from local communities, SMEs, investors, policy makers and the business sector. The overall aim is the combined societal co-creation and science-based development of a Danube Basin Restoration Action Plan. To attain the overall aim and to build a solid basis, the project team will:
I. produce a comprehensive scientific knowledge base. DANUBE4all will identify, implement and upscale effective and profitable Win2 nature-based solutions (NBS) as restoration measures to enhance the free-flowing status of the river network.
II. implement demonstration activities and business cases at 3 sites, provide GIS and Citizen Science tools for upscaling innovative Win2 NBS restoration activities to 10 Danube Synergy Sites and to the whole DRB.
III. mobilize citizens for river stewardship and stimulate economic benefits by business cases to stimulate and boost future implementation of Win2 NBS measures.
IV. transfer the outcomes, knowledge and tools gained in the DRB to 5 Associated Regions via concrete steps with replication roadmaps for restoration action.
Building upon this, a Danube Basin Restoration Action Plan will be developed. This will be an ecologically, economically and science-based plan, including individuals and communities through citizens engagement activities and Citizen Science. This DANUBE4all lighthouse mission approach will be replicable and scalable from the DRB to Associated Regions and other river basins across Europe.
Activities have started in all WPs with the first achievements laying the scientific foundations for further work. In WP2 key activities included the identification of indicators to assess river connectivity, developing methods for evaluating it, and collecting data on barriers and restoration measures. WP2 also explored innovative solutions for improving connectivity, including Earth Observation techniques and hydrodynamic modelling. First findings were compiled in the "Catalogue of Action Options to Restore River Connectivity in the DRB". This includes a collection of around 60 measures and their fundamental applications, accompanied by practical information.
Within WP3, a gap analysis was conducted to assess the availability of data on riverine fish species in the DRB with the aim to close gaps in biodiversity monitoring and guide restoration actions. Data were collected from various sources, including reports, scientific papers, and surveys. A new data cleaning method was developed, providing the input for a species distribution model (SDM) that has been used to create a spatial distribution of occurrence for 58 fish species. The project also launched a transboundary biodiversity monitoring scheme, collaborating with stakeholders and contributing to the upcoming Joint Danube Survey 2025.
Looking at the economic side of River Restoration, WP4 focused on assessing around 60 river restoration measures to determine their effectiveness as NBS. Multifunctionality has been parameterized by the novel Average Ecosystem Service Support Index (AESSI), including an index on the number of Win-Win-Successes. The results were compiled into a manual. Furthermore, a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the economic benefits of NbS, including cost-benefit analysis and Input-Output Analysis, has been developed.
WP5 has identified and connected key actors, created a comprehensive database, and launched the Healthy Danube Network. Environmental education programs, such as participatory theatre and exhibitions, and the Blue Danube Travelling Exhibition have been developed and/or have started. A river walk in Romania and Water Sport Clean Up events to monitor pollution have been planned and are upcoming. Additionally, a Citizen Science Toolbox is under development to support restoration, involving innovative monitoring tools and workshops at Demo Sites.
In WP6 work on all three demonstration sites has started successfully: For the Upper Danube, discussions and site visits took place to plan restoration actions at Paradeisinsel, Austria, with local communities involved in co-creation efforts. The technical plans are complete, with implementation set to begin after final approvals. At the middle Danube Site, restoration plans have been adjusted due to permit delays. Preparations are ongoing, including material estimates and participatory approaches to engage local stakeholders. For the Danube Delta a "design-thinking" approach is being used to address complex ecological challenges, focusing on improving lagoon connectivity. Stakeholders have recognised the environmental issues and potential solutions. Roadmaps for the replication of solutions in associated regions are being developed now.
WP7 has selected the ESRI GIS suite for developing a screening tool to support restoration in the DRB. A prototype was demonstrated, featuring interactive elements and classification methods for restoration measures. Efforts are ongoing to ensure uniformity in GIS data across work packages, with a focus on using ICPDR data.
Within WP3, a gap analysis was conducted to assess the availability of data on riverine fish species in the DRB with the aim to close gaps in biodiversity monitoring and guide restoration actions. Data were collected from various sources, including reports, scientific papers, and surveys. A new data cleaning method was developed, providing the input for a species distribution model (SDM) that has been used to create a spatial distribution of occurrence for 58 fish species. The project also launched a transboundary biodiversity monitoring scheme, collaborating with stakeholders and contributing to the upcoming Joint Danube Survey 2025.
Looking at the economic side of River Restoration, WP4 focused on assessing around 60 river restoration measures to determine their effectiveness as NBS. Multifunctionality has been parameterized by the novel Average Ecosystem Service Support Index (AESSI), including an index on the number of Win-Win-Successes. The results were compiled into a manual. Furthermore, a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the economic benefits of NbS, including cost-benefit analysis and Input-Output Analysis, has been developed.
WP5 has identified and connected key actors, created a comprehensive database, and launched the Healthy Danube Network. Environmental education programs, such as participatory theatre and exhibitions, and the Blue Danube Travelling Exhibition have been developed and/or have started. A river walk in Romania and Water Sport Clean Up events to monitor pollution have been planned and are upcoming. Additionally, a Citizen Science Toolbox is under development to support restoration, involving innovative monitoring tools and workshops at Demo Sites.
In WP6 work on all three demonstration sites has started successfully: For the Upper Danube, discussions and site visits took place to plan restoration actions at Paradeisinsel, Austria, with local communities involved in co-creation efforts. The technical plans are complete, with implementation set to begin after final approvals. At the middle Danube Site, restoration plans have been adjusted due to permit delays. Preparations are ongoing, including material estimates and participatory approaches to engage local stakeholders. For the Danube Delta a "design-thinking" approach is being used to address complex ecological challenges, focusing on improving lagoon connectivity. Stakeholders have recognised the environmental issues and potential solutions. Roadmaps for the replication of solutions in associated regions are being developed now.
WP7 has selected the ESRI GIS suite for developing a screening tool to support restoration in the DRB. A prototype was demonstrated, featuring interactive elements and classification methods for restoration measures. Efforts are ongoing to ensure uniformity in GIS data across work packages, with a focus on using ICPDR data.
In the first 1.5 years, DANUBE4all has made significant progress towards its goal of restoring the Danube River Basin. Especially of note are successful publications in journals with high impact factors. For the Demo Sites and the work on river literacy further funding could already be attracted to expand the work.
Work in the Delta has had a such a positive response, that the area of restoration preparation could be expanded.
Work in the Delta has had a such a positive response, that the area of restoration preparation could be expanded.