Project description
New strategies to map, study and manage drying rivers
Rivers are among the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems but also the most threatened by human activities. For instance, more than half of the world’s river networks are running dry. The EU-funded DRYvER project will collect, analyse and model data from nine case studies in Europe and South America. It will create a novel global meta-system approach that incorporates hydrology, ecology, biogeochemistry and socio-economics. Bringing together a multidisciplinary team of experts, the project will develop strategies to mitigate climate change effects on drying river networks and aid their adaptation mechanisms, defining new tools and guidelines. The findings will contribute to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming.
Objective
River networks are among Earth’s most threatened hot-spots of biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services (e.g. supply drinking water and food, climate regulation) essential to sustaining human well-being. Climate change and increased human water use are causing more rivers and streams to dry, with devastating impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Currently, over half the global river network consist of drying channels and these are expanding dramatically. However, drying river networks (DRNs) have received little attention from scientists and policy makers, and the public is unaware of their importance. Consequently, there is no effective integrated biodiversity conservation or ecosystem management strategy of DRNs facing climate change.
A multidisciplinary team of 25 experts from 11 countries in Europe, South America, China and the USA will build on EU efforts to investigate how climate change, through changes in flow regimes and water use, has cascading impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services of DRNs. DRYvER (DRYing riVER networks) will gather and upscale empirical and modelling data from nine focal DRNs (case studies) in the EU and CELAC to develop a meta-system framework applicable to Europe and worldwide. It will also generate crucial knowledge-based strategies, tools and guidelines for cost-effective adaptive management of DRNs. Working closely with stakeholders and end-users, DRYvER will co-develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects in DRNs, integrating hydrological, ecological (including nature-based solutions), socio-economic and policy perspectives. The end results of DRYvER will contribute to reaching the objectives of the Paris Agreement and place Europe at the forefront of research on climate change.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiodiversity conservation
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringecosystem-based management
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.5. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.5.1. - Fighting and adapting to climate change
- H2020-EU.3.5.2. - Protection of the environment, sustainable management of natural resources, water, biodiversity and ecosystems
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
75007 Paris
France
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Participants (25)
07743 JENA
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60323 Frankfurt Am Main
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6020 Innsbruck
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1011 JV AMSTERDAM
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39005 Santander
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
39011 Santander
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17003 Girona
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08007 Barcelona
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00790 Helsinki
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7622 Pecs
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601 77 Brno
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10000 Zagreb
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38058 Grenoble
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LS2 9JT Leeds
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75013 PARIS
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1233 DOB
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
7632 Pecs
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1140 Wien
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
60020181 Fortaleza
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Sucre
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1712145 Quito
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210008 NANJING
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08036 Barcelona
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7623 Pecs
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SW7 2AZ LONDON
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