Speaker
Description
Human activities have negatively affected more than 70% of the Danube wetlands. Their restoration will benefit ecosystem services, including wetland and river biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The European Commission’s Mission “Restore our ocean and waters by 20230” targets not only Danube and Black Sea areas, but also meets a number of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as climate resilient cities, nature conservation of land and waters, access to resources and wellbeing of the local population. In addition, Black Sea Basin wetlands and floodplains contribute fish resources, ensure flood prevention and mitigation, biomass production, water purification, and reduction of eutrophication processes. European Commissin international collaborative research and innovation projects support scientists in their interdisciplinary studies of the Danube River Basin – one of Europe’s largest (801.463 km²) basins, which drains areas and affects nature and human wellbeing in 19 countries.
The DaWetRest (Danube Wetlands and flood plains Restoration through systemic, community-engaged, and sustainable innovative actions) project (Grant 101113015) performs research and innovation actions to improve the linkage of the Danube and its tributaries with the neighboring wetlands. Its activities include the use of new methods and technologies for freshwater monitoring and governance of fresh and brackish water ecosystems. Specific efforts take the engagement and active participation of the local communities in the research and innovation activities to higher levels.
