​Description of the geophysical foundation of the catchment

The research question to answer in WP1 is: what is the current hydrological state of the catchment and where can potential NBS be placed? In order to answer it, the geophysical potential for NBS will be mapped based on a geomorphological analysis of the catchment (elevation, soil, geology, hydrology). By combining this with actual LULC maps, we can assess how much of this potential is currently degraded/existing and functional. Overlapping urban spatial maps to the aforementioned maps will allow to understand holistically both the social-juridical and physical potential of the catchments for NBS implementation. The objective of WP1 is therefore to analyse the pressures and potential for restoration of the catchments using the water battery concept.

Tasks:

Task 1.1: Overall geophysical-hydrological analysis of the case-studies. Identify which factors determine the geophysical-hydrological links in the case studies: the relationships between surface, subsoil and deeper geology, the interaction between ground and surface water, and the impact of LCLU on the geophysical-hydrological system. This will be performed through a spatial and hydrological analysis of water system maps, wetland depression maps, remote sensing maps, local and global databases and field studies (e.g., remote sensing, high-resolution DSM and DTM data).

Task 1.2: Hydro-morphological description of the NBS. Description of current NBS based on the River Habitat Survey (RHS) (Environment Agency 2003) focusing on physical attributes, natural fluvial features, and habitat alterations.

Task 1.3: Translation of results from T1.1 into the water battery concept. Calculate the water storage capacity of the landscape (i.e., wetlands, floodplains, surface water) and the historical/natural water levels on the non-restored sites.

Task 1.4.: Evaluate the current pressures on the water battery. Measure the recharge potential of the battery by subtracting the current recharge to the loss by soil sealing, interception and soil degradation on the non-restored sites; with isotope experiments, identify the water leakage and use; calculate the abstracted and diverted water and identify the driver for these activities.

Task 1.5. Evaluate the current pressures on biodiversity. Calculate the current e-flow and e-water levels and estimate the threshold values of these parameters which are needed to sustain biodiversity and ES. Calculate the cumulative impact on biodiversity when these thresholds are not met considering the duration, frequency and extremity of the event.

Tasks 1.6. Evaluate the implications on the current policy directives. Define the ecological status of the case-study catchments according to the findings and the WFD. Study the current use of indicators for evaluating the ecological status.

Deliverables:

D1.1. Map with hotspots for potential NBS implementation along the case study catchments; 

D1.2. Report on the NBS implemented for river restoration; 

D1.3. Blog writing describing the water battery concept and the application of this concept to real case studies; 

D1.4. Report reviewing the pressures found in the different case-studies/each case study; 

D1.5. Scientific papers: #1 model applying the water-battery concept to the water-basins; 2# characterization of the water-basins over time, including future forecast; 

D1.6. Report addressing the structural problem that extreme hydrological events create both in the socio-economic and environmental arena.