RECHARGE aims to study and compare the hydrological dynamics of different basins, wetlands and river systems, focusing on the understanding of the whole river catchment of:
Belgium
The Belgian case study is a data-rich catchment in the North of Belgium. The Kleine Nete is one of the most natural rivers in Flanders with good water quality and a mix of nature, such as peat relics, grasslands, forests and heathland. At the same time, the catchment also supports agriculture with trends to intensification. Thus, there is a high pressure on the water system due to abstractions from ground and surface water. Extreme droughts in the past decade have raised awareness of the need for action. Through the Blue Deal policy, a lot of money has become available for the implementation of measures, including NBS. We are involved in supporting past and ongoing investment projects. Monitoring of past NBS implementations is ongoing through a synergy with the other research projects and networks such as TURQUOISE project, Bodemwater and Beek Boer Bodem.
Poland
The Flinta River, meanders through a picturesque lowland terrain, boasting an abundance of aquatic flora and a diverse array of river-dwelling fish species. Numerous sections of this river stands as a prime example of NBS, embodying the characteristics of typical lowland waterways found across Europe. Evaluated as moderate under the WFD, the Flinta River continues to serve as a vital ecosystem despite some hydromorphological alterations. Part of its course falls within the protective embrace of the Natura 2000 network (PLB300015), complemented by the presence of conservation zones along its banks.
Portugal
The Portugal water basin is a 221 ha agrosilvopastoral state property, part of LTER (LTER_EU_PT_003), thus having historical climate and water level data, and permanent connections to stakeholders. It has a Mediterranean climate (mean average annual rainfall 500 mm; mean annual temperature 16°C) and an altitude from 150 to 240 m asl. Its main ES are cork and science, besides biodiversity support. It encompasses a head-water basin, with one permanent stream and multiple temporary small tributaries. Thirteen NBS (retention basins), have been built to increase local water availability to animals and plants, and to increase water infiltration to the aquifer. These will be the focus of RECHARGE, comparing independent sections of the streams with and without NBS.
Spain
Spanish project team will focus on the rivers of Arga and Aragón, which have been restored in the context of the National Strategy of River Restoration (Spain) and an EU funded Life project (“Territorio Visón”). The main objective for these restoration works were increasing hydrologic connection of the rivers with the surrounding floodplains, improving and diversifying the habitat to preserve species of special interest and buffer the effects of floods. All the area sits on top of alluvial aquifers which are continuously monitored in terms of quantity and quality of the water they store. The catchment has hundreds of kilometers of rivers within Natura 2000 sites that could potentially be subject to further restoration efforts. The catchment has a network of over 50 sampling sites monitored since 1994, used to estimate the chemical and biological state of the waters. There are 7 stations that continuously monitor common water parameters with sensors.