IWRM-net Call for Research Proposals 2009

Closed

Projects selected for funded are as follows:

1. ESAWADI - Utilizing the Ecosystem Services Approach for Water Framework Directive Implementation(France, Germany, Portugal)

The ESAWADI project proposal focuses on the theme 1 “Economics and social values for integrated water management” of IWRM-Net call. Secondary objectives are linked to theme 2 and 3. It aims to analyze and provide advice on the potential usefulness of the ecosystem services approach (ESA) to support the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) economic requirements.

 2. WATER2ADAPT - resilience enhancement and water demand management for climage change adaptation. (Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal)

The alteration of rainfall patter (form, intensity and timing of rainfall) will have significant effects on water availability and frequency of extreme events such as floods and droughts. The knock-on effects of these changes will affect almost all communities throughout Europe, and most economic sectors. This project will examine river basins Po (Italy), Weser (Germany), Guadalquivir (Spain) and Guadiana (Portugal). It will i) identify ‘social drivers’ of water scarcity; ii) assess the magnitude and mediating factors of water scarcity- and drought-induced impacts; and iii) revisit the performance and wider impacts of the water demand management policies.

 3. Water Cap & Trade - Water Market scenarios for Southern Europe: new solutions for dealing with water scarcity and drought risk. (France, Italy, Spain)

Structural water deficits and drought risk are expected to become more frequent, putting at stake the current mechanisms of water management and allocation. The establishment of water markets or systems of tradable abstraction quotas could represent a possible alternative. The use of a “cap and trade” approach could simultaneously guarantee environmental protection as required by the Water Framework directive and enhance flexibility in allocation to maximize water use utility and possibly reducing conflicts. The present research proposal aims at investigating the potential for water market scenarios in Southern Europe, focusing in particular on their socio-economic implications by mobilizing complementary socio-economic methods and tools.
 The research project will address the following questions and issues:
  •  Which type of water market scenarios could be proposed for Southern Europe?
  •  Which potential for water re-allocation through market mechanisms?
  •  Are water market scenarios socially acceptable?
  •  What is the order of magnitude of transaction costs that are likely to result from establishing and operating water markets?
  • What can be learned from the Spanish experience with water markets?

4. Climate Change - Impacts of climate change on water resources management – regional strategies and European view. (Germany, France, Italy)

 The Primary objectives of the project are:
  • Elaboration of quantitative projections of changes in river flows and consequences such as flood frequency, drought occurrence and sectoral water uses.
  • Analysis of the effect of climate change on the hydromorphological reference conditions of rivers and therefore the definition of “good status”.
  • Definition of management rules/strategies concerning dam management and irrigation practices on different time perspectives.
  • Investigation of uncertainties in climate model – scenario combinations.

5. IMPACT -Developing an integrated model to predict abiotic habitat conditions and biota of rivers for application in climate change research and water management. (Germany, Portugal, France)

The research project outlined herein aims at developing an integrated model which predicts the abiotic habitat conditions and biota of natural (reference), semi-natural or restored river reaches. The coupled models will be used to assess the effect of climate change on discharge and in turn on river morphology and stream biota compared to the impact of other anthropogenic pressures like water quality, hydromorphological alterations, and altered re-colonization potential. The project will focus on macroinvertebrates and fish and for the first time include dispersal models of aquatic taxa to predict temporal scales of restoration success and population recovery.
 

6. ICARUS - IWRM for climate change adaptation in rural social ecosystems Southern Europe (Italy, Portugal, Spain)

ICARUS aims at increasing, in selected areas of Italy, Portugal and Spain, efficient water use in agriculture by analysing biophysical, socio-economic and institutional dimensions of sustainable water management and identifying innovative adaptation strategies, practices and tools for saving water in irrigated productions systems, which could be disseminated in other Mediterranean countries.

 
 
 
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A Changing Climate : Regarding climate projections prepared by the IPCC 2008, it has been demonstrated that changes in precipitations and temperatures are expected in Europe, with likely significant regional differences. Climate change will affect average temperatures and the precipitations patterns, as well as the magnitude and the frequency of extreme events
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