Performance evaluation of river restoration projects

The project team examines sections of watercourses that have been restored as part of the "Blue Plus Campaign" of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The restoration success is evaluated with regard to the respective project objectives:

1. achievement of good ecological status of the water bodies,

2. promotion of rare and endangered species,

3. promotion of natural river habitat structures,

4. promotion of ecosystem functions and services,

5. acceptance by local communities.

We are particularly interested in how biodiversity relates to ecosystem functions and services and how projects are perceived by local stakeholders. These relationships are extremely important for community acceptance of restoration projects. To make future stream restoration efforts more effective and cost-efficien we will develop strategies based on our assessment of the factors that determine the success of restoration projects.

In addition, a series of events, the WasserWissensForum (WaterKnowledgeForum), is organized on regionally relevant and timely topics related to the larger issue of water. The aim of this series of events is to inform scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, environmental protection organizations, committed and interested citizens on water topics and to create a framework for discussion. In lectures and panel discussions, all research areas of water management are included, from biological-ecological and hydrological aspects to questions of chemical water quality, technical systems, infrastructure of drinking water and wastewater treatment. The event is held twice a year at the WasserWissensWerk Kempfeld, which was newly opened in 2018.

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