River restoration
In the Swiss Plateau more than 50 % of streams and rivers have insufficient morphological conditions and all over Switzerland rivers are highly fragmented by artificial barriers. There is therefore a huge potential for rehabilitation. This research focus was particularly addressed in the Rhone-Thur project (www.rhone-thur.eawag.ch, www.rivermanagement.ch), and continues in the “Integrated River Management” project. This project focuses on 2 subjects:
- River engineering (flood protection) and habitat diversity
- Longitudinal and lateral connectivity of rivers
- Contact persons: Armin Peter,
- Funding: : Eawag, VAW, EPFL, WSL, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Priority setting in river restoration
In the next years Switzerland
will carry out many river restoration projects. In order to ensure ecological
benefits the restoration activities should be prioritized. The project is
funded by the Federal Office for the Environment and is based on studies of
benthos (department of Aquatic Ecology) and fish (Fish ecology and evolution
department). In addition modeling approaches are included (System Analysis,
Integrated Assessment and Modelling department).
The output of the research project will
support river managers in setting priorities for restoration projects.
- Duration: 2010-2013
- Contact person: Gregor Thomas, Armin Peter