WP4 evaluates effects of river restoration by analysing existing data as well as performing field studies on paired catchments. In tasks 4.2 and 4.3 field studies will use examples of restored sites in which either one large scale measure (flagship restoration site) or smaller restoration measures (small restoration site) have been implemented. These restoration sites will be compared to “control sites” that are situated upstream and are still degraded (nested design). All case study sites comprise mid-sized mountain rivers or mid-sized lowland rivers throughout Europe. D4.1 includes sampling manuals, field forms and protocols for all these abiotic and biotic parameters to ensure comparable datasets for all case study sites.

For all case study sites we collect environmental data, biotic and functional parameters potentially supporting or spoiling restoration success. The data collection encompasses Site information, Hydromorphology, Pressure types, Restoration measure types, Physico-chemical data; Fish, Invertebrates, Macrophytes, Riparian arthropods and Floodplain Vegetation.