Part 3 of Deliverable 2.1 "Multi-scale framework and indicators of hydromorphological processes and forms" provides a set of full case study applications of the framework described in Part 1 that are designed to guide users of the framework through the various stages of its application. The five case studies are set within different biogeographical regions of Europe.

Case Study 1 is a fully worked example which applies the entire framework to the catchment of the River Frome, UK. The aim of this case study is to fully illustrate every stage and aspect of the framework, including discussion of how surrogate data and indices were developed when the preferred data types were not available, and a description (in chapter 9) of how analyses were conducted in ArcGIS.

Case studies 2 to 5 are also fully developed examples of the framework of the Upper Esla River (Duero basin, NW Spain), the River Narew (Poland), the Magra and Cecina rivers (Italy) and the River Drau (Austria). They provide examples of its application to different European biogeographical environments, often using different, locally-available data sets, models and methods.

Applications of the hierarchical framework to other regions of  Europe are provided in Deliverable 2.1 Part 4. These case studies provide partial applications of the framework, mainly covering the delineation and characterisation phases. 

Background and Introduction to Deliverable 2.1.

Work Package 2 of REFORM focuses on hydromorphological and ecological processes and interactions within river systems with a particular emphasis on naturally functioning systems. It provides a context for research on the impacts of hydromorphological changes in Work Package 3 and for assessments of the effects of river restoration in Work Package 4.

Deliverable 2.1 of Work Package 2 proposes a hierarchical framework to support river managers in exploring the causes of hydromorphological management problems and devising sustainable solutions. The deliverable has four parts. Part 1 provides a full description of the hierarchical framework and describes ways in which each element of it can be applied to European rivers and their catchments. Part 2 includes thematic annexes which provide more detailed information on some specific aspects of the framework described in Part 1. Part 3 (this volume) includes catchment case studies which present the application of the entire framework described in Part 1 to a set of European catchments located in different biogeographical zones. Part 4 includes catchment case studies which present a partial application of the framework described in Part 1 to a further set of European catchments.