Welcome editorial by the REFORM Coordinator REFORM Coordinator Tom Buijse briefly introduces the contents of the sixth newsletter of the project. Read more
Effects of restoration on hydromorphological and biological response variables and factors influencing restoration outcomes Based on a unique dataset on 20 restoration projects, this article addresses the effects of restoration measures on a broad range of response variables. It also identifies factors which influence restoration effects and addresses the role of restoration extent for river restoration effects. Read more
Plants as physical ecosystem engineers A crucial aspect of hydromorphology that is too often neglected is the influence of vegetation on river channel form and dynamics. This article addresses a conceptual model of vegetation-hydromorphology interactions that was developed and tested in several catchments across Europe. Read more
Synergistic approaches to river restoration Current river restoration tends to encounter obstacles as a result of societal demands, particularly flood protection, hydropower, navigation and agriculture. This article proposes a‘synergistic and trade-off’ approach to river restoration through the application of the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) framework. Read more
PhD research in REFORM - The valorization of restored wetlands ecosystem services A valorization of ecosystem services of restored areas is important to assess the performance of restoration projects and improve their implementation. In her PhD thesis, Luiza Tylec aims at assessing restoration projects using the ecosystem services approach. Different alternative scenarios for restoration will be developed, aiming to support better decision-making in restoration planning. The case studies chosen for this research are wetland areas in national parks of Poland. Read more
PhD research in REFORM - Effects of river restoration on ecosystem functions: integrating functional aspects into river management Success or failure of river restoration projects is mainly assessed using variables of structural nature, e.g. the composition of biological assemblages. Functional components are less commonly used for monitoring the effects of river restoration, although they might respond and reveal effects of river restoration in an earlier stage compared to biological assemblages. The general objective of this PhD thesis is to improve the knowledge about effects of river restoration on selected functional components, in particular, on (1) patterns in the food-web structure and (2) the self-purification potential. Read more
International Conference on River Restoration (30 June – 2 July 2015, Wageningen, The Netherlands) Registration is now open for the REFORM International Conference on Novel Approaches to Assess and Rehabilitate Modified Rivers in Wageningen, The Netherlands, on 30 June to 2 July 2015. Read more
REFORM Workshop in Poland: Groundwater-river interaction as driver for ecology On 15-17 September 2014, an expert workshop was organised by REFORM in Kuwasy (Biebrza Valley, Poland). The aim was to discuss the relevance of groundwater-surface water interactions in European actions oriented at sustainable water management. Read more
Building partnerships and the way forward to gear up hydromorphological improvements: An interview with Peter Pollard, Scottish Environment Protection Agency Peter Pollard, manager of the national water policy unit at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, speaks about progress made since the 1st RBMPs in terms of awareness of hydromorphological issues and novel approaches to mitigate impacts. He also makes suggestions for more practice-oriented outputs of REFORM in its final year. Read more
Rewidening and rewilding the Thur river (Switzerland) The recent rehabilitation of the river Thur has been one of the prominent restoration programmes in Switzerland. A combined valuation of biological and morphological conditions indicates an overall positive effect of restoration on the ecological state of the river. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to do to sustain this improvement for the long term. Read more
