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 (this volume) 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 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.

Introducing the REFORM leaflet!
This document (one page, double sided, not folded) is ready to be printed and distributed at any event to provide a brief introduction and overview of the REFORM project as well as invite the reader to learn more on the project website.

Note that the leaflet is now available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Polish and Swedish.

Introducing the REFORM leaflet!
This document (one page, double sided, not folded) is ready to be printed and distributed at any event to provide a brief introduction and overview of the REFORM project as well as invite the reader to learn more on the project website.

Note that the leaflet is now available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Polish and Swedish.

This is the second in a series of three policy briefs that will be published within the duration of the REFORM project. This brief contains information on the:

• key REFORM outputs in support of policy (June 2013 - June 2014)
• key achievements (June 2013 – June 2014)
• main conclusions and recommendations on:
  - central HYMO processes to be addressed
  - biota responses to HYMO degradation and restoration
  - new insights on biota-based metrics of HYMO impacts
  - costs and benefits of restoration measures
  - following a systematic approach in restoration project planning

In addition, the brief includes information and a web link to the upcoming REFORM International Conference.

An increasing number of rivers have been restored over the past few decades but only a small number of these projects have been monitored, and hence, the knowledge on the effect of river restoration on biota is limited. Nevertheless, monitoring results of several projects are available in peer-reviewed scientific literature and have been compiled in recent research projects. The objective was to evaluate the effect of hydromorphological restoration on biota based on these existing data. Specific objectives were to quantify restoration success, to identify catchment, river reach, and project characteristics which influence (either constrain or enhance) the effect of restoration, and to derive recommendations for river management. The study is complemented by a satellite topic on urban river restoration.

WP2 focuses on hydromorphological and ecological processes and interactions within naturally functioning river systems. D2.1 proposes a hierarchical framework to support river managers in exploring the causes of river management problems and devising sustainable solutions. D2.2 builds on this framework by exploring published research and available data sets to more formally encompass the biota. This report (Part 2 of Deliverable 2.2) considers interactions between hydromorphology and macroinvertebrates and fish, and the role of floods and droughts as biota-shaping phenomena. Lastly, part 2 presents conclusions from the whole of Deliverable 2.2.

With an increasing emphasis on river restoration comes a need for new techniques and guidance. Despite the rapid increase in river restoration projects, little is known about the effectiveness of these restoration efforts. Restoration outcomes are often not fully evaluated in terms of success or reasons for success or failure. This report strived to meet this need by developing a protocol for benchmarking and setting specific and measurable targets for restoration and mitigation.

The purpose of WP3 is to address degraded river systems. The aim of the first deliverable D3.1 was to begin the development of metrics which indicate the impact of hydromorphological degradation on biota  using existing data. The output, an informed choice of key metrics, aims to support the stakeholder decision making processes and their ability to target desired project goals. These indicators of degradation should be viewed as an interim solution while a more comprehensive and tested approach is produced from WP2 and the final system developed will be an integral part of WP6.

An analytical framework is developed for estimating ecosystem services delivered by restored and non-restored river corridors, i.e. the active river channel and its accompanying valley floor. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment approach towards ecosystem services is adopted with a focus on final services, i.e. only those services are quantified that provide a net benefit to societal beneficiaries. A long list of services potentially provided by European rivers is provided and linked qualitatively to a river style typology developed in D2.1 by Gurnell and colleagues.

This is a bibliographic review concerning the effects of HYMO pressures on hydromorphological processes and variables resulting from both degradation and restoration. It further provides a tool to identify gaps in present HYMO knowledge, which is needed to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that control degradation-restoration processes. The following groups of HYMO pressures are addressed: hydrological regime alteration, river fragmentation and morphological alteration.

On 26 and 27 February 2013, around 110 participants attended the Stakeholder Workshop on River Restoration to Support Effective Catchment Management of the REFORM project (www.reformrivers.eu) in Brussels. Twenty-three European countries, including national administrations and other stakeholder groups, were represented. In the workshop summary report (http://www.reformrivers.eu/events/stakeholder-workshop/documents), specific considerations are reported on what REFORM can do explicitly about the issues raised by stakeholders, giving an indication of the relevant deliverables and the expected time of their publication on the REFORM website (http://www.reformrivers.eu).

Introducing the REFORM leaflet!
This document (one page, double sided, not folded) is ready to be printed and distributed at any event to provide a brief introduction and overview of the REFORM project as well as invite the reader to learn more on the project website.

Note that the leaflet is now available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Polish and Swedish.