Reviving Europe's rivers: Seven challenges in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to restore free-flowing rivers
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Author
Stoffers, Twan
Altermatt, Florian
Baldan, Damiano
Bilous, Olena
Borgwardt, Florian
Buijse, Anthonie D.
Bondar-Kunze, Elisabeth
Erős, Tibor
Ferreira, Maria Teresa
Funk, Andrea
Haidvogl, Gertrud
Hohensinner, Severin
Kowal, Johannes
Nagelkerke, Leopold A. J.
Neuburg, Jakob
Peller, Tianna
Schmutz, Stefan
Singer, Gabriel A.
Unfer, Günther
Vitecek, Simon
Jähnig, Sonja C.
Hein, Thomas
Publication date
2024-01-30ISSN
2049-1948
Abstract
The EU Nature Restoration Law represents an important opportunity for freshwater habitat restoration and, consequently, freshwater biodiversity protection. However, a number of challenges must be anticipated in its implementation, which may compromise its success. Some aspects, particularly those relating to freshwater ecosystems, require more clarification. We use riverine ecosystems to illustrate existing ambiguities in the proposed legislation and the potential consequences of leaving these aspects open to interpretation during the implementation process. We also discuss potential solutions to these problems which could help ensure that the law's objectives are met. We argue that river network structure and connectivity dimensions, which result into river meta-ecosystems, must be explicitly considered. For that purpose, we ask for clear definitions of the critical terms “free-flowing rivers,” “barriers,” and “reference areas.” In addition, we recommend developing methods for integrated assessment of connectivity across river networks. As a key property of river ecosystems, this must be used to prioritize actions to increase the length and number of free-flowing rivers. Adequate restoration planning at larger spatial scales will benefit from a meta-ecosystem perspective and accurate representation of aquatic-terrestrial linkages, which will significantly improve the efficacy of restoration efforts. Furthermore, stakeholder and citizen engagement offer important opportunities at local, national, and European scales, and should be fostered to ensure inclusive decision-making. The conservation challenges outlined here are particularly important for rivers, but they also have implications for other ecosystems. These considerations are useful for policymakers, conservationists, and other stakeholders involved in the Nature Restoration Law and related policy initiatives.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
574 - General ecology and biodiversity
Pages
23
Publisher
Wiley
Is part of
WIREs Water
Citation
Stoffers, Twan, Florian Altermatt, Damiano Baldan, Olena Bilous, Florian Borgwardt, Anthonie D. Buijse, Elisabeth Bondar-Kunze, et al. 2024. “Reviving Europe’s rivers: Seven challenges in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to restore free-flowing riversw.” WIREs Water. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1717
Grant agreement number
EC/H2020/101036337/EU/Mainstreaming Ecological Restoration of freshwater-related ecosystems in a Landscape context: INnovation, upscaling and transformation/MERLIN
EC/HE/101093985/EU/RESTORATION OF THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN WATERS FOR ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE FROM MOUNTAINS TO COAST/DANUBE4all
EC/HE/101059438/EU/Bio Knowledge Agora: Developing the Science Service for European Research and Biodiversity Policymaking/BioAgora
Program
Aigües Marines i Continentals
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2555]
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/