Reconnect backwaters and wetlands

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Reconnect backwaters and wetlands

Reconnect backwaters and wetlands08. Floodplains/off-channel/lateral connectivity habitats improvement

General description

Reconnect backwaters (oxbows, side channels) and wetlands refers to measure aiming to restore lateral connectivity between the main river channel and its floodplain. [1]

Applicability

-The measure is applicable for medium sized rivers and large rivers, in tropical and temperate waters as well (Tockner et al. 2000);

Expected effect of measure on (including literature citations):

  • HYMO (general and specified per HYMO element)
  • physico � chemical parameters
  • Biota (general and specified per Biological quality elements)

The measure aims to restore the lateral (riverine-riparian-floodplain) dimension of a river system, affected by human activities (Ward and Stanford, 1989) and to re-vitalize natural processes induces by the river ,,flood pulse” (Junk et al., 1989). Therefore most restoration schemes of river corridor are based on a re-establishment of the river pulse (Molles et al., 1998; Tochner et al., 1998; Toth et al., 1998; Schiemer et al., 1999). The evaluation of some implemented projects for reconnecting former floodplain to river showed positive effects on the ecosystem services as support for biodiversity (Tremolieres et al, 2008) and nutrient retention (Oosterberg et al., 1998 ; Bachmann et al., 2000; Zockler et al., 2000, Staras, 2000; Schiemer & Reckendorfer, 2004; De Groot el al., 2006; Tudor, 2008). The studies on nutrient condition of the river water, have proved a significant reduction of nitrogen and less for phosphorous.

Some published works are relevant for the responses of biota as fitoplancton, vegetation, fish to floodplain embankment or to restoration of lateral connectivity. (Bacalbasa-Dobrovici, 1989; Schmutz et al., 1999; Buijse et al, 2002; Navodaru et al., 2005; Torok et al. 2008; Schneider et al., 2008; Navodaru et al., 2008).

Temporal and spatial response

Pressures that can be addressed by this measure

Cost-efficiency

Case studies where this measure has been applied

Useful references

Other relevant information

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