Improving water quality in the Danube river and its tributaries by integrative floodplain management based on Ecosystem Services

Nutrient loads transported by the Danube affect its ecological status and have to be reduced, active floodplains can have a significant retention potential. But floodplains are subject to multiple human uses which strongly affect water quality of rivers. So far, these uses were sectorally managed (e.g. flood retention, nature conservation, agriculture), rarely regarding water quality and interactions between sectors. The current DTP-Danube Floodplain Project (DFP) links attempts of improving flood retention and restoration, while water quality is not yet in focus. IDESproject aims to add water quality targets to this effort and improve water quality by developing an integrative floodplain management based on Ecosystem Services (ES). The ES concept in the Danube region is actually not used to proactively manage different activities holistically. The use of a River Ecosystem Service Index in Germany has even shown that water management can be significantly improved by the identification of synergies between the various ES, which reflect the various sectoral interests and targets.
Hence, existing ES evaluation methods in the Danube region with a focus on water quality issues will first be harmonized to the IDES tool and adjusted according to data availability. A spatial analysis will document the actual drivers of water quality along the Danube and its tributaries and of relevant ES in their floodplains. In five pilot areas IDES Danube will be applied: the effect of water quality management scenarios on relevant ES will be assessed in order to derive an optimized concept. Key actors will be trained in using the IDES tool for water quality management, a manual on the implementation of the tool will be elaborated. Based on the results, national action plans with prioritized areas and a joint strategy will be developed to improve water quality at transnational level regarding the Danube river basin management plan and targets of PA4 and PA6 of the EUSDR.Intensity of cooperation of key actors in the programme area in order to improve transnational water management and flood risk prevention (survey based composite indicator)The provision of a new assessment tool together with a manual and a strategy on how to implement the tool in the future will improve the co-operation of the key actors in the field of water quality management at transnational level to make a more effective and sustainable water quality management at regional and local levels along the Danube and its tributaries possible. This will result in a holistic and sustainable view as well as in a joint approach for accelerating and harmonizing actions including other sectors beyond the water sector and speeding up the implementation.
The main results are in a nutshell:
- A well-functioning and reinforced expert network, integrating public authorities from different levels, NGOs and research institutes from the 10 participating countries.
- Capacity building among the involved partners and related institutions, beyond in the overall Danube region by providing exchange of experiences and technical know-how during stakeholder workshops and trainings on the newly developed IDES tool, documented in the IDES manual.
- Strengthened cooperation pathways of project partners and local/regional stakeholders by joint implementation of pilot actions which serve as best practice examples, guidance and blueprint for further concrete solutions, concepts and measures.
An integrative strategy for improving water quality creating a common understanding and a basis for decision-making and stakeholder communication in and beyond the water sector.