Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB Alpine Space

Date of latest update: 2023-08-11

Description

Description (EN):

Ecosystem services provided by lakes and rivers are facing serious threats under the pressure of anthropogenic impacts, climate change, biodiversity loss and invasion of exotic species. The assessment of these changes is still defined by traditional criteria, which include time-consuming and expensive approaches (e.g. classical identification of aquatic species). The main aim of the project Eco-AlpsWater is to complement the traditional monitoring approaches used in the Alpine region (Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC-EU WFD and, in Switzerland, the Water Protection Ordinance-WPO) with advanced and innovative technologies, providing support based on robust knowledge to the water management plans. The new approach will make use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze environmental DNA in waterbodies (which allow rapid species identification at low costs, from fish to bacteria), and smart technologies (automation in data processing, data storage, information retrieval). Along with the identification of gaps in the monitoring approaches across the Alpine regions, the new technologies will allow to define new improved experimental monitoring protocols to be applied in selected areas (including large perialpine lakes and smaller waterbodies, and key rivers). The transnational approach is essential to foster interactions and fill the scientific divide between academia and governance agencies, putting into practice the EUSALP agenda, i.e. capacity building of research institutions, networks and infrastructure with an Alpine Region dimension; and the preservation and valorization of natural resources at a transnational scale. Main outputs include new innovative metagenomic tools and smart bioinformatic technologies to monitor water ecological status and biodiversity; upgrading of traditional WFD/WPO methods with innovative technologies; guidelines for the definition of ecological status and restoration plans using next generation monitoring approaches.

Achievements (EN):

Inland waters are one of the most precious natural resources on Earth, but they are also highly endangered by human activities. To detect changes in inland waters, a regular monitoring is indispensable. Eco-AlpsWater improved the traditional monitoring approaches by using advanced DNA sequencing techniques such as metabarcoding. It makes use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyse environmental DNA in waterbodies. This technique allows for rapid and improved species identification at low costs (e.g. fish or bacteria) as well as an automation in data processing, data storage and information retrieval. The method was tested and optimized in 37 lakes and 23 rivers, and the new findings and experiences were gathered in a toolbox shared with decision makers and water managers.

Website: http://www.alpine-space.eu/

Expected Results (EN): Level of integration of the ecosystem services approach in the policy systems of the Alpine Space

Expected Outputs (EN):

Innovative assessment of ecological status of Alpine water resources and improvement of management plans. Innovation based on the analysis of environmental DNA, allowing to develop tools for rapid, cost-effective identification of fish, microalgae, toxigenic cyanobacteria and waterborne pathogens, and early detection of invasive species, completing classical approches. Sequencing labs and ongoing EU Projects (DNAqua, SYNAQUA) will be involved. The new approaches will serve as a robust and shared basis of knowledge among scientists, officials and policymakers to address water management policies and set the stage for the adoption of next generation monitoring approaches (WFD) at the transnational basis, in compliance with the EUSALP agenda.

Thematic information

Water management Evaluation systems and results Waterways, lakes and rivers

Specific Objective: Enhance the protection, the conservation and the ecological connectivity of Alpine Space ecosystems

Thematic Objective: (06) preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency by:

Investment Priority: (06d) Protecting and restoring biodiversity and soil and promoting ecosystem services, including through Natura 2000, and green infrastructure

Partners (12)

Lead Partner: Fondazione Edmund Mach

Department: Sustainable Ecosystems & Bioresources

Address: via Edmund Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige (Trento), Italy

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.fmach.it/

Total budget: EUR 309 248.10

ERDF budget: EUR 262 860.88

Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement

Name: Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement

Department: Centre INRAE Lyon-Grenoble

Address: rue de la Doua 5, 69625 Villeurbanne, France, France

Legal status: public

Website: https://www.inrae.fr/en/centres/lyon-grenoble-auvergne-rhone-alpes

Total budget: EUR 181 677.50

ERDF budget: EUR 154 425.88

Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

Name: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale

Department: Environmental, Protection, Monitoring and Biodiversity Conservation Department

Address: via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Roma, Italy

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.isprambiente.gov.it

Total budget: EUR 131 164.75

ERDF budget: EUR 111 490.04

Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana

Name: Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana

Department: Department for Environment Constructions and Design, Institute of Earth Sciences

Address: Via Trevano -, CH 6952 Canobbio, Switzerland

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.supsi.ch

Total budget: EUR 101 357.80

Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt

Name: Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt

Department: Dept. 8: Hydrological Services, Unit 84: Ecology of Lakes

Address: Demollstraße 31, 82407 Wielenbach, Germany

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.Bayern.de/LfU

Total budget: EUR 140 702.65

ERDF budget: EUR 119 597.25

Office français de la biodiversité

Name: Office français de la biodiversité

Department: OFB INRAe Consortium for lake ecology

Address: route de Cézanne, CS 40061 3275, 13182 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 5, France

Legal status: public

Website: https://ofb.gouv.fr/

Total budget: EUR 121 037.65

ERDF budget: EUR 102 882.00

Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH

Name: Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH

Department: Department for Clinical Molecular Biology

Address: Waehringerstrasse 25 A, 1090 Vienna, Austria

Legal status: public

Website: https://www.ages.at/startseite/

Total budget: EUR 116 039.00

ERDF budget: EUR 98 633.15

Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto

Name: Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto

Department: State Environment Service of Verona

Address: Via Ospedale Civile 24, 35121 Padova, Italy

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.arpa.veneto.it/

Total budget: EUR 121 701.60

ERDF budget: EUR 103 446.36

Nacionalni Inštitut za Biologijo

Name: Nacionalni Inštitut za Biologijo

Department: Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Address: Vecna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.nib.si/

Total budget: EUR 151 691.70

ERDF budget: EUR 128 937.94

Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft

Name: Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft

Department: Institute for Fisheries (IFI)

Address: Weilheimer Str. 8, 82319 Starnberg, Germany

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.lfl.bayern.de

Total budget: EUR 126 628.60

ERDF budget: EUR 107 634.31

Leopold-Franzens Universität Innsbruck

Name: Leopold-Franzens Universität Innsbruck

Department: Research Institute for Limnology

Address: Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee, Austria

Legal status: public

Website: https://www.uibk.ac.at/limno/

Total budget: EUR 181 690.95

ERDF budget: EUR 154 437.31

Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje

Name: Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje

Department: Sector for ecological status

Address: Vojkova cesta 1b, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.arso.gov.si

Total budget: EUR 121 554.65

ERDF budget: EUR 103 321.45

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

ltalian National lnstitute for Environment Protection and Research

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Bavarian environmental agency

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

FRENCH BIODIVERSITY AGENCY

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention of Veneto

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

National Institute of Biology

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

UNIVERSITÄT INNSBRUCK

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Agencija RS za okolje

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Partners and Projects info

Fondazione Edmund Mach

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Project acronym: Eco-AlpsWater

Project start date: 2018-04-17

Project end date: 2021-10-16

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 804 494.95

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 447 666.58

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 447 666.58.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Reports

Technical guidelines for eDNA monitoring in Alpine waters

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://www.alpine-space.eu/

Publication date: 2022-09-28

Document date: 2021-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Perspectives on eDNA 2021 monitoring in Alpine waters

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://www.alpine-space.eu/

Publication date: 2022-09-28

Document date: 2021-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Eco-AlpsWater Toolbox for the implementation of innovative monitoring approaches

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://www.alpine-space.eu/

Publication date: 2022-09-28

Document date: 2021-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Brochures / magazines / manuals

Alpine waters & eDNA

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: https://www.alpine-space.eu/

Publication date: 2022-09-28

Document date: 2021-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Media releases / articles

EAW Taxa Analysis Tool

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: https://www.alpine-space.eu/

Publication date: 2022-09-28

Document date: 2021-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB Alpine Space

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-08-11

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

64 / 64 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

752 / 752 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Achievements were retrieved by Interact from the Programme website (http://www.alpine-space.eu/), or a website directly linked from it, on 2022-11-20 and 2024-03-11.

Languages

Contact Form

Innovative Ecological Assessment and Water Management Strategy for the Protection of Ecosystem Services in Alpine Lakes and Rivers

Description

Thematic information

Partners (12)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer