Description
Description (EN): The HydroEcoNex project is focused on the development of a system of monitoring the influence of hydropower engineering on the state of environment and ecosystem services delivered by Black Sea rivers, Dniester and Prut. The development of policy instruments and enhancement of human capacities for integrated water resource management in light of impacts caused by climate change, the dissemination of new knowledge and strengthening the transboundary cooperation in integrated monitoring of these impacts on river ecosystems are among important activities of the project. The project activities will be implemented by Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova in cooperation with International Association of River Keepers “Eco-Tiras”, Moldova; the University Dunarea de Jos Galati, Romania; the Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea, and the Hydrometeorological Center for Black and Azov Seas, Ukraine, with a history of long term collaboration. The project’s team will use its own experience and available knowledge in environmental studies such as climate variability and change, river water and alluvial resources, water quality, aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity and their integrated monitoring, assessment of environmental impacts, and environmental policy and legislation. It will also work closely with authorities, public enterprises responsible for energy and water supply, environment protection and fishery, and newly trained specialists to ensure successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the project. The rivers on which the project focuses, Dniester River, shared by Ukraine and Moldova, and the Prut River – shared by Romania and Moldova are exploited for generation of hydropower and but also are the subject of transboundary debates and in need for joint environmental monitoring. Through application of most promising monitoring and environment assessment practices downstream the hydropower plant dams on these rivers, combined with the economic analyse of lost ecosystems services, historical information on climate and rivers stream flow, a system of innovative transboundary monitoring of the Black Sea river ecosystems transformation under impacts of hydropower development and climate change will be elaborated. This system will be incorporated into a strategy of bilateral cooperation on joint monitoring of transboundary rivers affected by hydropower. The project is relevant to the BSC work programme by its contribution to the coordination of environmental protection for transboundary rivers, affected by hydropower and climate change. Project results promote a shared prosperity and good neighborliness between Black Sea Basin countries, as the joint selection of common an unified monitoring indicators as well as information exchange between project target groups will generate cross-border compatible environmental databases and increase their availability. The total project cost is 896, 865 Euro.
Read more Achievements (EN): Main achievements of the project:
1. Creation of a set of indicators to assess the impacts of hydropower on the hydrology, water quality and biodiversity of transboundary river
The common methodology for monitoring was developed through a comprehensive review of the national and international legislative framework, analysis of historical and actual research and project data, economic valuation of lost ecosystem services and collection of research baseline data on physical and ecological conditions of transboundary rivers investigated. A set of biological, hydrobiological and hydrologic indicators on the impact of hydropower plants on river ecosystems were revealed.
Among the organisations that will use the developed set of indicators are: the Institute of Ecology and Geography (Republic of Moldova), Institute of Geology and Seismology (Republic of Moldova), State University of Moldova (Republic of Moldova), Odessa State Ecological University (Ukraine) Odessa Mechnikov National University (Ukraine).
2. Decision makers, researchers, and graduate students in the field of water resources have improved knowledge and skills in transboundary monitoring of freshwater ecosystems.
The water resource specialists and graduate students have gained practical knowledge and skills in dealing with the elaborated methodology on monitoring the environmental changes and economic valuation of ecosystem services under the impact of hydropower and improved their skills in cooperation, negotiation and diplomacy for transboundary management of water resources. In addition, the workshop participants acquired negotiation and conflict resolution skills, strengthening the need for cooperation between scientists and decision-makers in transboundary water management. The acquired knowledge and skills enhanced their ability for effective monitoring in transboundary river systems.
3. A strategy for bilateral water cooperation on joint monitoring of transboundary rivers affected by hydropower was elaborated and disseminated
Regional and/or basin-wide strategies stating a bilateral country commitment to certain principles and ways to manage the shared river water resources contribute to the effective implementation of international water law principles, thus providing important prerequisites for successful and sustainable river basin management, assessment of potential impacts and minimising conflicts over water use. The developed strategies complement the existing international legislation (Espoo, SEA Protocol, etc.), intergovernmental agreements and river basin treaties.
By performing joint research on environmental parameters, the research capacities were improved, and a broader view of transboundary water management issues was achieved owing to several field expeditions.
A public awareness raise was carried out via press conferences, brochures and leaflets, presentations delivered at different national events and within public informational seminars in the localities of the Dniester and Prut River basins and TV/radio broadcasts. The website http://hydroeconex.com increased the availability of cross-border compatible environmental data. The project was awarded a bronze medal at the International Specialized Exhibition INFOINVENT 2021 (16-17 September 2021, Chisinau, online).
Read more
Website: http://blacksea-cbc.net/
Expected Results (EN): R 2.1 Level of availability of cross-border compatible environmental monitoring data and information
Expected Outputs (EN): The project will lead to the following main results:
1) A common methodology for monitoring of impacts of hydropower on transboundary river ecosystems will be developed based on agreed environmental indicators and available best international practices;
2) Capacities and awareness among key stakeholders on integrated water resource management in light of impacts caused by hydropower (HP) and climate change will be increased;
3) Policy instruments on integrated monitoring for rivers affected by HP will be developed;
4) Access to technical and scientific reports, data and methodologies on transboundary monitoring of river ecosystems affected by HP will be increased.
The methodology will be developed jointly, based on comprehensive investigation data related to downstream parts of rivers, which were affected by HP dams. The stress will be put on the self-cleaning capacity of waters and state of river ecosystems, which allow a truly assessment of the impact of HPP on environment and delivered ecosystem services. The application of common monitoring indicators and schemes will result in acquisition of compatible environmental monitoring data at basin level. In order to ensure the development of field policy instruments, the transfer of knowledge on effects of electricity production from hydroelectric sources on stability of river ecosystems and their potential to deliver services to key stakeholders (decision-makers and specialist in the field of energy production and security, water supply, environment protection, fishery, agriculture, etc.) will be performed. With their involvement, the draft of Strategy for bilateral water cooperation on joint monitoring of transboundary rivers affected by HP will be worked out. The level of availability of cross-border compatible environmental monitoring data and information (PRI 2.1) will be also increased through the creation of a web network, which will serve as a platform for knowledge management and dissemination.
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Partners (5)
Lead Partner:
Institute of Zoology
Department:
Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Ecotoxicology, Laboratory of Ichthyology and Aquaculture
Address:
Academiei 1, 2028 Chisinau, Moldova
Legal status:
public
Website (not verified):
http://www.zoology.asm.md/
Total budget:
EUR 310 445.00
ENI budget:
EUR 285 609.40
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International Association of River Keepers "Eco-Tiras"
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Name:
International Association of River Keepers "Eco-Tiras"
Address:
Teatrala 11 A, 2012 Chisinau, Moldova
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.eco-tiras.org
Total budget:
EUR 162 544.00
ENI budget:
EUR 149 540.48
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Scientific Research Institution Ukrainian Scientific Centre of the Ecology of Sea
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Name:
Scientific Research Institution Ukrainian Scientific Centre of the Ecology of Sea
Department:
Department for Scientific Studies and Protection of Marine Biocenoses, Department of Analytical Studies and Organization of Monitoring
Address:
Frantsuzsky Blvd. 89, 65009 Odessa, Ukraine
Legal status:
public
Total budget:
EUR 93 188.00
ENI budget:
EUR 85 732.96
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Hydrometeorological Center for Black and Azov Seas
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Name:
Hydrometeorological Center for Black and Azov Seas
Department:
Department of Sea and River Hydrological Forecasts, Department of Meteorology
Address:
Frantsuzskyi boulevard 89, 65009 Odessa, Ukraine
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.hmcbas.od.ua
Total budget:
EUR 94 478.00
ENI budget:
EUR 86 919.76
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University Dunarea de Jos Galati
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Name:
University Dunarea de Jos Galati
Department:
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment
Department of Aquaculture, Environmental Science and Cadastre
Address:
Domneasca 47, 800008 Galati, Romania
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.ugal.ro
Total budget:
EUR 236 210.00
ENI budget:
EUR 217 313.20
