As a consequence of the human population development and increasing living standards, European watercourses have undergone gradual morphological, chemical and ecological degradation over the last 100 years. According to the Water Framework Directive, most European rivers are in an unsatisfactory ecological state and often failing to fulfil their original functions (flood protection, water retention in the landscape, climate stabilisation, self-cleaning capacity, centres of biodiversity, sediment transport, recreational and educational functions, etc.). Besides past burdens (channelization, river arm straightening and cutting off, construction of transverse barriers, chemical pollution, etc.), watercourses face modern threats associated with global climate change (unpredictable, unstable flow and temperature regimes) or the development of agriculture, industry, and medicine (new xenobiotics, micropollutants). At the turn of 2022/2023, the integrated LIFE project "Implementation of the River Basin Management Plan in Selected River Sub-Basins in Slovakia" (101069837/LIFE21-IPE-SK-Living Rivers) was therefore approved for funding by the European Commission as a remedial measure for Slovakian watercourses. The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia (FFPW USB), is going to be the only research institution from the Czech Republic involved into this project. This is a very prestigious, many years-long, and ambitious project focused on the implementation of the Water Plan of Slovakia in selected Slovakian river basins (Danube, Hron, Belá and Ipeľ). The project duration is from 1.1.2023 to 31.12.2032. The budget is almost EUR 28 million and many complementary activities will gradually be connected to the project, with their budget far exceeding the project budget itself. The Laboratory of Freshwater Ecosystems and the Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Biochemistry will participate in the project on behalf of the FFPW USB with the support of the Dean's Office Management Department. The FFPW USB is going to take part in the following key tasks:
- the categorisation and prioritisation of transverse barriers on watercourses, including the development of a new methodology for their assessment.
- a proposal to make selected river basins passable, especially the Slovak part of the Danube including the restoration of the inland delta function, the restoration of transverse and longitudinal river connectivity, and the creation of a natural bio corridor on the Old Danube
- the creation of a functional fish rearing facility and transfer of know-how for the production of endangered salmonid species (Brown trout and European grayling) in small watercourses (Belá)
- strengthening the populations of endangered sturgeons as a flagship fish group for large lowland watercourses (Danube)
- a proposal for sustainable, nature-friendly fishery management on watercourses, as well as implementation of the proposed measures in national legislation
- monitoring the condition of fish populations in the target areas before the proposal of revitalisation measures and after their implementation
- the assessment of the migratory passability of the target areas and selected flow barriers for key fish species
- the identification and monitoring of new chemicals originating from human activities (micropollutants) in the waters of target areas
- working with and educating the public, disseminating project results and their practical application
The project results, including the feasibility studies and the actual revitalisation and remedial measures, will then serve as an example of good practice for application on the remaining Slovakian watercourses, and for the preparation of the 4th Water Plan of Slovakia as well as the declaration of the Danube Area National Park.
Written by: RNDr. Bořek Drozd, Ph.D. (project coordinator on behalf of the FFPW USB)
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