This book compares the lessons learned from a wetland-perspective approach to the changing climate and the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) with regard to environmental conservation. Examples from Germany and Poland are discussed due to the efficiency of their respective implementations of water conservation policies. Although the general scientific interest in specific issues such as wetlands, climate change, nature conservation and the WFD enjoy a well established position in international environmental research, these four elements are rarely considered together due to the complexity of the processes, biased scenarios of global change and subjective policy background. Major challenges involved in carrying out environmental conservation actions that assess the potential impacts of climate change and management plans on water bodies are identified. The results of this approach are addressed to practitioners in the field of adaptive management in a wetlands context.

This book compares the lessons learned from a wetland-perspective approach to the changing climate and the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) with regard to environmental conservation. Examples from Germany and Poland are discussed due to the efficiency of their respective implementations of water conservation policies. Although the general scientific interest in specific issues such as wetlands, climate change, nature conservation and the WFD enjoy a well established position in international environmental research, these four elements are rarely considered together due to the complexity of the processes, biased scenarios of global change and subjective policy background. Major challenges involved in carrying out environmental conservation actions that assess the potential impacts of climate change and management plans on water bodies are identified. The results of this approach are addressed to practitioners in the field of adaptive management in a wetlands context.

Wetland ecosystems are ecologically and functionally significant elements of the water environment, with potentially an important role to play in helping to achieve sustainable river basin management. The water framework directive does not set environmental objectives for wetlands. However, wetlands that are dependent on groundwater bodies, form part of a surface water body, or are protected areas, will benefit from WFD obligations to protect and restore the status of water. Pressures on wetlands (for example physical modification or pollution) can result in impacts on the ecological status of water bodies. Measures to manage such pressures may therefore need to be considered as part of river basin management plans, where they are necessary to meet the environmental objectives of the directive. Wetland creation and enhancement can in appropriate circumstances offer sustainable, cost-effective and socially acceptable mechanisms for helping to achieve the environmental objectives of the directive. In particular, wetlands can help to: abate pollution impacts, contribute to mitigating the effects of droughts and floods, help to achieve sustainable coastal management and to promote groundwater re-charge. The relevance of wetlands within programmes of measures is examined in this horizontal guidance paper on wetlands.

River Basin Management is a collection of papers presented at a conference on implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, held in Budapest in May 2005. The Water Framework Directive requires progressive protection and enhancement to rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and wetlands by the year 2015. At the heart of this major new piece of legislation is the requirement for all EU member states to prepare river basin management plans for all river basin catchments, providing the basis for coordinated improvements to water management, leading to better water quality and sustainable aquatic environments in lakes and rivers. The papers cover a wide range of topics including pilot studies for the development of river basin management plans, public participation in the planning process, water quality monitoring, modeling and analysis, identifying and addressing pollution and meeting environmental objectives. The book presents an array of experience from eighteen European countries in the implementation of the EU’s most far reaching environmental legislation. It is an invaluable source of information and ideas for the widespread preparation of river basin management plans now starting throughout Europe.

Taking over 10 years to develop, the new EU Water Framework Directive is the most significant legal instrument in the water field to emerge from Brussels for some time and will have a profound effect on how water is managed in Europe over the next 25 years. The book outlines its basic features. It explains how the current approach to water management will have to change in order that European Member states and those countries currently in accession negotiations can meet the requirements of the directive, describing a number of examples of current practices as possible systems which could be used in the new approach. The concept of river basin management is outlined, and the potential institutional problems associated with implementing such a system are discussed including the problems associated with cross-border river basins, a common situation in Europe. Examples of existing river basin authorities and international collaboration are given as possible models. The directive requires the establishment of programmes of measures to improve water status. Some countries already use such a concept, and examples are quoted. As a result of its implementation, the directive aims to achieve good water status in all natural surface waters and groundwater in 15 years. For surface waters, the definition of 'good' is based on a new concept of 'ecological quality' taking into account biology, chemistry and their physical features. For groundwater, it includes quantitative status. The approach taken is an integrated one which has to consider all the naturally occurring and human factors which affect the waters. The difficulties of interpretation of the new concept of 'ecological water status' are discussed and some of the examples of current biological and chemical classification schemes that are used in Europe are examined. The directive also alters the way in which pollution is to be controlled - the 'combined' approach. This concept is explained. The EU Water Framework Directive: An Introduction is an invaluable source of guidance on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive for all those concerned with water management including water quality planners and scientists, pollution control and environmental staff in the water and wastewater industries and environmental regulators who all have to adapt to the new approach to their work. Contents Introduction The EU Water Framework Directive Principal Obligations of the Directive Implementation of the Directive River Basin Districts River Basin Characteristics Environmental Objectives Programme of Measures River Basin Plans Groundwater Waters Requiring Special Protection Priority Substances Monitoring Economic Instruments Recording and Reporting Summary Timescales and Future Developments

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect and restore Europe’s rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, groundwater and wetlands to ecological health by 2015. River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are the central tool setting out the specific objectives and actions necessary to achieve the Directive’s objectives in an integrated and participatory way across the EU. This report presents the findings of a survey about the quality of draft RBMPs in the European Union. This survey was carried out during January and February 2009 amongst the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and WWF water networks in the EU. This survey is informed by, and its results presented against, five headline indicators developed by the EEB and WWF: 1. Transparent and publicly owned water management; 2. Reducing wastage and using water well; 3. More space for living rivers; 4. Healthy, safe water for people and nature; 5. Visionary and adaptive water policies.

Deals with new EC legislation – the Water Framework Directive; the main driver within Europe for groundwater monitoring which addresses integrated water resource management across 27 different countries Provides comprehensive approach and guidance on the theoretical and practical aspects for implementing the directive Edited by EC representatives involved in the setting up of the framework, along with colleagues in various water institutions who have the task of implementing the legislation Part of the Water Quality Measurement Series