Adaptive Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change on European Freshwater Ecosystems

Climate change is expected to increase both the frequency and severity of water issues in European catchments. Euro-limpacs, aims to assess the effects of future global change on freshwater ecosystems in Europe. A central activity of the project is the development of an innovative toolkit for integrated catchment analysis and modelling to assess the potential impact of global change under different climate and socio-economic scenarios. The project aims also to develop other practical tools for management based on a decision support system. The decision support system (DSS) aims to help managers identify key processes and optimize restoration strategies for freshwater systems in the context of climate change.IVM has been using this DSS in an interactive policymaking process for the restoration of freshwater ecosystems in the Dinkel catchment in the east of the Netherlands. The Water Authority of this catchment is studying the options for the restoration of nature, at the same time solving the issues with regard to inundation of agricultural areas. This is a complex planning exercise as many different interests are at stake. The general objective for this study is to support the process of design and integrated evaluation of plan alternatives within the Dinkel catchment. This research activity is to develop tools and ingredients to support design and evaluation of alternative management options within the Dinkel catchment.

This deliverable reports on one of the tools that was developed as part of the decision support system for the restoration of the freshwater ecosystems in the Dinkel catchment. The Institute of Environmental Studies of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (IVM/VU), in cooperation with the Waterboard Regge and Dinkel (WRD) have developed an interactive website. This website contains several maps of the study area in the Dinkel catchment and is designed to improve understanding of water management in the Dinkel. The interactive map is based on links between maps and text. This allows the user to make guided tours through the world of the Dinkel without leaving home.

The website is available in Dutch and English and can be accessed through the Internet using the following link: http://ivm10.ivm.vu.nl/mapserver/2006/dinkel/