The WISER project is developing methods for assessing and restoring aquatic ecosystems.
The majority of European lakes, rivers and coastal ecosystems are degraded. EutrophicationEnhanced primary productivity caused by nitrogen and phosphorous, organic pollution, intense catchment land use and habitat degradation affect almost all European surface waters. Ecosystem functions have been lost, and many aquatic species have disappeared from entire ecoregions.
Recent European policies target a good ecological status of lakes, rivers and coastal ecosystems. To achieve this, water bodies need to be assessed by comparison with a quality target and, if the quality is below the target, to be restored. For many aquatic ecosystem types ecological assessment systems have been developed; river basin management plansOutlines restoration goals to be achieved and the measures required outline the required restorationActivity to improve the status of degraded waters, be it waste water treatment or structural improvements measures.
WISER in a nutshell
WISER will support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by developing tools for the integrated assessment of the ecological status of European surface waters.
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WISER project news
WISER midterm project meeting, 6-9 Sep 2010
– 2nd circular and online registration
Read more in the EVENT section
– WISER publications
– WISER project newsletter issue 03, June2010
– Events and meetings
– Questionnaire on biological assessment methods
– WISER information flyer
Read more in the NEWS section