MAIN AREA OF EXPERSTISE

ECOHYDROLOGY - a sub-discipline of hydrology that focuses on ecological processes occurring within the hydrological cycle and strives to utilize such processes for enhancing environmental sustainability

1. Use of Ecosystem Processes in River and Lake Basins for Reduction of various forms of human impact and enhancement of water ecosystems services, biodiversity and resilience (Eutrophication, Toxic Algal Blooms, Sedimentation)
2. Restoration of Water and Ecosystem Resources in Urbanized Spaces for Economic Development, Human Health and Quality of Life Improvement

Ecohydrology was definied in a frame of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP). Ecohydrology is a transdisciplinary and applied science. It uses the understanding of relationships between hydrological and biological processes at the catchment scale to achieve water quality improvement, biodiversity enhancement and sustainable development.

Approach

The Ecohydrology approach is based upon the assumption that the sustainable water resources management can be achieved by:

• restoring and maintaining evolutionarily established processes of water and nutrient circulation and energy flows at a catchment scale;
• enhancing of carrying capacity of ecosystems against human impact based on evolutionarily established resistance and resilience to stress;
• using ecosystem properties as water management tools.

Key assumption

Application

Implementation of EU Water Framework Directive
Achievement of good ecological status of water through harmonization of hydrotechnical and ecological solutions.

Bioenergy
Transformation of pollution in biomass and bioenergy, reduction of CO2 emission from fuel use, and stimulation of economic development.

Aqaculture & Biodiversity
Compensation of aquaculture development by enhancing the ecosystem carying capacity for good water quality, biodiversity and fisheries.

What new proposes

How it works

Publications

Integrated Watershed Management - Ecohydrology & Phytotechnology - Manual
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/freshwater/watershed_manual

Guidelines for the Integrated Management of the Watershed - Phytotechnology and Ecohydrology http://www.unep.or.jp/Ietc/Publications/Freshwater/FMS5/index.asp

The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours
http://www.springer.com/west/home/generic/search/results?SGWID=4-40109-22-173750822-0

ESTUARINE ECOHYDROLOGY
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/712546/description#description

Activities

UNESCO IHP Demonstration Projects on Ecohydrology
http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php-URL_ID=3790&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html