Objectives

Implementing new measurement methods to the areas where they were not implemented before necessitates original adjustments, and improvement of criteria as well as post-processing. In this way, double research objectives are achieved, i.e. upgrading of measurement methods and new knowledge in hydraulics, hydraulic equipment, and aquatic habitats. The measurement methods include new knowledge of tracers (hydrogen bubbles, solids, dyes) and sound visualisation parameters, while the experimental results give new correlations related to the rules governing water flow and water works, and the conditions for aquatic life.

Hydrological research is an important part of the proposed programme, and it is programmatically consistent with Unesco’s international hydrological programme. Acute crisis is present in water resources management globally. Damages from water-related disasters continue to increase all over the world (e.g. floods, landslides), while available water resources are becoming increasingly scarce (e.g. droughts). The research under the proposed programme will be an intricate part of joint worldwide efforts to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters (INTERPRAEVENT, UNESCO).

The research in experimental basins is a constituent part of the studies carried out by the AMHY regional group of Unesco’s FRIEND project. We will operate experimental basins for observations and research together with researchers from other countries in the framework of the HELP UNESCO Programme and ERB. The research projects concerning aquatic environment issues and their management are among EU’s priority tasks.

The specific objectives are defined according to the IHP VIII programme, where we will focus on:

  • Improving the understanding and encouraging the approach to controlling flood risk, based on the idea of “living with floods”, rather than on “implementing flood measures”.
  • Furthering research and developing early warning systems, which include strengthened monitoring of capacities and hydrological modelling of socio-ecological systems, consisting of natural and anthropogenic water cycles for operational support of IWRM.
  • Translating, comparing and analysing data on socio-economic damages due to water-related hazards, while taking into account the scope of hydrological hazard and social vulnerability.
  • Supporting member states to increase the resistance to water-related disasters and promote risk management.
  • Developing the knowledge on past natural disasters, with insight into the changing nature of hazards and vulnerability.
  • Developing adjustment measures related to climate change.
  • Adjusting hydrological models with remote sensing data for various water management uses.
  • Support actions for increasing the availability of hydrological data in nearly real time obtained in remote sensing and field monitoring, allowing for an integrated approach and continuous calibration/upgrading of the models for water management needs.
  • Studying how different environments understand the uncertainty of flood maps and other water-related risks.
  • Developing and performing systematic checks of existing natural systems with satisfactory performance in the urban environment, and finding new approaches, particularly those leading to the use of ecohydrological concepts.
  • Developing platforms for cooperation of several interested parties and the public related to the effective use of ecohydrological achievements.