Cooperation

Integrated wetland water flow model: an adaptive management tool for wetland protection.
Integrated wetland flow model: A tool for management adaptation in protected wetlands. Acronym: WETFLOD

Project manager: Dr. Dorota Mirosław-Świątek
Implementation period: 2013-31.08.2015

Uncertainty assessment in rainfall-runoff modeling; Korea, Poland and Slovakia

Project manager: prof. dr hab. Inż. Kazimierz Banasik

Source of funding: National Center for Research and Development

Implementation period: 23.10.2012-22.10.2014

Statistics confirm that there is an increasing risk of natural disasters (such as cyclones, floods and droughts), which are contributing to enormous economic damage and loss of livelihood in the EU and Korea. Therefore, the risk of flooding has attracted a special attention of scientists in recent years. The traditional, statistical method of estimating flood flows (literally maximum probable flows), using historical hydrological data, may not always be used, especially in the case of small river catchments. One of the reasons is usually the lack of reliable long-term observational data, while the other – important also in the case of having such data, are changes in the use of the catchment (such as urbanization, changes in afforestation, construction of highways, etc.) causing changes in the catchment response to supply, and in as a consequence, the inability to use the results of statistical analyzes. The possibility to solve the problem – to estimate these flows, is the mathematical modeling of the rainfall-inflow process. This issue has received a lot of attention in recent decades. In Korea, a new flood estimation method using rainfall-runoff modeling is being developed at ChungBuk University. In the EU, this is dealt with, among others, by a group of European scientists (from 26 countries), as part of Action ES0901 “European procedures for flood frequency estimation” – (FloodFreq) in the COST program. Project participants take part in the above-mentioned Shares. The aim of the project is to analyze the available rainfall-runoff models, select an easy-to-use model and its verification. Two groups of catchments will be considered in the project: small with an area of up to approx. 100-200 km2 and medium ones with an area of 100 to several thousand km2.

The task of the SGGW team will be to model the rainfall-runoff process in small river catchments. An analysis of the available models that can be used under the conditions of limited and uncertain data will be carried out. The parameters of the selected model, determined on the basis of the physiographic features of the catchment area and / or the precipitation characteristics, will be verified on the basis of the available measurement data of precipitation-runoff (from selected catchments from Korea, Poland and Slovakia). The pre-verified model for determining the flood hydrograph – as a reaction of the agricultural river catchment to rainfall with a low probability of exceeding (high efficiency) will be a modern design tool in the future for the dimensioning of hydrotechnical structures (weirs, reservoirs, dams) and communication (bridges, culverts). The research results will be published in two articles.

Restoration of rivers for more effective management of the catchment area

Project manager: dr hab. T. Okruszko prof. SGGW

Contractors: dr inż. I. Kardel, dr inż. M. Giełczewski, dr inż. M. Stelmaszczyk

Implementation period: November 1, 2011 – October 31, 2015

Spectral analysis tools for measuring the parameters of selected biophysical processes in plant cover

Project manager: Jarosław Chormański, PhD

Financing Source:

Implementation period: 11.2009-05.2013

The main objective of the project is to develop a common protocol and new instruments for optical measurements, links between the world of science and industry in order to increase the value and economic efficiency of the existing optical measurement procedures carried out in the European network of gas jet measurement towers. The action is geared towards developing an optical measurement strategy, which is the primary tool for monitoring biophysical parameters (BP) and, at the same time, is a bridge between the flux measurement and remote sensing communities. The main goals of the project are also the standardization of field spectroradiometric measurements, the analysis of the limitations and possibilities of currently used tools, the introduction of new, low-cost sensors for continuous BP measurement and the development of interdisciplinary cooperation between groups of scientists dealing with spectral sampling, remote sensing and streaming measurements. The development of a common measurement methodology, data storage system and metadata protocols will make a significant contribution to European science.

COST ACTIONS IMPLEMENTED

Forecasting sediment loads from urban catchments using structurally uncertain models
Predicting sediment loads from urbanized catchments with structurally uncertain models
Acronym: PRESED

Project manager: Dr. Ind. Anna Sikorska

Implementation period: 2013 – 31/12/2013

Anthropogenic impacts on production and quality of surface runoff from small basins in conditions as climate change

Project manager: Prof. dr hab. Inż. Dr. hc Dusan Huska

Contractors: prof. dr hab. Inż. Edward Pierzgalski

Name of the financing institution: VEGA

Implementation period: 2011-2013

Ecotechnology for Sustainable Development (EcoSuD)

Project manager: Dr. Agnieszka Renman (KTH)

Contractors: prof. dr hab. Józef Mosiej, PhD Agnieszka Karczmarczyk, PhD Magdalena Frąk, PhD Teresa Suchecka, MA Agnieszka Bus

Name of the financing institution: Swedish Institute

Name of the program under which the project is financed: VISBY

Implementation period: 10.2011-09.2013

Analysis of changes in the hydrological regime of rivers in Central and Central Europe caused by anthropogenic factors and climate changes in the river basins

Project manager: Jarosław Chormański, PhD

Financing Source: M. Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Implementation period: 14.01.2010-13.09.2011

The aim of the project is to improve analytical methods for assessing changes in river regimes depending on significant human activities such as: urbanization and urban development, agriculture with irrigation and area pollution, water supply and municipal wastewater discharge, water demand by industry and industrial wastewater discharges , operation of retention reservoirs. Adequate modeling tools are proposed depending on the degree of environmental transformation and the analyzed problem of water management in the catchment area. The proposed research concerns selected valley areas and elementary catchments, and concern the following elements, integral parts of hydrological modeling tools in the diverse environment of the lowland river catchment area: 1) Improving analytical methods for assessing the dynamics of water levels and flows in the river and adjacent wetlands, in measurement profiles significant from the point of view of environmental protection, based on the example of the Lower Biebrza Valley. 2) Analysis of the impact on the river regime of agricultural activities and implemented small retention programs in catchments and in river valleys in order to quantify and qualify the degree of human-induced transformation compared to the natural state. 3) Improving analytical methods for assessing the impact of urbanized areas and the urbanization process on the shaping of the river regime in the urban catchment area

Forecast and reduction of diffuse pollutants, solid emissions and extreme flows from rural areas.

Project manager: Prof. dr hab. Inż. Kazimierz Banasik

Financing Source: Norwegian Financial Mechanism, EEA Financial Mechanism, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Implementation period: August 25, 2008 – April 30, 2011

The aim of the research project is in particular: Analysis of hydrological processes in the agricultural river catchment, including rainfall-runoff-transport of sediment and nutrients, leading to their mathematical description (i.e. development of a mathematical model), use of the developed procedure (mathematical model) for prognostic purposes for the conditions changing of the environment (as a result of changes in the use of the catchment area, as well as climate change), development of methods for reducing the concentration of nutrients flowing out of agricultural areas, reducing flood levels and the amount of sediment carried, and determining the impact of these parameters on maintaining good status in areas that are and / or designated for the network Natura 2000. For the purpose of collecting data for the created and verified procedures and mathematical models describing the analyzed processes, as well as for practical and demonstration purposes, the project provides for field research in the Zagożdżonka river catchment area, where the applicant (Department of Water Engineering and Environmental Reclamation) conducts hydrological research continuously for over 40 years and the Zwoleńka river catchment area. The mentioned rivers are the left tributary of the Vistula having their sources on the Radom Plain. A considerable length of Zagożdżonka flows through the areas of the Kozienice Landscape Park, while the Zwoleńka valley (without any hydrological records) in its lower course is a Natura 2000 area.

Project website: http://pol_nor.sggw.pl/

Development of methods of restoring the original water conditions of the Kampinos National Park in order to stop natural degradation and improve the state of biodiversity.

Project manager: Prof. dr hab. Inż. Stefan Ignar

Financing Source: Norwegian Financial Mechanism, EEA Financial Mechanism, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Implementation period: 01.07.2008-31.03.2011

The aim of the project is to identify the possibilities and limitations in restoring the marshy conditions of the Kampinos National Park. The implementation of this goal will also contribute to the achievement of the overall goal of increasing biodiversity by restoring marsh conditions. The proposed methodology of the project would allow to define the target state of the environment, take into account the existing water, soil and socio-economic limitations and to develop, as a final product, natural and technical assumptions for the planned restoration activities. The project is based on a partnership between entities from Poland – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (project coordinator), Kampinos National Park, Institute of Melioration and Grasslands, University of Warsaw, University of Łódź, Regional Ecological Center (REC) and Oslo University from Norway.

Project website: http://kampinos.sggw.pl/

Research on sediment and nutrient transport on the catchment scale.

Project manager: Dr. Ind. Leszek Hejduk

Financing Source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Implementation period: December 5, 2007 – December 4, 2010

The project is related to the European Cooperation in the Field of Scienctific and Technical Research – COST (European Cooperation in the Field Of Scienctific and Technical Research) within Action 869 entitled Mitigation Option for Nutrient Reduction in Surface Water and Groundwaters. As part of the project, research has been planned to analyze the processes of transport of diffuse pollutants from the agricultural area to the river in the catchment perspective. As part of the project, it is planned to conduct field tests including measurements of water quality in the river in terms of the concentration of selected forms of nutrients, in particular tests enabling better recognition of the relationship between sediment transport and nutrient transport, measurement of nutrient content in the topsoil in selected representative parts of the catchment area, analysis of the concentration variability and loads of selected forms of nutrients in the river runoff in dry and wet periods, and measurements of selected hydro-meteorological parameters (necessary for the forecast). The collected measurement data (and historical data) will allow the use of one of the models (eg AGNPS, SWAT) to forecast the impact of the location of critical nutrient sources (hot spots) in the catchment area. The research will be carried out in the Zagożdżonka River catchment located on the Radom Plain, on the edge of the Kozienice Forest, for selected measurement profiles. This catchment is characteristic of the area of central Poland, at the same time there are measurement data (however, they need to be supplemented), thanks to which it will be possible to use the models.

Project website: http://www.cost869.alterra.nl/

Counteracting water pollution – cooperation in the cross-border catchment area of the Bug River.

Project manager: Prof. dr hab. Inż. Józef Mosiej

Financing Source: Swedish Institute (SI)

Implementation period: 01/07/2007 – 30/06/2010

The project “Abatement measures to counteract water pollution – co-operation in the transboundary Bug river basin” implemented in the Visby program is financed by the Swedish Institute. In the implementation of the project coordinated by prof. Gunno Renman from KTH (Stockholm University of Technology) is attended by partners from Poland (SGGW), Belarus and Ukraine. The main goal of the project is to establish cooperation and create a platform for increasing research activity and exchange of experiences in the field of integrated water management for the improvement of the quality of the Bug River.

Protection of the biodiversity of the Red Swamp, a relic of the great raised bogs of Europe.

Project manager: dr hab. Inż. Tomasz Okruszko, prof. zw.

Financing Source: Norwegian Financial Mechanism, EEA Financial Mechanism, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Implementation period: 01.01.2007-31.12.2010

The aim of the project is to identify the ecological compounds of the Red Swamp, directly affecting the biodiversity of raised and transitional fens. The Red Marsh, an area of strict protection located in the Biebrza National Park, is one of the largest surviving transitional peat bogs in Central Europe. There are 20 plant associations, the entire ungulate mammals complex, incl. elk, red deer, wolf population and species of birds of prey disappearing in Central and Western Europe, i.e. golden eagle, greater spotted eagle, gadożer. The red marsh area is the oldest reserve in Poland dedicated to the protection of peatlands. Despite the great natural value, the richness of plant and animal species, the Red Swamp area has not been scientifically documented and mapped out so far. The subject of the project is, on the one hand, collecting information about this unique area and supplementing the spatial information system of the BNP, and on the other, identifying ecological relationships that determine the biodiversity of raised and transitional fens. The determination of the relationship between water, soil and plant communities as well as the relationship between ungulates and large predators will be the basis for all types of conservation measures. The results of the project in the form of reports, scientific publications, GIS information layers and proposals for possible actions will allow for the effective protection of the unique natural resources of the BNP and will enable a more effective restoration of degraded raised bogs and transitional temperate climates. As a result of the project, a nature film about the Red Swamp will also be created.

Project website: http://redbog.sggw.pl/

Water management development scenarios for Europe and neighboring countries.

Project manager: dr hab. Inż. Tomasz Okruszko, prof. zw.

Financing Source: 6 FP of the EU

Implementation period: November 1, 2006- October 31, 2010

SCENES is a 4-year project aimed at developing and analyzing a comprehensive set of scenarios for the future development of the freshwater situation in Europe until 2025, understood as the so-called “Greater” Europe, ie the area reaching the Caucasus and Ural mountains, as well as Mediterranean countries of Africa and the Middle East. The scenarios will provide a benchmark for long-term strategic plans for the development of European water resources, draw the attention of planners and other planning stakeholders to possible problems, and allow river basin managers to test regional and local water management plans for the uncertainties and surprises that arise. an integral part of the process of long-term strategic planning. The scenarios developed during the implementation of the SCENES project will be an important element in the development of regional water management strategies by identifying the requirements of the planning participants and decision makers and by involving all participants in the scenario building process. Real collaboration will be a key element in the research methodology and dissemination of results – an active process of interaction between science, policy and river basin management actors from different water use sectors will be ensured throughout the duration of the project.

Project websites: http://levis.sggw.pl/scenes/ www.environment.fi/syke/scenes

COST ACTIONS COMPLETED