almost 80% of the earth surface has been altered by mankind

China Europa Forum, Hong Kong, July 2010

Healthy Rivers and the Implementation Healthy Rivers and the Implementation of Sustainable Water Resources of Sustainable Water Resources

ManagementManagementG. SYLAIOSG. SYLAIOS1,1, J. GUO J. GUO22 , M. HATZIAPOSTOLIDIS , M. HATZIAPOSTOLIDIS3,3,

11..Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, GreeceDepartment of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece2.Department of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, China2.Department of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, China

3.Prefectural Authority of Drama-Kavala-Xanthi, Greece3.Prefectural Authority of Drama-Kavala-Xanthi, Greece

Workshop ConclusionsWorkshop Conclusions

Angelika Kallia-Antoniou Angelika Kallia-Antoniou Attorney at LawAttorney at Law

Prof. European Environmental Law, Prof. European Environmental Law, School of Public Administration, GreeceSchool of Public Administration, Greece


Almost 80% of the earth surface has been Almost 80% of the earth surface has been altered by mankindaltered by mankind

Rivers have been amongst the most modified Rivers have been amongst the most modified aquatic systems. aquatic systems.

River water and coastal degradation are River water and coastal degradation are expected to continue in the future expected to continue in the future

due to the need for more food production and due to the need for more food production and increased water use.increased water use.


More water will be stored and used by dams,More water will be stored and used by dams,

thus affecting the functioning of river thus affecting the functioning of river

estuarine and coastal ecosystems. estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

Test cases presented in the workshop from Test cases presented in the workshop from Guadiana, Nestos, Yangtze and Danube Rivers Guadiana, Nestos, Yangtze and Danube Rivers revealed the impact revealed the impact

of freshwater impoundment of freshwater impoundment

due to dams.due to dams.


Adverse effects have been observed: Adverse effects have been observed: eutrophication, eutrophication,

river bank and coastal erosion, river bank and coastal erosion,

reservoir siltationreservoir siltation

to these river ecosystems to these river ecosystems

as a result of similar interventions. as a result of similar interventions.


Although differences exist Although differences exist

in the scales of processes andin the scales of processes and

impacts among the systems presented,impacts among the systems presented,

most problems are common, most problems are common,

Therefore a common approach Therefore a common approach

for their solution is required for their solution is required


Action to improvement must be taken Action to improvement must be taken

as climate change impactsas climate change impacts

are expected to addare expected to add

to the above adverse effects to the above adverse effects

produced by river damming. produced by river damming.

For the case of cascading dam systems, as the For the case of cascading dam systems, as the Three Gorges Dam (TGR) case,Three Gorges Dam (TGR) case,

it is evident that their present operation it is evident that their present operation principles principles

could be improved by tuning could be improved by tuning

to minimize environmental impact. to minimize environmental impact.


At the branches of TGR,At the branches of TGR,

eutrophication and soil erosion eutrophication and soil erosion

appear as the most significant problems. appear as the most significant problems.

Solutions to the above problems Solutions to the above problems

are yet to be addressed fully.are yet to be addressed fully.


Ecohydrology (EH) Ecohydrology (EH)

offers an innovative and cost-effecrive tool offers an innovative and cost-effecrive tool which can help minimize the impacts of the which can help minimize the impacts of the above effects,above effects,

by increasing the carrying capacity by increasing the carrying capacity

(sustain water, reverse biodiversity decline and (sustain water, reverse biodiversity decline and provide ecosystem services to society) and provide ecosystem services to society) and

by studying processes by studying processes

at the entire watershed scale. at the entire watershed scale.


In the case of dammed river systems,In the case of dammed river systems,

EH may tune their operation EH may tune their operation

in order to minimize their impact in order to minimize their impact

on water quantity on water quantity

and quality and quality

at the downstream part of the watershed. at the downstream part of the watershed.


Multi-purpose dams Multi-purpose dams

or series of small dams or series of small dams

could be considered as toolscould be considered as tools

to improve environmental conditions, to improve environmental conditions,

if separated by sections of the free-flowing river. if separated by sections of the free-flowing river. The use of constructed wetlands,The use of constructed wetlands,

the use of water-plants-soil interaction, the use of water-plants-soil interaction,

the regulation of hydrodynamics the regulation of hydrodynamics

to alter phytoplankton dynamicsto alter phytoplankton dynamics

are examples discussedare examples discussed

thoroughly in the workshop. thoroughly in the workshop.


The concept of Green Hydropower The concept of Green Hydropower

and the proposed indicatorsand the proposed indicators

should also be adopted as a tool linked to EH, should also be adopted as a tool linked to EH, assessing the effectiveness assessing the effectiveness

of the measures adoptedof the measures adopted

by the Hydropower companiesby the Hydropower companies

aiming to improve aiming to improve

the environmental functioning of the system. the environmental functioning of the system.


EU legislation could adopt these solutions, EU legislation could adopt these solutions, especially as a tool for improving especially as a tool for improving

the WFD requirementsthe WFD requirements

in river basins andin river basins and

associated estuaries and coasts. associated estuaries and coasts.

Adoption of the solidarity principle Adoption of the solidarity principle

expressed in the EU water legislation for expressed in the EU water legislation for neighboring countries or regions neighboring countries or regions

should be considered should be considered

to find appropriate solutions to find appropriate solutions

to common problems. to common problems.


Participants underlinedParticipants underlined

the significance of the involvement the significance of the involvement

and the contribution of Local and Regional and the contribution of Local and Regional Authorities (LRA). Authorities (LRA).

Thus, EU policy and legislation Thus, EU policy and legislation

on water management on water management

may be considered as a useful toolmay be considered as a useful tool

to be taken into account to be taken into account

by the China-EU by the China-EU

Forum.Forum.


Collaboration Achievements Collaboration Achievements


A project proposal A project proposal

for future co-operation for future co-operation

between the UNESCO Ecohydrology Group and between the UNESCO Ecohydrology Group and the Chongqing University the Chongqing University

has been developed, has been developed,

concerning the tributary branches of TGR. concerning the tributary branches of TGR.

The impact of TGR The impact of TGR

on tributary branches hydrology on tributary branches hydrology

and the problems of eutrophication and soil and the problems of eutrophication and soil erosion has been determined.erosion has been determined.


The proposal will be modified and adapted The proposal will be modified and adapted according to the resultsaccording to the results produced during the workshop produced during the workshop Within the context of diagnostic methodology Within the context of diagnostic methodology and the establishment of an early warning and the establishment of an early warning system for harmful algal blooms, system for harmful algal blooms, an initial agreement between an initial agreement between the University of Lodz,the University of Lodz, the UNESCO Ecohydrology Center and the UNESCO Ecohydrology Center and Chongqing University Chongqing University has been signed has been signed for further collaboration.for further collaboration.


Proposed Future ActionProposed Future Action


Both parts Both parts should look should look for funding opportunities for funding opportunities EU or EU or other financial instruments other financial instruments


More universities More universities and research institutes and research institutes should be involved should be involved to cover the trans-disciplinary to cover the trans-disciplinary and integrated approach and integrated approach and the large spatial scaleand the large spatial scale of the TGR system. of the TGR system.


Stakeholders Stakeholders as hydropower organizations, as hydropower organizations, local authoritieslocal authorities and NGOsand NGOs should also be involved should also be involved in the EH approach.in the EH approach.


The Erasmus-Mundus The Erasmus-Mundus

Master Program in Ecohydrology Master Program in Ecohydrology

could receive Chinese students could receive Chinese students

from Chongqing University,from Chongqing University,

offering scholarships offering scholarships

throughout theirthroughout their

postgraduate studies.postgraduate studies.


The UNESCO Ecohydrology Working Group The UNESCO Ecohydrology Working Group could expand and could expand and

include one or two eminent Chinese scientists include one or two eminent Chinese scientists from Chongqing University from Chongqing University

at the various types at the various types

of UNESCO meetings. of UNESCO meetings.

http://www.sgh.waw.pl/crpm_/r/grants/portal1/unesco.gif


Thank youThank you for your attention for your attention

oror感谢您的关注！感谢您的关注！

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