New publication: Final project report

Download the report here: https://www.naturvardsverket.se/publikationer/7100/978-91-620-7149-3/

Summary

This report presents our research project EcoDiver, funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The project was conducted as a collaboration between Lund University and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).

The main thesis has been hydrodiversity, where the diversity of hydrological units, such as wetlands, lakes, rivers and groundwater, within a catchment area interact and affect the catchment's ability to cope with climate change, such as increased precipitation, drought and temperature variations by providing various ecosystem services.

The project studied the hydrological functions of wetlands, such as regulating flow during floods and droughts, and their role in climate adaptation. The project has used hydrological models, field measurements and laboratory analysis to investigate how wetlands affect water quality, water balance and biodiversity in river basins.

The project has also developed methods and tools for model-based decision support and for measuring and optimizing wetland ecosystem services, which are the benefits that wetlands provide to the environment and society. The project has used economic, social and ecological indicators to evaluate the contribution of wetlands to, among other things, carbon dioxide uptake, treatment of polluted water, erosion control, recreation and education.

The project has based its research on five case studies of different wetland types in Scania. These case studies have been chosen to represent different hydrogeological conditions, wetland sizes, restoration measures and landscape contexts.

The project has also disseminated its knowledge to various stakeholders, through seminars, workshops, publications, and collaborations. The project has involved researchers, authorities, municipalities, university students, landowners, and schools in dialogue and collaboration on the importance and potential of wetlands for environmental management.