Das Projekt "Stream network expansion and contraction - patterns, controls and importance (STREAMEC)" wird/wurde gefördert durch: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung. Es wird/wurde ausgeführt durch: Universität Zürich, Geographisches Institut.Temporary streams are very common, also in humid climates, and often represent a substantial portion of total stream length. However, temporary streams are generally not included in stream monitoring networks and hydrologists have, so far, largely ignored them. As a result, little is known about the hydrological responses of temporary streams and the factors that control the occurrence of flow in temporary streams. Connectivity of previously disconnected stream segments can result in sudden increases in streamflow and significantly alter stream water quality in downstream perennial streams. For the latter, it is especially important to note that organic material and other substances that might have accumulated in the channel during periods of no flow, might be flushed out at the onset of flow in temporary streams, causing a water chemistry dynamic that is different from that of constantly flowing streams. It is thus important to study how and when connectivity between flowing sections of the temporary stream network is established and what controls the occurrence of flow in temporary streams. The overall aim of the proposed research is to explore these aqua temporaria incognita. This will provide a better understanding of temporary streams and their importance for spatial and temporal variations in runoff and stream water quality in headwater catchments. This will be done by detailed field experiments in two pre-Alpine headwater catchments. We will map the presence of flowing water in temporary streams using an array of low costs sensors, time-lapse cameras and traditional mapping techniques to study how connectivity of flowing stream reaches is established and what topographic and landscape factors control the occurrence of flow seasonally and during different events. We will use the occurrence of flow in the stream network as an indicator of subsurface flow and hillslope-stream connectivity in order to better understand the precipitation and groundwater level thresholds that control runoff generation. This is a novel way to obtain information on the spatial variability of the temporal controls on subsurface flow generation. Finally, by monitoring the onset of flow and connectivity of stream reaches and simultaneous sampling of water chemistry in temporary streams during events, we will determine how connectivity of the temporary stream network affects downstream water quality.
Das Projekt "Policies and research for an integrated management of urban sustainability (PRIMUS)" wird/wurde gefördert durch: Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften Brüssel. Es wird/wurde ausgeführt durch: ICLEI - Local Goverments for Sustainability, Europasekretariat GmbH.The PRIMUS project has been designed to bridge the gap between research on the European level on one hand, and policy-making at (and for) the local level on the other hand. The theme chosen for this 36-months coordination action is 'sustainable urban management', thus covering the way how the various policy areas of urban development (energy/water/waste, transport, planning and design, social inclusion, etc) are integrated, rather than one of these themes in particular. This focus is based on the assumption that the decoupling of environmental degradation and economic growth can only be achieved through a better management and governance of the largely inter-dependent issues of urban development. Indicators and information systems, efficient and effective policy processes, and innovative public participation are the main instruments to set ambitious targets, gain wide acceptance, and implement behavioural changes in society. The project is built around a series of events of different nature - so-called Connection Fora, Linkage Fora and Implementation Fora - linking into and building upon each other. They convene local governments from across Europe, researchers in the field of urban sustainability management, and national ministries and agencies dealing with sustainability policies directed at the local level in their respective Member States. A pilot dimension of the project is the 'explorative application' of two selected research-based tools for sustainable urban management by some 100 local governments throughout Europe. This application should explore the connectivity between research and policy-making and deliver criteria for its general enhancement in other thematic areas and in the future. With the European Report on Urban Sustainability - the first of its kind and derived from this explorative application - PRIMUS will demonstrate the fascinating potential of a better connectivity between research and policy-making.
Das Projekt "Vernetzung von Lebensräumen bei der Gestaltung von Verkehrsträgern" wird/wurde gefördert durch: Bundesamt für Straßen, Forschung Straßen-Brücken-Tunnel. Es wird/wurde ausgeführt durch: Kaden und Partner AG.Projektbeschreibung: Die Barrierewirkung von Verkehrsträgern ist heute gut bekannt. Lösungen in Form von Wildtierpassagen wurden ausführlich in den Normen 640 690a, 640 691a 640 692, 640 694 beschrieben. Weniger bekannt ist, dass verschiedene begleitenden Infrastrukturteilen, wie Lärmschutzwänden oder Entwässerungssystemen Mortalität verursachen können. Neben Literaturrecherche und Befragungen von Fachleuten aus dem Strassen- und Schienenbau sowie der betroffenen Tiergruppen, werden in einem repräsentativen Strassen- bzw. Schienenabschnitt bestehende Konfliktstellen und allfällig bereits realisierte Lösungen systematisch erhoben und beurteilt. Das Forschungsprojekt soll bestehende sowie neue Lösungen überprüfen. Als Resultat soll ein Produkt zur Verfügung stehen, welches als Grundlage einer neuen VSS-Norm dienen kann. Projektziele: Evaluation von Problemen und Konflikten der Fauna mit ergänzenden Infrastrukturteilen (Lärmschutzwänden, Straßenentwässerungen, etc. ) von Verkehrsträgern und Aufzeigen von Lösungswegen.