Environmental assessment of the Vjosa riverscape as the basis for an integrated water management and sustainable catchment development

The project aims to establish a long-term research cooperation between Albanian and Austrian universities in the field of water management. Specifically, it is about the study of the Vjosa river system in Albania as a basis for its sustainable development. The Vjosa River and its tributaries represent a dynamic river ecosystem characterized by a near-natural flow regime and largely undisturbed dynamics. Both the high abundance of endangered landscape types and the high biodiversity underline its value at the EU level. The project further aims based on a catchment-oriented research program the assessment of sustainable management options. It also aims to mutually strengthen an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach at all participating research institutions. There are four overarching research themes: Monitoring and understanding of the basic physical regime; Conservation of the functions of the Vjosa River landscape for biodiversity; Ecosystem dimensions related to clean water, an important fluvial ecosystem service; Interactions between science and society for sustainable development. To achieve the project objectives, the following activities are planned: Application of remote sensing techniques and modeling of hydrology, geomorphology, etc.; Joint field studies to investigate river structure, habitat distribution and development, vegetation, groundwater, ecosystem processes, and aquatic and terrestrial fauna and flora; The establishment of an ongoing monitoring program; Specific long-term studies of groundwater ecology, habitat use, nutrient cycling, etc. These interdisciplinary field operations are accompanied by data integration workshops and information workshops with NGOs and government institutions. This project achieves an immediate significant improvement of the data base and a profound understanding of the functioning of rivers at the catchment level. In the long term, the knowledge base for decision-making and public and institutional awareness will be increased.