Resilient Rivers - Research and Management for Sustainable River Development under Climate and Landuse Change

Resilient rivers – Research and management for sustainable river development under the conditions of climate change and land use change are carried out at the river level, nationally and globally. The topics covered include hydrology/hydraulics, sediment transport and morphodynamics, ecology, and river management. The methods used include model experiments (in the BOKU River Lab), field measurements, numerical simulations, and theoretical considerations. Resilient rivers are rivers that are not immediately thrown out of balance by extreme events such as floods or droughts, but have buffer capacities (whereby the width of the river, the gradient, and sediment input are of central importance). The aim should be to achieve a balanced sediment balance and sustainable morphodynamics, where, for example, erosion or sedimentation of the riverbed do not dominate and the desired ecosystem services can be provided. The river ecosystem should be preserved and improved. To this end, uses such as hydropower and shipping must also be developed in a sustainable direction. Overall, resilient rivers are about integrating use and protection, with humans playing a central role and co-creation, co-design, and citizen science representing important cornerstones.