Center of Excellence in Wetland Hydrology — WETHYDRO
The overall objective of the WETHYDRO project is to increase the scientific potential of the Department of Hydraulics Engineering and Environmental Recultivation (DHEER) through increased international cooperation and by expanding its role as a regional centre of excellence in wetland hydrology. The project activities will also facilitate integration of the Centre of Excellence within the European Research Area within the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme in the "Global Change and Ecosystems" and water cycle priorities. Results of the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU Habitat Directive and Water Framework Directive in NAS countries. The project will also contribute to increasing awareness amongst the public, technical staff and other stakeholders of the role of wetlands in integrated water resources management.
The scientific research interest of the Centre are focused on two areas: hydrological
modelling of wetlands and coupling this hydrological knowledge with ecological and management
issues. In the first research domain the Centre collects hydro-morphological data, processes
data and carries out hydrological modelling. The main objectives in this area are:
assessments of the measurement techniques for riparian wetlands; GIS and RS techniques for
the land use mapping in waterlogged areas; evaluation of hydrological models for their
accuracy in modelling water flows in natural rivers and floodplains. In the second research
domain the Centre focuses on reference sites and management of wetlands. The main objectives
are: deriving nature protection goals including the anthropogenic influences (e.g. extensive
agriculture) and their impact on water management (in wetlands and in the catchment);
defining terms of sustainability for wetland areas.
The Centre plans to develop through: staff exchanges, networking and training with leading
specialists and research centres of EU and NAS countries.
The Centre aims to successfully participate in FP6 projects in the field of the impact of
climate change on ecosystems. Participation in FP6 will ensure further scientific advances in
the understanding of hydro-ecological processes gained in the Centre as well as consolidation
of the field laboratories and database of Biebrza Fen and Narew Marshes.
Implementation of the project activities will increase the scientific potential of DHEER and expand its role as a regional centre of excellence in wetland hydrology. Envisaged effects of the Centre will be positively related to the social needs of Poland and other NAS countries. Disseminated research results of the Centre will be useful for sustainable development of the agricultural areas in regions related to nature protection activities. They also will be applied for developing master plans of these areas allowing for stimulation of sustainable development. Both, Biebrza National Park and Narew National Park will use the Centre's results for integrated management of park resources. Project results will be disseminated by the subunit for continuing education, which will develop and deliver retraining courses for local administration.