focuses on
quantitative description of hydrological processes in wetlands. The Centre main research
domain is collecting the hydro morphological data, data processing and hydrological
modelling. Question of the appropriate technique, methodology databases and models are of our
great interest. WP1 activity should lead in the first 6 month to exchange information and
capacity building of the Centre's staff for use of modern technology. On other side the
partner's visits should lead to getting acquainted with the sites features and Centre's
database. After the visits and tuning the subjects of interest, two workshops will be
organized: one on Biebrza Fen, where questions of land survey, measurements technique, data
bases and data exchange will be discussed. Second Workshop on Narew marshes will be devoted
to modelling aspects. The main question is model accuracy in simulating the flow in natural
rivers. Their non-homogenous morphology brings a lot of inaccuracy to model parameters, which
is reflected in models results. Importance of these features for model's use in water
management on wetland or catchment scale becomes obvious.
Additional tasks of the first workshop (WS1) are: preparing the first draft of teaching
materials for the short intensive course and upgrading the curricula of postgraduate and PhD
studies at Warsaw Agricultural University and assessment of the information materials for
distribution on the FP6 brokerage meetings. The additional output of second workshop (WS2)
will be formulation of the topics for the thematic conference.
details on wp1 :: top of the page
focuses on
reference sites and management of wetlands. The high degree of deterioration of European
wetlands causes problems in their restoration and protection by lack of reference sites,
where natural processes can be observed in appropriate scale. Proposed Biebrza Fen and Narew
Marshes, intensively investigated by the Centre in last years can serve as a test ground for
natural scientist. Questions of representatives of Biebrza and Narew wetlands for some
European ecoregions will be discussed during the bilateral visits. These talks will be
summarized on the first workshop (WS3) additionally to the main topic, which concentrates on
cooperation between hydrologist and ecologists. The main question of the accuracy of the
hydrological models and type of output useful for assessment of ecological processes will be
put on the table.
Second workshop (WS4) concentrates on wetland management, with special attention paid on
water depended agricultural practices, which are useful for wetland conservation.
Additional tasks of the first workshop (WS3) are: preparing the first draft of teaching
materials for the short intensive course and upgrading the curricula of postgraduate and PhD
studies at Warsaw Agricultural University and preparing the list of intention for networking
with groups interesting in forming the net of the wetland reference sites. The additional
outputs of second workshop (WS4) ill be formulation of the topics for the thematic conference
and evaluation of so far collected materials to be used in dissemination (workshops in
dissemination work package).
details on wp2 :: top of the page
aims on organizing the thematic conference. There are three main field of
interest:
1. Reference wetlands and European ecoregions
2. Modelling approach in hydrology and ecology of wetlands
3. Wetlands management.
The objective of the conference is oriented on capacity building of the wetland
professionalists and merging the effects of the hydrologist, ecologist and managers working
in wetland areas. Specific topics, invited speakers, cooperation with the professionals
organizations (IPS, IMCG, SER) and distribution list will be worked out in WP1 and WP2.
Dissemination of information about the conference will go through networking package.
The conference venue will be place of last assessment of teaching materials for continuation
of the short intensive courses (textbook), lecture notes for study program and reports for
the Ministries.
Core participants (e.g. invited speakers from the project members) will be paid from the
project. Other will come on their costs, additional subsidy from Polish Science Foundation
for organization is foreseen.
details on wp3 :: top of the page
leads to organization of the two short intensive courses (SIC1 and SIC2)
in wetland water management. The main target group is young western professionals, who are
able during the course observe the processes and full developed wetland ecosystems in their
natural conditions. Additionally participants will exercise on already identified in Centre
hydrological and hydroecological models of the area. Five days course will be divided on two
parts 3 days in the Biebrza Fen and two days in Narew Marshes. It gives the overview of all
main types of central and western European fen and marsh ecosystems.
Lecture notes will be developed out of existing materials (part of the developed in the
Centre Tempus courses on integrated water management) and as an output of WP1 and WP2 (more
focusing on wetlands management issues). Lecture notes will be worked out to the textbook
useful for organization of the similar courses after the project termination.
details on wp4 :: top of the page
should lead to the projects objective on capacity building of the Centre through the networking activity and capacity building through twinning with the two European centres Wageningen Knowledge Centre and University of Antwerp. The aims of networking are exchanging the information about activities in wetland hydroecology and wetlands management as well as forming a network of research group interested in European reference wetlands. Information useful for this task will be worked out in WP1, WP2 and WP3. On other hand networking will be used for the dissemination of results gained in above-mentioned packages.
details on wp5 :: top of the page
should strengthening the position of the Centre's in teaching activities at Warsaw Agricultural University at postgraduate level. Some optional courses and specialization are given during the study process. Activities in WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP4 will bring the additional teaching material useful in redefinition of curricula. Foreign specialists visit aiming on curricula evaluation and modernization should speed up this process. Lecture notes, models and teaching materials developed in this module will be used after project termination.
details on wp6 :: top of the page
is completely oriented on approaching by the centre the European Research Area developed in the course of FP6. Centre is aiming on giving at the disposal for the European scientists reference sites, measurement network, databases and models useful in research subjects of an impact of Climate Changes on ecosystem and/or sustainable development of areas dependent on water management. Activities in WP7 will allow us on presentation of the centre's achievements and capabilities on FP6 introductory meeting and present the chances and requirements of the FP6 for Polish scientists on brokerage workshop (WS5) organized together with the University Contact Point.
details on wp7 :: top of the page
is aiming on dissemination of the results of the project as well as knowledge transfer from the Centre's to the economical and social surrounding. The target groups are Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. Ministry of Environment in order to include the wetland conservation practices as a part of the Water Framework Directive implementation. It will be done through the part of the Ministry named Bureau of Water Management, which is a coordination unit of all seven Regional Water Boards. One workshop (WS6) and report for the Ministry are planned as an output. Second workshop (WS7) and report will be prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture in order present the issues of agriculture on this sensitive to disturbance areas. There will use Habitat Directive and Environmental pillar of Common Agricultural Policy as tools for the shaping agriculture on waterlogged areas as a part of conservation practices.
details on wp8 :: top of the page
concentrates on overall management of the project through the Centre management unit. The management unit will assure harmonic cooperation of different working group in proposal realization and achievement of foreseen objectives.
details on wp9 :: top of the page
Project planning and timetable (major events and deliverables)