On this page, you will find a variety of popular water related themes and topics of your interest. The pages are updated from time to time so we invite you to explore them. They will give you easy access to general, as well as more detailed information and provide you with references to further information.
Water resources of Europe
On average, Europe has plenty of water to meet its needs, but large differences in climate makes water much less abundant in southern than in northern Europe. Our changing climate is likely to make the differences more extreme.
Rivers and their floodplains
Floodplains are a very important part of the river system because when in their natural state they deliver multiple important ecosystem services and offer protection in a changing climate. Today, they are, however, widely environmentally degraded.
Free-flowing rivers
Healthy free-flowing rivers allow free movement of water, sediment, fish and other organisms. However, for several decades, human interventions have disrupted river connectivity and degraded river ecosystem functioning. In Europe, very few free-flowing rivers remain.
Hydromorphology
Natural hydromorphology refers to the hydrological, morphological and river continuity conditions of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters in undisturbed state. Natural hydromorphology is crucial for the good functioning of the aquatic environment. The restoration of aquatic ecosystems largely depends on restoring hydromorphological conditions to a more natural state.
