Freshwater glossary

In the past, various activities were undertaken to straighten rivers, such as the stabilisation of river banks with concrete or other types of retention walls.ﾠ Such actions limited rivers natural movements, leading to degradation of the river, increased water flow, increased erosion and decreased biodiversity.ﾠ Natural bank stabilisation reverses such activities, allowing rivers to move more freely.ﾠ Where bank stabilisation is nevertheless necessary, such as in residential areas, natural materials such as roots or gravel can be used.ﾠ Natural materials are preferable as they allow water to infiltrate into the bank.ﾠ They also provide better living conditions for aquatic fauna. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Nitrate, NO-3, is the main nitrogen containing anion occurring in the soil. It is very soluble and moves freely in water through the soil profile. Nitrate in water is a pollutant above certain concentrations and can be a danger to human health. The main source of nitrate in water is agriculture although sewage discharges can also be an important factor.

Value of those alternatives foregone when implementing a NWRM.

Ditch blocking in managed peatland forests can be used to slow water and trap sediment after forest harvesting. The ditches can be made of wood logs or gabions, for example. - Elaborated by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Engineered ponds in peatlands that have been ditched to enhance forest production have the potential to retain water in the landscape and trap sediment without adversely affecting tree growth. Such measures have the potential to limit hydrograph peaks and potentially reduce flooding associated with snowmelt. - Elaborated by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Phosphates from agriculture are an important contributor to phosphorus loading on water bodies. Phosphorus is considered to be a limiting factor in the process of eutrophication that can generally be regarded as the enrichment of surface waters by nutrients which causes overgrowth of algae and weeds. The result is deoxygenation of waters that can kill fish and other aquatic life. Algae growth can also be a hazard to human health.

Small-scale depressions used for storage and infiltration, typically at a property-level and close to buildings (e.g. to infiltrate roof drainage at a property level). - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Collecting and storing rainwater for subsequent use for example, using water butts or larger storage tanks. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

In the past, rivers have been straightened by cutting off meanders (historically, many rivers in northern and western Europe have been straightened and channelized to facilitate log floating and/or speed up the drainage of water and control/limit the river bed movements).ﾠ Re-meandering is bringing a river back closer to its naturally meandering state by creating a new meandering course and by reconnecting cut-off meanders.ﾠ Re-meandering slows down the flow of a river.ﾠ The new form of the river channel creates new flow conditions and very often also has an impact on sedimentation.ﾠ The newly created or reconnected meanders also provide habitats for a wide range of aquatic and land species of plants and animals. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

From the perspective of natural water retention measures (NWRM), reconnection is the process of improving hydrological connection in the landscape, both through linking water bodies and through improving the connectivity between rivers and their adjacent floodplains. Reconnection can make use of historical and currently water channels to restore previously existing hydrological connectivity and functioning.

Reduced stocking density will limit soil compaction, thereby facilitating more rapid infiltration during precipitation events and potentially reducing peak flows and sediment runoff. - Elaborated by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Afforestation of reservoir catchments can have multiple benefits. It can reduce sediment inputs from the catchment, lengthening the life of the reservoir, and may also have beneficial effects on water quality in some cases when peatlands are afforested. Afforestation can reduce peak flows and help to maintain base flows. The benefits of afforestation must be balanced against the potential for increased evapotranspiration from a rapidly growing forest. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

The cost linked the economic or relative scarcity of water once it is used.

Restoration is a management action or set of actions with the aim of restoring natural hydrologic functioning ﾠin the landscape. Restoration of natural functioning can contribute to an environmental balance in water management. NWRM implementation can either be an enhancement/improvement of the natural hydrologic functioning ﾠin the landscape or a restoration action.

Ponds or pools with additional storage capacity to attenuate surface runoff during rainfall events.ﾠ Retention time of runoff can provide the capacity to remove pollutants through sedimentation and opportunity for biological uptake of nutrients. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

In the past, rivers flows have been modified through channelisation, embankments or modification of river beds. Those modifications were aiming at flood prevention or supporting changes of agricultural practices for example. This has led to uniformed flows in the rivers and often having effect on the water time transfers. Current practices for revitalisation of flowing waters are trying to create the conditions for diversifying the water flows, inducing more diversity in habitats for fauna but also increasing the water time transfers in order to prevent flash floods in the downstream areas for example. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Planting and maintaining tree cover in near-stream areas can have multiple benefits including erosion and nutrient leaching control. They will also slow the stream velocity during high flow flood events and may have beneficial effects on stream temperature. Maintaining treed forest buffers during clearcutting can help minimizing the adverse effects of forestry on water quality and may have additional biodiversity benefits. - Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

1) Terrestrial areas where the vegetation complex and microclimate are products of the combined pressure and influence of perennial and/or intermittent water... and soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics. 2) Zone situated on the bank of a water course such as a river or stream.

The channel containing or formerly containing the water of a river.