Research

DANSER project aims to address the urgent need for sustainable sediment management at a river basin scale, focusing on the Danube River-Black Sea system and targeting large-scale deployment and impact already in the mid-term (2030). Through the demonstration of innovative and holistic solutions to gain deeper insight into the sediment status and cause-effect relations, this project seeks to restore sediment balance, improve sediment flow and quality, and integrate such actions and knowledge with the EU and Worldwide counterparts. In an ample coverage throughout DEMOS, Associated Regions (AR), Expert Advisors, clear articulation with the Danube Lighthouse initiatives and the Mission Ocean orientations, together with pro-active synergies with twin projects, stakeholders and communities, the DANSER approach will respect and duly build upon previous projects and the most relevant guidance documents produced therewith to develop, validate and promote key passive and active measures to mitigate human interference in the sediments natural flow and possibly recover on its balance and quality in critical stretches of the basin.

In the project the historical development of the cultural landscape and land use change in the Swabian Alb biosphere area will be investigated. Land use change since around 1800 is being recorded. Historical maps serve as the basis for the creation of GIS shapefiles and enable spatial visualisation and analysis. In addition to the quantitative map evaluation of different land use types, the relevant literature on the development of cultural landscapes is analysed in order to explain the land use changes. One focus is the development of former land use in today's core zones of the biosphere area and the designation of historically old forest areas based on old maps since around 1800 in today's core zones.

The European-wide important mussel population of Unio crassus in the Amstettner Mühlbach is being analysed using the e-DNA method from water samples. The orientation of the project is both fundamentally orientated and also includes approaches to solutions for applied questions. Module 1 (Optimisation of the documentation of FFH species in a larger spatial context) tests and evaluates e-DNA samples for their usability in the context of nature conservation issues such as the occurrence of protected species, e.g. in acute water interventions such as flood protection structures, etc., as well as an essential tool for field mapping of protected organisms. Module 2 - Impact of mussel populations on aquatic ecology issues such as purification performance and effects on the nutrient content of watercourses is intended to deepen basic knowledge of ecosystem services in the context of nature-based solutions and is anchored more in basic research.