Research

Africa’s great rivers sustain diverse ecosystems, thriving fisheries, and millions of livelihoods. However, changing river flows and hydro-morphological alterations—driven by water abstraction and infrastructure development—are transforming these river systems, with profound consequences for biodiversity, fish productivity, and human well-being. This project investigates how anthropogenic changes impact aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, and food security across major river basins. We track spatial and temporal changes in large African rivers, combining remote sensing, ecological monitoring, and hydrological modeling to assess the effects of flow alterations and land use change on river-floodplain connectivity, fish production, and water quality. Additionally, we conduct basin- and floodplain-level hydro-morphological assessments to evaluate how modifications in river structure, sediment transport, and habitat availability influence biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Our research integrates large-scale biodiversity and fisheries assessments, using extensive datasets on fish presence, distribution patterns, and key threats to evaluate biodiversity status and conservation priorities at the regional level. Furthermore, we map hydropower and renewable energy infrastructure, and study how river flow alterations affect aquatic ecosystems. This project focuses on multiple lines of evidence to provide a comprehensive understanding of the changing dynamics of African rivers. Our findings will support sustainable water and fisheries management, conservation strategies, and policy decisions, ensuring that Africa’s rivers remain vital lifelines for biodiversity and human well-being in a rapidly changing environment.

Restoration projects in floodplains require fundamental knowledge of the natural river morphological spatial requirements of the various river systems. In this project, the following ecologically relevant spatial units are identified and delineated for all Austrian rivers with a catchment area of more than 100 km²: (1) potentially natural floodplain zone, (2) flowed through river arms (active channel), (3) fluvially dynamic floodplain area, (4) historically designated alluvial forest sites, (5) historically designated wetlands (meadows, pastures, bogs), and (6) arable land historically strongly influenced by adjacent river arms. Historical maps (cadastre) and current geodata, which are evaluated using GIS, serve as a basis. The aim is to provide a sound basis for the discussion and planning of renaturation measures on Austria's rivers and for the “Floodplain Strategy Austria 2030+”.

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.