Module 4 – Scaling up freshwater restoration and Nature-based Solutions in Europe: an evidence-informed workflow

In this Module, you explore how the MERLIN Upscaling Workflow and web app can be used to plan, assess and prioritise freshwater restoration and Nature-based Solutions under the Nature Restoration Regulation with a focus on the Natura 2000 network.

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Learning outcomes

After going through this Module, you will ...

... understand the MERLIN Upscaling Workflow as a framework to translate policy targets into spatially explicit freshwater restoration actions, including its key phases (screening and planning).
... apply the Workflow to identify suitable restoration areas and determine the scale of intervention needed to achieve defined ecological and societal targets.
... understand how ecological modelling, ecosystem service assessment, and economic evaluation (e.g. Cost-Benefit Analysis) are combined to support evidence-based prioritisation and financing of restoration.
... identify representation gaps and prioritise restoration actions in line with the requirements of the Nature Restoration Regulation.
... navigate and analyse Natura 2000 data using the MERLIN web app, including Annex I habitats, species distributions and restoration indicators.
... interpret spatial data and assess restoration potential for freshwater habitats, including the key environmental factors influencing restoration success.
... apply the MERLIN web app to support strategic decision-making, including site prioritisation and the development of National Restoration Plans.

Course curriculum

1. General outline
1. Overview
2. The MERLIN Upscaling Workflow – introduction
3. The MERLIN Upscaling Workflow
4. How to model the biophysical and societal benefits of restoration – overview
5. Modelling societal benefits of freshwater ecosystem restoration
6. Quantifying and valuing ecosystem services of restoration
7. Quantifying and valuing ecosystem services of restoration: an illustration
8. How to finance restoration?
9. Examples for the financing of Nature-based Solutions
10. MERLIN Deliverable 3.7: Scaling up freshwater restoration and Nature-based Solutions in Europe: an evidence-informed workflow
11. The MERLIN Upscaling Workflow – figure
12. Sub-Module 4.1 – Test your knowledge
1. Overview
2. Overview of the MERLIN web app and its data
3. The MERLIN web app and its data
4. The MERLIN web app and its data – Test your knowledge
5. How to explore Natura 2000 sites
6. How to explore Natura 2000 sites – Test your knowledge
7. How to extract data
8. How to extract data – Test your knowledge
9. Restoration potentials in Natura 2000 sites
10. Restoration potentials in Natura 2000 sites – Test your knowledge
1. Summing up
2. Module 4 – Further reading

About this course

Free
25 lessons
0.5 hours of video content

And here are your instructors

Module 4 Manager Annette Baattrup-Pedersen

Annette is professor at Aarhus University, Department of Biology and chief consultant at NIRAS. She has comprehensive research expertise in freshwater ecology and substantial experience in implementing various restorative interventions, including nature-based solutions, to address societal challenges, including biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems.

Module 3 Manager, Module 4 Co-manager Josselin Rouillard

Josselin is a senior fellow at Ecologic Institute. A socio-economist by training, his work spans both academic research and consultancy services supporting the implementation of water, climate and agricultural policies in Europe.

Gerardo Anzaldua

Gerardo is a senior fellow at Ecologic Institute. His fields of work include water economics, innovation management, and conservation finance.

Instructor(s)

Xavier Garcia Acosta

Xavier is a senior scientist at the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA). His work focuses on sustainable water management and freshwater ecosystem services, integrating ecological, social and economic perspectives. He develops models and spatial analyses to assess and map ecosystem services and support restoration. His research also emphasises stakeholder participation and socio-ecological approaches to improve decision-making in water governance.

Nicolas Grondard

Nicolas is a researcher at Wageningen University. His fields of research are Natural Capital Accounting and Ecosystem Services, agri-environmental policies and Cost-Benefits Analysis of ecosystems restoration.