‘Aquatic Environment’ programme

Capturing fish (photo INBO)
Details
...Various policy instruments relate to the aquatic environment and provide guidance for research. Examples include: the Nature Decree, the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Water Framework Directives (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Blueprint for European Waters, the Exotic Species Regulation, the Eel Regulation, the Benelux Decision on Fish Migration, the Ramsar Convention, OSPAR, the Scheldt Treaties, the Long-Term Vision for the Scheldt Estuary, the Sigma Plan Update, the Nature Restoration Law, etc. In addition, there are other initiatives we are committed to, such as the Flemish Blue Deal, Resilient Waterland and the PFAS Action Plan.
The main pressures on the aquatic environment are: climate change, invasive species, pollution, fragmentation, flood risk management, shipping and fishing. In order to provide scientifically sound and ecologically relevant boundary conditions, management and restoration measures, we investigate the interactions between organisms and their environment in relation to various stressors. Through overarching analyses of existing databases with high spatial and temporal coverage at various Flemish institutions, we evaluate current policy frameworks and simulate the effects of different policy options.
INBO investigates the functioning, sustainable use and restoration of water-related ecosystems and species. We develop objectives, indicators, efficient measurement strategies and assessment frameworks to evaluate the ecological status and trends in time and space more accurately. In addition, we breed endangered fish and amphibians and develop scientific (re)introduction plans to support species protection programmes and achieve conservation objectives.
We collaborate with various national and international actors, knowledge platforms and project groups, as well as with the consultation structures of the Integrated Water Management Commission (CIW). In this way, we ensure that our scientific expertise on biodiversity, ecosystem services (ESD) and nature-based solutions is effectively integrated into practice and into Flemish water policy.
Status | Running |
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Actual start/end date | 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2029 |
Teams
- Management Team
- Species Diversity
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest
- Estuaries
- Environment and Climate
- Aquatic Management
- Nature Report and Advice Coordination
- Freshwater Habitats
- Monitoring and Restoration of Aquatic Fauna
INBO Research theme(s)
- Data & infrastructure
Participants
Maarten StevensJeroen Speybroeck
Erika Van den Bergh
Gerlinde Van Thuyne
Alexander Van Braeckel
Anik Schneiders
Willy Huybrechts
Bart Vandevoorde
Daniel De Charleroy
Luc De Bruyn
Paul Quataert
Luc Denys
Toon Van Daele
Jan Breine
Johan Coeck
Dries Adriaens
Piet De Becker
Gunther Van Ryckegem
David Buysse
Ine Pauwels
Pieter Lemmens
Jeroen Van Wichelen
Erika Van den Bergh