Cross-scale and integrative prioritization of multi-functionality in large river floodplains

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Management
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Floodplains offer vital ecosystem services (ES) but face significant threats and diverse regional uses.
• Increasing pressures for flood protection, water resources, biodiversity, and climate adaptation necessitate multi-functional floodplain management.
• Integrating diverse societal interests and legal principles poses challenges to current management approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an innovative framework for integrated floodplain management based on ES multi-functionality and stakeholder engagement.
• To develop a science-based decision-support tool for prioritizing adaptive management measures at basin and local scales.
• To test the framework's applicability and limitations in the Danube River Basin.

Main Methods:

• Conducted large-scale evaluations of anthropogenic pressures and ES capacities across the Danube River Basin.
• Employed participatory modeling of local socio-ecohydrological systems in three case study areas.
• Assessed 14 ecosystem services and 8 anthropogenic pressures to inform management recommendations.

Main Results:

• Recommended specific conservation, restoration, and mitigation measures for different sections of the Danube River and its tributaries.
• Found general alignment between stakeholder perceptions and large-scale ES/pressure assessments.
• Demonstrated potential to enhance multi-functionality across scales through synergistic ES relationships and jointly modeled local measures.

Conclusions:

• Integrated floodplain management can be enhanced by combining top-down prioritization with bottom-up participatory approaches.
• Trade-offs exist, primarily with terrestrial provisioning ES and local recreational activities.
• Effective and inclusive ecosystem-based management requires utilizing commonalities and learning from discrepancies between different approaches.