natural area

In the past, rivers flows have been modified through channelisation, embankments or modification of river beds. Those modifications were aiming at flood prevention or supporting changes of agricultural practices for example. This has led to uniformed flows in the rivers and often having effect on the water time transfers. Current practices for revitalisation of flowing waters are trying to create the conditions for diversifying the water flows, inducing more diversity in habitats for fauna but also increasing the water time transfers in order to prevent flash floods in the downstream areas for example.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

A gabion (from Italian gabbione meaning "big cage"; from Italian gabbia and Latin cavea meaning "cage") is a cage, cylinder, or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building, and military applications.

Lakes are by definition water retention facilities; they store water (for flood control) and provide water for many purposes such as water supply, irrigation, fisheries, tourism, etc.ﾠ In addition, they serve as sinks for carbon storage and provide important habitats for numerous species of plants and animals, including waders.ﾠ In the past, lakes have sometimes been drained to free the land for agriculture purposes, or have simply not been maintained and have silted up.ﾠ Restoring lakes is re-introducing them where they have been in former times or revitalising them.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

To ease the overall functioning of the river, some hydrographical network elements could be reconnected, including the so-called hydraulic annexes. This will allow for improvement of lateral connectivity, diversifying flows and habitats, but also cleaning the secondary arms that play a key role for retention in high water periods.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

AGR stores large quantities of water in underground aquifers to increase the quantity of groundwater in times of shortage.ﾠ It results in a lowering of run-off from surrounding land, and in an enhanced natural condition of aquifers and water availability.ﾠ The natural cleaning process of water percolating through the soils when entering the AGR improves water quality. Mechanisms used to undertake the recharge should be highlighted. In this respect one can envisage:(i) surface structures to facilitate/augment recharge (such as soakways and infiltration basins);(ii) subsurface indirect recharge - artificial recharge is undertaken through wells drilled within the unsaturated zone;(iii) subsurface direct recharge - artificial recharge is undertaken through wells reaching the saturated zone. The regulatory approach to be adopted for each of the above three mechanisms could differ considerably, due to the fact that the level of natural protection to groundwater is vastly different for each of the mechanisms

Basins and ponds store surface run-off.ﾠ Detention basins are free from water in dry weather flow conditions but ponds (e.g., retention ponds, flood storage reservoirs, shallow impoundments) contain water in dry weather, and are designed to hold more when it rains.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Levelling longitudinal barriers allows re-establishing fluvial dynamics and ecological continuity. The aim is to restore the slope and longitudinal profile of the river, to restore natural water flows, to allow for the solid transport (sediment) to take place, toﾠ diversify flows (depth, substrate, speed), diversify habitats and related flora and fauna.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

The sloping side of any hollow in the ground, especially when bordering a river. (Source: CED)

The suppression of lateral constraints consists in removing some bank protection in order to enhance lateral connection of the river, diversifying flows (depth, substrate, speed), diversify habitats but also capping floods in the mainstream.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

A biophysical parameter is a measurable characteristic that can help in defining a particular system. It can cover individual substances, groups of substances or be defined by its measurement method like turbidity or the mesurement of oxygen consumption like BOD5 or COD. It is generally expressed by a value and its unit.