WELCOME to the European NWRM platform

The EU Directorate General Environment promotes the use of nature-based green infrastructure solutions (official website) and this is progressively included in a range of policies of which for water. A range of activities and related relevant information portals are also available on climate change (Climate Adapt), on biodiversity (BISE), on forest (FISE).

As detailed on DG Environment official webpage, "Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) support Green Infrastructure by contributing to integrated goals dealing with nature and biodiversity conservation and restoration, landscaping, etc."

The current platform gathers information on NWRM at EU level. NWRM are green infrastructures applied to the water sector, which permit to achieve and maintain healthy water ecosystems, and offer multiple benefits.
From this page you can find out more about NWRM definition, browse NWRM related concepts, look for individual NWRMs or select them by benefits, access the practical guide that will help you find your way to implement NWRM, or directly access the different products: synthesis documents, catalogue of measures, catalogue of case studies. For easy navigation, please consult the user's guide. If ,you would like to have an overview on what this website could bring you, you can Access all main documents and datasets

You can also join us on LinkedIn and access the NWRM community of practice gathered on our discussion forum, and you can submit a case study...

NEW: Access new French case studies

 

Wetland (measure)

Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/04/2015 - 12:04
Definition

Wetlands restoration and creation can involve: technical, spatially large-scale measures (including the installation of ditches for rewetting or the cutback of dykes to enable flooding); technical small-scale measures such as clearing trees; as well as changes in land-use and agricultural measures, such as adapting cultivation practices in wetland areas.ᅠ Wetland restoration can improve the hydrological regime of degraded wetlands and generally enhance habitat quality. (Creating artificial or constructed wetlands in urban areas can also contribute to flood attenuation, water quality improvement and habitat and landscape enhancement).
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Water sensitive driving

Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/04/2015 - 12:04
Definition

"Water sensitive driving" requires an awareness of the wet areas (mires, peatlands, etc.) in the landscape and an ability to avoid them while conducting forestry operations. Water sensitive driving is focussed primarily on minimizing water quality impacts of forestry including nutrient leakage and an increased potential for methylmercury formation.

Urban forests parks

Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/04/2015 - 12:04
Definition

Urban forest parks or protected areas provide multiple benefits including increased water infiltration, pollutant filtration, reductions in peak flow and maintenance of base flows. Urban forests also have many other aesthetic, biodiversity and quality of life benefits.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

DEFINITION

Natural Water Retention Measures are multi-functional measures that aim to protect water resources and address water-related challenges by restoring or maintaining ecosystems as well as natural features and characteristics of water bodies using natural means and processes. […]

Source: “EU policy document on Natural Water Retention Measures”, WG PoM, 2014)

 

full definition

Case studies

Measures have been implemented in the field.
To see examples of implementation see the catalogue of case studies or click directly on the map below.

Catalogue of case studies

DECISION SUPPORT FOR NWRM IMPLEMENTATION

Information on benefits, costs, effectiveness, financing etc. included in the three following categories:


Partners

Logos of all partners of NWRM project