Danube
Lead:
University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (DFEE), Dr. Christian Griebler (Scientific Research Area Manager)
Cooperation Partners:
BOKU, TU Wien/RCWH
Relevant stakeholders:
Nationalpark Donau-Auen, MA45, MA31, Land NÖ, viadonau, ÖBF, Verbund
Research focus
Changes in connectivity affect river-floodplain systems worldwide. Connectivity affects biogeochemical processes, biodiversity, the provision of ecosystem services, and water quality. The Danube floodplain stretch downstream of Vienna offers the unique opportunity to observe the effects of river connectivity and pulsing of riverine discharges on a surface-groundwater coupled system and to analyse the effects of river restoration measures. Aspects of a concerted conservation of biodiversity as well as microbiological quality and health-related water safety of the groundwater resources (e.g. for drinking water production) will be addressed.
Research questions
- How do different extents of connectivity within riverine landscapes, in particular the dynamics of groundwater – surface water interactions, control biodiversity patterns and ecological processes (nutrient and carbon cycling) at different scales (longitudinal and lateral aspects)?
- How do these dynamics affect the microbiological quality of surface and groundwater with respect to safe usage (e.g. bathing water and groundwater for drinking water production)?
Monitoring sites
- 2 surface water (SW)
- 2 groundwater (GW) monitoring sites
planned or already existing in the floodplains of the Danube River (planned: Obere Lobau, Schönau or Orth an der Donau; existing: Untere Lobau – Kreuzgrundtraverse)
Univ.Prof. Dr. Christian Griebler
Scientific Research Area Manager
Faculty of Life Sciences, Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna
+43-1-4277-76416
christian.griebler@univie.ac.at
