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A new international study, published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, highlights the critical state of Europe’s rivers—and outlines a clear roadmap for accelerating their recovery. Professor Teresa Ferreira, a river ecologist and Chair of the Coordinating Council of the TERRA Associate Laboratory, is one of the study’s co-authors.
The figures are alarming: more than one million structures — including dams and weirs — fragment watercourses across Europe, around 90% of floodplains are degraded, and less than half of rivers meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. Despite the ambitious goals set by the European Union through the new Nature Restoration Regulation, turning political intentions into concrete actions remains a challenge.
The newly published study proposes a practical solution: a collaborative framework that directly links science to decision-making, helping to guide restoration efforts in various ecological and institutional contexts.
Drawing on contributions from experts in 45 countries, the authors identified 27 key priorities for restoring river ecosystems. Among the most important are:
Professor Teresa Ferreira’s participation in this international study — she currently chairs TERRA’s Coordinators’ Council — reflects her extensive experience in river ecology and the active role she has played in shaping river management policies and strategies in Portugal and Europe.
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DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0092/2020
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DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0092/2020