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Natural/Small Water Retention Measures (NSWRM) operate at the intersection of water management, agriculture, soil conservation and climate adaptation. Because of this multifunctionality, their assessment within OPTAIN contributes analytically to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is important to clarify that OPTAIN does not monitor SDG compliance. Instead, it provides structured modelling and indicator-based analysis that demonstrates how retention measures can support progress toward relevant sustainability objectives.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 6 aims to improve water quality, reduce pollution and increase water-use efficiency. Within OPTAIN, catchment-scale hydrological modelling (SWAT+) evaluates how selected retention measures influence:
- Nitrogen and phosphorus transport
- Surface runoff dynamics
- Sediment mobilisation
These outputs are linked to tailored environmental indicators, allowing structured assessment of how retention strategies may reduce diffuse agricultural pressures. By integrating optimisation protocols, the analysis also explores combinations of measures that maximise nutrient reduction at catchment scale.
This modelling-based evidence supports discussions aligned with SDG 6 objectives related to improving water quality and enhancing water resource management.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
Climate resilience is central to SDG 13. OPTAIN integrates climate scenario simulations into modelling workflows to assess how retention measures perform under projected changes in rainfall intensity and drought frequency.
This enables evaluation of:
- Runoff regulation under extreme rainfall
- Soil moisture stability during dry periods
- Long-term robustness of measure combinations
By incorporating future climate pathways into optimisation analyses, the project highlights the importance of forward-looking adaptation planning rather than relying solely on historical conditions.
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
Retention measures can influence agricultural productivity through changes in soil moisture, erosion control and nutrient dynamics.
Field-scale assessments and socio-economic indicators evaluate:
- Effects on crop yield stability
- Trade-offs between environmental benefits and farm-level performance
- Economic attractiveness under different management scenarios
This analytical framework allows exploration of how sustainable land management practices can support food production while reducing environmental pressures.
SDG 15 – Life on Land
Soil erosion reduction and improved hydrological balance contribute to ecosystem stability. Modelling of sediment dynamics and soil–water interactions provides structured insights into how retention measures may reduce land degradation risks.
By linking these outputs to environmental indicators, OPTAIN strengthens the understanding of how local land management decisions relate to broader biodiversity and soil protection goals.
Integrated SDG Perspective
A key contribution of OPTAIN lies in demonstrating the interconnected nature of SDG objectives. Multi-objective optimisation analyses reveal synergies and trade-offs between water quality improvement, agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
This integrated perspective reinforces the importance of harmonised policy approaches capable of recognising the multifunctional contributions of NSWRM.