Definition
technical & biophysical
Definition
The sponge functions of a landscape refer to its ability to soak up, store and slowly release water.
It is possible to distinguish 3 sponge functions:
1. Intercept rainfall where it falls and stimulate infiltration into the soil;
2. Slow down the runoffthat has formed on the surface, is drained from groundwater, or is accumulated in streams;
3. Temporarily store excess water in the soil, groundwater or surface water bodies.
Sponge functions of a territory play the role of regulator of water. They lye at the heart of a complex system of interconnected physical processes, binding all actors and sectors together (see illustration scheme). The parameters within these sponge loops are numerous. We have become champions at monitoring them separately in every sector, while clearly seeing that they are intrinsically linked. If we organize ourselves to positively activate sponge loops, we unlock a chain reaction of benefits in favour of water availability, quality, safety, food production and biodiversity, all at once.
Sponge functions are context-specific and must be evaluated for a myriad of different hydrometeorological events, ranging from annual floods and droughts to more extreme events. The greater the sponge functions in the landscape, the more rainwater can be stored and/or used by vegetation, and surface runoff slowed, thus reducing or avoiding flooding downstream. However, it is important to note that sponge functions are not unlimited. Once full, a sponge can no longer store water to reduce the impact of floods, and once empty, it can no longer provide water in the event of a drought, yet for more frequently occurring events, this approach will contribute to the reduction of impacts both in space and time.
Definition
River restoration is the set of actions that reinstate natural hydrological and geomorphic processes and reconnect a river with its floodplain and groundwater so ecosystems can self-organise. Process-based principles guide design toward causes rather than symptoms, matching actions to a site’s potential, acting at the right spatial scale and defining expected dynamics. In Europe, WFD implementation and the Biodiversity Strategy operationalise this through measures that improve continuity for water, sediment and biota, re-establish ecological flows, and recover hydromorphology. Toolkits developed by REFORM, ECRR and partners translate these principles into practice and monitoring. Outcomes typically include improved habitat diversity, water quality co-benefits, floodplain storage and resilience to extremes, when measures are sequenced within a catchment-scale plan.
Source: ECRR - What is (ecological) river restoration ?
Definition
Nature-based solutions aim to help societies address a variety of environmental, social and economic challenges in sustainable ways.
They are actions which are inspired by, supported by or copied from nature.
Some involve using and enhancing existing natural solutions to challenges, while others are exploring more novel solutions, for example mimicking how non-human organisms and communities cope with environmental extremes.
Nature-based solutions use the features and complex system processes of nature, such as its ability to store carbon and regulate water flow, in order to achieve desired outcomes, such as reduced disaster risk, improved human well-being and socially inclusive green growth. Maintaining and enhancing natural capital, therefore, is of crucial importance, as it forms the basis for implementing solutions. These nature-based solutions ideally are energy and resource-efficient, and resilient to change, but to be successful they must be adapted to local conditions.
Definition
<p>The biophysical environment is the biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development and evolution. The biophysical environment can vary in scale from microscopic to global in extent. It can also be subdivided according to its attributes. Examples include the marine environment, the atmospheric environment and the terrestrial environment. The number of biophysical environments is countless, given that each living organism has its own environment.</p><p>The symbiosis between the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment includes all variables that comprise the Earth’s biosphere.</p><p>The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories: the natural environment and the built environment with some overlap between the two. Following the industrial revolution the built environment has become an increasingly significant part of the Earth's environment.</p><p>The scope of the biophysical environment is all that contained in the biosphere, which is that part of the Earth in which all life occurs.</p><p>When narrowed down to the aquatic environment, and particularly in the context of the Water Framework Directive, these are often referred to as water quality, water quantity and hydromorphology.</p>
Definition
<p>A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil. Its purpose is any or all of the following:</p><p>· to conserve moisture</p><p>· to improve the fertility and health of the soil</p><p>· to reduce weed growth</p><p>· to enhance the visual appeal of the area</p><p>Mulching as NWRM is using organic material (e.g. bark, wood chips, grape pulp, shell nuts, green waste, leftover crops, compost, manure, straw, dry grass, leaves etc.) to cover the surface of the soil. It may be applied to bare soil, or around existing plants. Mulches of manure or compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms. The process is used both in commercial crop production and in gardening, and when applied correctly can dramatically improve the capacity of soil to store water.</p>
Definition
Within the framework of natural water retention measures (NWRM), urban planning refers to the application of the "Grey to Green" principle within cities. The specific focus of urban planning for NWRM is to achieve sustainable water management by mimicking natural functions and processes in the urban environment.
Definition
Water retention covers a wide set of mechanisms (see synthesis document n°1) the effect of which are to increase the capture of water by aquifers, soil, and aquatic and water dependent ecosystems.
More precisely it refers to capabilities of catchments (including wetlands, rivers and floodplains but also other land areas) to hold or retain as much water as possible during periods of abundant or even excessive precipitation, so that water is available for use during dry periods and runoff peaks are minimized.
Definition
Nitrate, NO-3, is the main nitrogen containing anion occurring in the soil. It is very soluble and moves freely in water through the soil profile. Nitrate in water is a pollutant above certain concentrations and can be a danger to human health. The main source of nitrate in water is agriculture although sewage discharges can also be an important factor.
Definition
Phosphates from agriculture are an important contributor to phosphorus loading on water bodies. Phosphorus is considered to be a limiting factor in the process of eutrophication that can generally be regarded as the enrichment of surface waters by nutrients which causes overgrowth of algae and weeds. The result is deoxygenation of waters that can kill fish and other aquatic life. Algae growth can also be a hazard to human health.