CASE STUDY 3
Main river basin
Location
The Main river basin is located in the center of Europe and Germany.
Key Facts
The Main river is a major European waterway, located in the heart of Europe. It is the largest eastern tributary to the Rhine river and connects the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Main-Danube canal, bridging the European water divide. The Main river basin is a densely populated and intensively used area of about 25,000 km² which is already subject to significant challenges and competitions for its water, land and energy. The effects of climate change are expected to lead to a strong increase of summer droughts and heatwaves due to significantly higher temperatures and a strong decrease of summer precipitation. At the same time, the risk of winter floods increases significantly due to heavier precipitation in this season. This will have considerable consequences for almost all actors in agriculture, forestry, water and energy management. A fundamental and forward-looking revision of available resource management measures is essential for ensuring a climate change resilient development of the region.
Actions
On the basis of an excellent database of authorities and enterprises of the region as well as already existing own simulations with process-based, spatially distributed models, the ARSINOE approach is to be transferred to the region. Relevant innovations arise from a close cooperation and joint method development between science, authorities, municipal companies, actors of agriculture and forestry, or nature and environmental protection associations. The aim is to create a cross-sectoral understanding of the diverse consequences of the dynamic climate development and to provide new services and user-oriented tools for data analysis and modelling.
Expected impacts
The nexus-vision of integrated water, land and energy resources management is implemented in operation plans of businesses and agencies to take appropriate measures to reach sustainability targets and ensure ecosystem functioning and integrity. The project will have an immediate and enduring impact on the communication culture among the various stakeholders in the river basin. The multi-sectoral dynamics framework will raise awareness about specific user needs and the necessity to integrate actions to counteract the unavoidable effects of climate change in accordance with the goals of the European commitment to the Green Deal.
Partners involved
