People and Projects Solving Freshwater Restoration Challenges

EcoAdvance European Project

Showcase category ➤ Recreating Freshwater Ecosystems

GERMANY

Manuel Wewer

TU Dresden (Hydraulic Engineering)

Restoration Engineers / Consultants / Practitioners
My Projects

Optimization of Land Use along Waterways and Agricultural Areas for Sustainable Development in the Dresden Region (OLGA)

    • Key project facts
      Project Duration: April 1, 2020 - August 30, 2025 
      Lead Coordinator: City of Dresden, Mayor's Office 
      Project Partners:
      • Technical University of Dresden (various departments)
      • Environmental Center Dresden e.V.</pli
      • Biomasse Schraden e.V.
      • Various agricultural and environmental organizations
    • What impact did these projects have on biodiversity, if any?

      Improved aquatic habitats and macrozoobenthos diversity through short-rotation plantations along waterways.

      Enhanced aquatic/no-aquatic habitat connectivity via "green-blue networks".

    • What work challenges did you face and what approach did you take to solve them?
      Modeling Challenges: 
      • Integration of water temperature into transient habitat models
      • Complex hydrodynamic modeling (2D-HN)
      Measurement Challenges: 
      • Continuous monitoring of microclimatic parameters
      • Model validation with field data
    • What lessons learned are transferable to other places/projects?
      The integration of the influence of riparian vegetation on river hydraulics in 2D-HN modeling.
My Focus and Approach
My Journey
  • My journey:

    My journey began at the Technical University of Dresden, where I pursued a degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Protection. Now, as a research associate at TU Dresden, I contribute to the OLGA project, which aims to improve the quantification of river restoration measures while exploring the potential of riparian agroforestry systems for sustainable land use.

  • My Education:

    I hold a diploma in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Dresden, specializing in Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Protection.

  • The Big Change:

    The work on the OLGA project contributes to changes in the region by fostering sustainable land use practices and improving river ecosystems. It addresses the disparities between urban and rural areas, promotes biodiversity, and enhances community engagement in environmental stewardship. The project also aims to strengthen regional economic cycles by integrating agricultural production with ecological preservation.

  • Favourite part of the work I do:

    I enjoy the interdisciplinary collaboration between various research areas (hydraulic engineering, forest botany, biodiversity) and the close cooperation with municipalities, farmers and local stakeholders. I also enjoy spending significant time in the field, particularly for water monitoring activities.

Interview

Language: German

Key Topics:

Key Topics

These relate to specific topics (e.g. technical solutions; restoration activities etc.) addressed within the showcase materials.

  • Waterway Management (WFD, Flood protection)
  • Sustainable Land Use
Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated:

Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated

These are the Prone2Success checklist factors which are highlighted within this showcase. More information on the Prone2Success checklist can be found here.

  • Measurable goals to improve ecological status
  • Supports WFD, NRL and other restoration policy goals
  • Communicate/engage with stakeholders from the outset
  • Obtain sufficient finance for all project stages
  • Include long term monitoring
  • Ensure stakeholder understanding / education of restoration goals & benefits
  • Demonstrate specific ecological improvements/legal compliance / communicating results during and after the project
  • Take climate change into account
NRL Restoration Categories:

NRL Restoration Categories

These are the restoration categories (listed under Annex VII of the European Nature Restoration Law (NRL) which are relevant to this showcase.

  • [2] Improve hydrological conditions
  • [9] Establish riparian buffers
  • [22] Improve connectivity across habitats
  • [32] Reduce pollution (chemicals, urban/industrial wastewater, litter, plastics)
Resources
Videos

OLGA | Gewässerentwicklungsmaßnahme am Mortelbach | M. Wewer (IWD) & IFH

Peer reviewed papers
Acknowledgements & Links

Many thanks to the entire OLGA team and to the funding organization: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany (BMBF)

Back