TERRA lab maps EU priority areas for freshwater restoration

Researchers at the Associate Laboratory TERRA have developed a map identifying, across the European Union, where restoring rivers, lakes and wetlands could deliver the greatest benefits to society. The methodology, published in the journal Ecosystems and People, combines data on ecosystem condition with their capacity to provide services such as flood regulation, water supply and biodiversity support. It aims to overcome the limitation of restoration projects planned only at a local scale. The tool comes as Portugal, the third EU country to submit its National Restoration Plan, and other member states move from planning towards implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which sets a 2030 target of restoring at least 20% of EU land and sea areas.