Thematic areas and themes

1. INTER - AND TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN SENSITIVE AND PROTECTED AREAS
Telecoupling frameworks for studying distant socio-ecological systems
Integrated (socio-hydroeconomic-climatic) modelling for selecting sustainable, cost-effective actions and management strategies
Physical and socioeconomic characterization of sensitive areas and vulnerable zones to identify key factors influencing pressures and water use
Drought and/or flood risk and vulnerability assessment
New aspects in hydrological analyses under the influence of climate change
Studies on the interaction between groundwater and surface water
Characterization and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater
Environmental and socio-economic impacts of natural or man-made hazards
Assessment of the combined effects of toxic and/or persistent contaminants on sensitive soils and groundwater
Assessment of the environmental and potential health impacts of pharmaceutical residue pollution
Assessment of environmental and potential health effects of pollution from antiviral treatment agents COVID -19
Environmental and potential health impact assessment of pollution from micro- and nanoplastics

2. EFFECTIVE WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT IN SENSITIVE AND PROTECTED AREAS UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE
Development of early warning systems to deal with extreme climate conditions
Drought and/or flood preparedness and mitigation options
Nature-based solutions for flood and drought management
Development and implementation of drought policies and plans at various levels
Functional aquatic ecosystems in the fight against climate change
Water and/or wastewater management under extreme climatic conditions
Impact of climate change on pathogens in drinking water
Treatment and disposal of by-products from water disinfection processes
Water loss management
Wastewater collection and treatment
Sewage sludge management
Science-policy interfacing to cope with extreme climate conditions

3. BIODIVERSITY AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS - BRINGING NATURE BACK INTO OUR LIFE
Integrated biodiversity and ecosystem services assessments
Integrated modelling tools to support decision making on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable development
Restoration of freshwater ecosystems in sensitive and protected areas
Natura 2000 and aquatic species protection
Ecological indicators and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems
Ecological assessment as a basis for sustainable freshwater management
Disentangling the multiple stressors in the aquatic environment
Enabling nature-based solutions for healthy freshwater ecosystems and water security
Free-flowing rivers with functional floodplains and wetlands
Impacts of invasive alien species on freshwater ecosystems
Application of the "One Health approach"
Net gain in biodiversity and biodiversity protection measures

4. WATERS IN SENSITIVE COASTAL AREAS
Seawater intrusion studies
Groundwater protection concepts and strategies
Risk reduction strategies for natural or man-made hazards
Multilevel governance of protected areas
Integrated coastal zone management

5. CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMENDMENT OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK RELATED TO SENSITIVE AND PROTECTED AREAS
Development of strategies for the conservation and management of ecosystems and ecosystem services
EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy/Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) objectives: mainstreaming the framework's architecture into country-level policies
Application of managed groundwater recharge
Incentives for more efficient management of water losses
Water reuse
Use of sewage sludge
Contributions to amendments of "watch lists" for surface and groundwater
Chemical monitoring to assess the combined effects of toxic and/or persistent pollutants, taking into account seasonal variations
Removal of micropollutants in wastewater treatment plants
Innovative solutions for the removal of persistent chemicals, PFAS, micropollutants, nanopollutants, and pharmaceuticals in wastewaters
Measures for the removal of emissions at the source
Measures to address pollution from large industrial facilities
Application of the 'user pays' and 'polluter pays' principle to prevent and eliminate environmental damage