Funding for research into better management of European lakes

The PLURALAKES research project has received a €1.5 million grant from the European water security programme 'Water4All'. The project focuses on improving lake management. Aafke Schipper, researcher at the Department of Environmental Science at uu77, is collaborating on the project with partners in the Netherlands (NIOO-KNAW), England (CEH), Finland (Syke) and Sweden (SRC).

Freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, are important for both biodiversity and human well-being. They are characterised by a variety of unique species and provide multiple ecosystem services, including water purification, food provision, and recreational opportunities. At the same time, lakes are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. For instance, only 10% of Dutch lakes have good ecological status, partly due to excessive algal growth that affects recreation, drinking water supply and biodiversity.

Desired future scenarios

Led by the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), the PLURALAKES research team is mapping how the ecological status of lakes can be improved in areas across the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom. The team is working with local partners to investigate:

The visions of stakeholders and how these can be incorporated into desired future scenarios for lakes
Practicable and sustainable strategies to achieve these future scenarios

About Water4All

Water4All is a European partnership focusing on research and development related to water security. Within the theme ‘Aquatic Ecosystem Services’ of Water4All, . The Dutch participation involves more than €1.25 million in total. Of this, €1.14 million is jointly funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Quality and Nature, and NWO, and €115,000 by the European Commission.

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