Floodplain ecosystems comprise a mosaic of shifting habitats (forests, river channels and alluvial aquifers) with high interdependency. Flood pulse, hydrological connectivity and geomorphological dynamics are key factors for high species diversity and productivity, complexity in successional trajectories and importance of ecotones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Most rivers in Europe have been drastically altered by dams and reservoirs, canalisation, reduction of the wetland area, eutrophication and various other land-use developments. After a very long period of destruction of floodplain integrity, the need for protecting and restoring alluvial ecosystems slowly became apparent over the last 3 decades. The symposium « European floodplains 2002 » follows a series of meetings focusing on such topics. A first international symposium was held in Strasbourg in 1980. It resulted in a common statement adopted by the 94 researchers from the represented countries. This text instigated Recommendation R(82)12 on the alluvial forests of Europe approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The main theme of the Symposium in Strasbourg, will be «Assessment of long-term river management on floodplain forest and grassland, and lateral arms ecology».
MAIN THEMES :
Natural functioning of floodplains : biodiversity, biogeochemistry, river-groundwater exchanges, aquatic ecosystems.
Evaluation of responses of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to river management.
Synthesis of existing knowledge on floodplain protection and restoration.
Partnerships between scientists, decision-makers, government agencies, conservation bodies and managers in order to improve floodplain protection and restoration.
SYMPOSIUM STRUCTURE : The symposium begins with an excursion to nature reserves along the Rhine (Erstein, France) and to Altenheim polder in Germany. Following this trip, there will be a three-day plenary session. The third day will be organised on the theme of “Impact of natural flood defence on functions and range of wetland habitats (forest, river). Action to protect existing habitats and restore others. Examples from large European river plains (Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Elbe, Loire)”. The last day was a second day-excursion in France (confluence Sauer-Rhine, nature reserve) and in Germany (Rastatt reserve)
NEW AGENDA
Sunday, July 7
16:00-18:00 : Registration at the Botany Institute, University of Strasbourg, 28 rue Goethe.
Monday, 8
8:30-12:.00 : Field-trip to the Erstein nature reserve (France).
12:00-14:00 : Lunch.
14:00-18:00 : Field-trip to the Altenheim polder (Germany).
Tuesday, 9
8:30 – 9:15 : Symposium opening by H Geiger Adjoint au Maire chargé de l’Environnement Ville de Strasbourg
Welcome – J.M. Michel (Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire et de l’Environnement Direction de la Nature et des Paysages) and
M Trémolières – Introduction, Objectives of the symposium
M. Déjean-Pons -Council of Europe
9:15-12:30 Topic I : An overview of protection and conservation state of european alluvial ecosystems Chairwoman M Trémolières
9:15 – 9:45 R Carbiener – The Rhine
9:45 – 10:15 J. L. Michelot – The Rhône
10:15 – 10:45 F. Sartori – The Pô
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 E. Dister – The Danube
11: 45 – 12:15 S. Muller -The Meuse
12: 30 -14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 18:10 Topic II : The natural functioning of floodplains
Chairman : E. Dister
14:00 – 14:30 C. Amoros -Biodiversity in former channels of temperate rivers : patterns and processes
14:30 – 15:00 A. Schnitzler – Alluvial forests of cold temperate climate and warm temperate climate Rhine and Mississipi. A comparison of specific richness
15:00 – 15:20 P. Huggenberger – Temporal and spatial behavior of the riparian zone as a key issue for the understanding of biophysical processes between river and groundwater
15:20 – 15:40 H. Volk – Biodiversity on Central Europe’s larger flood plains
15:40 – 16:00 L. Schmitt, Nobelis P., Maire G. & Trémolières M. – Hydro-geomorphological typology of the alsatian Rhine floodplain watercourses and distribution of the aquatic macrophyte communities
16:00-16:30 Coffee break
Chairwoman : A. Schnitzler
16:30 – 16:50 C. Arnold, Gillet F. & Gobat J.M. – Ecology of the wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera ssp.) in European floodplain forests and implications in conservation or reintroduction}}
16:50 – 17:10 N. Barsoum & Muller E.- Proportion of clones in different-aged Populus nigra stands growing along a semi-constrained meandering reach of the Garonne River, France
17:10 – 17:30 J.Branciforti & Muller S. – Alluvial grassland avifauna : interests of a multi-scale approach for habitat selection studies, implications for ecological management
17:30 – 17:50 A.F. Deiller, Walter J.M. & Trémolières M. – Contrasted species richness and diversity in three Rhine alluvial forests : the role of ecological and random factors ?
17:50- 18:10 D. Thoen & Hérault B. – Deciduous forests and spruce plantations in the floodplain of the Semois (Belgium) : a comparison of species diversity and regenerating potentialities
18:30 Reception at the “Hotel de Ville” , Strasbourg
Wednesday, 10
9:00 -12:35 Topic III: Human impacts on large river plains of porno gratis
Chairman : F. Sartori
9:00 – 9:15 Session opening: H. Geiger Adjoint au Maire chargé de l’Environnement Ville de Strasbourg
9:15 – 9:45 M. Reich – Metapopulations structures in riverine landscapes
9:45 – 10:15 J. Bailey – The invasion of the alien Killer-Knotweeds? – problems, potentials and perspectives
10:15 – 10:45: M Trémolières – Change in aquatic phytocenoses in the former lateral arms of the Rhine according to the degree of connection
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
Chairman : R. Carbiener
11:15 -11:35 S. Hohensinner, Egger G., Haidvogl G., Jungwirth M., Muhar S. – Hydrological connectivity as a central aspect of natural floodplain functioning: the Danube River in the Austrian Machland 1812 and 1991
11:35 – 11:55 Y. Kvet & Prach K. – Sustainable Functioning of the Floodplain of a Small Central European River
11:55 – 12:15 Ir. A.Remmelzwaal – The ecological effects of floodplain lowering 12:15 – 12:35 I. Leyer – Modelling plant species responses to hydrological regulation in floodplains
12:35 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 -18:10 Topic IV: Rehabilitation and restoration
Chairman : M. Reich
14:00 – 14:30 R.S.E.W. Leuven, Lenders H.J.R. & de Nooij R.- Impact of floodplain reconstruction measures on riverine biodiversity
14:30 – 14:50 A.D. Buijse & van der Molen D.T. – Assessing the benefits of floodplain rehabilitation along the lower River Rhine (the Netherlands)
14:50 – 15:10 L. Maman – From the knowledge of the Loire fluvial ecosystem functioning to concerted actions in restoration
15:10- 15:30 C. Roulier & Thielen R.- Protection and revitalisation of alluvial zones in Switzerland: state of the art
15:30 – 15:50 H.A. Wolters, Platteeuw M. & Schoor M.M. – Guidelines for rehabilitation and management of floodplain : ecology and safety combined
15:50 – 16:00 Poster presentation
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee break
Chairman : C. Amoros
16:30 – 16:50 U. Menke – ECRR (European Centre for River Restoration) and its importance for Transboundary Water management
16:50 – 17:10 M. Eiseltova & Pokorny J. – Restoration of water and matter retention functions of a floodplain ecology and economics, the Stropnice river catchment, Czech Republic
17:10 – 17:30 M.P. Vecrin, Grevilliot F. & Muller S.- Soil seed bank contributions to restore alluvial meadows after a cultivation stage
17:30 – 17:50 E. Muller, Barsoum N. & Guilloy H.- The decline of riparian woodlands along the Garonne river: is restoration still possible?
17:50 – 18:10 L. Triest, S. Viaene, K. Van Puyvelde, J. Barker, A. King, J. Gloessl, C.Arnold, G. Vendramin – How different are riparian willow vegetations in upstream and downstream floodplains of major European rivers when considering their genetic diversity ? Implications for the conservation of their naturalness
19:00 Organ concert at the Strasbourg Cathedral
Organist – C. Schnitzler
Thursday, 11
9:00 – 12:00 Topic V. Rhine alluvial ecosystems
Chairman : J. Kvet
9:00 – 9:15 Session opening – D. Hommel Conseil Régional d’Alsace
9:15 – 9:35 W. Bücking – Ecological survey of the Rhine floodplain forests: background for the conservation of the Rhine forests
9:35 – 9:55 R. Boeuf – Phytoecological approach in the analysis of the French alluvial forests
9:55 – 10:15 A. Douard & J.P. Irlinger – Conservation management in the nature Rhine reserves
10:15 – 10:30 Poster presentation
10:30 – 11:00 : Coffee break
Chairman : W. Bücking
11:00-11:20 F. Lonchampt – Peri-urban forests : the case of a nature reserve close to the city of Strasbourg
11:20 – 11:40 H. Hasle – Conservation and restoration of habitats along the upper Rhine.
11:40 – 12:00 G. Thiébaut , Garbey C., Klein J.P., Peltre M.C., Muller S. – Aquatic macrophyte communities as descriptors of disturbances. Application to the River Moselle
12:00 – 12:20 E. Langlois, Ernout A. & Alard D. – Spatial dynamics of biodiversity in floodplains : the lower Seine valley
12:20 – 12:30 Poster presentation
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00-16:30 Topic VI: Examples of European alluvial floodplains
Chairman : J. Bailey
14:00 – 14:30 E. Gauthier – The stakes of revitalisation of the Loire River (France)
14:30 – 14:50 K. Follner, Scholz M. & Henle K. – Indication of ecological changes in riverine wetlands of the Elbe
14:50 – 15:10 J. Varadi & P. Bakonyi – More room to the Tisza River
15:10 – 15:30 E. Schneider & D. Detlef-Diringer- Ecological restoration of the lower Danube and the Danube delta
15:30 – 15:50 W. Lazowski – Restoration and water management programs concerning relic Danube floodplains of Vienna (Lobau, Danube Floodplain National Park) – Perspectives of a specific ecological situation
15:50 – 16:10 U. Schwarz – The Kopacki Rit along the confluence of the Drava-Danube rivers : a unique European floodplain reference.
16:10 Coffee break
16:10-17:30 Poster session
17:30-18.30 : Symposium conclusions with the participation of Eladio Fernandez Galiano – Council of Europe .
Friday, 12
8:30-18:00 Excursion to Rastatt reserve (Germany) and Reserve of Sauer Delta (confluence with the Rhine, France)
Departure: Place de l’ Etoile, Strasbourg
Oral communications can be made in French or in English. Simultaeous translation will occur in this meeting
audio-visual material available :
overheads, Slides, videoprojection (under powerpoint 97),
Only on PC with CD rom, no zip disk or zip drive