Resilient rivers

Rivers and streams crisscross our landscapes in a complex, widely connected network. This network is not static, but changes dynamically over time - seasonally, after major floods or droughts, and because of long-term developments (e.g., ice ages).

A wide variety of organisms has evolved in and along the stream network, using it as a habitat for feeding, sheltering, reproduction, and dispersal.

Human activities have altered rivers and streams directly and indirectly, both in terms of their form and structure (e.g., by fragmentation or channelization) and the organisms living in them (e.g., by fishing or forestry).

In the Resilient Rivers research project, we are investigating how key habitats for organisms (e.g., refugia during floods, stepping stones for connectivity) can be preserved and promoted for functioning biotic communities while at the same time ensuring flood protection for humans.

Project phase

2022-2026

Project leaders’ team

Anna Belser (FOEN, project coordination)
Giovanni de Cesare (PL-LCH EPFL)
Sabine Fink (WSL)
David Vetsch (VAW ETH Zurich)
Christine Weber (Eawag)

Advisory group

Cantons: Norbert Kräuchi (AG), Christian Marti (ZH), Cornelia Mayer (GR), Kristina Rehberger (BE), Thomas Stucki (AG)
Others: Tony Arborino (Expert-Conseil), Leslie Bonnard (naturaqua PBK), Tamara Ghilardi (CSD INGENIEURS SA), Lukas Hunzinger (Flussbau AG SAH), Esther Leitgeb (Aqua Viva), Matthias Mende (IUB Engineering AG), Andreas Stettler (SWV), Gregor Thomas (FOEN), Stefan Vollenweider (WA21)

Steering board

FOEN: Susanne Haertel-Borer, Benoît Magnin, Adrian Schertenleib
Research institutions: Robert Boes (VAW ETH Zurich), Rolf Holderegger (WSL), Paolo Perona (PL-LCH EPFL), Christoph Vorburger (Eawag)

Expert consulting FOEN

Isabelle Ambord, Diego Dagani, Katharina Edmaier, Christian Holzgang, Mario Koksch, Stephan Lussi Antoine Magnollay, Lea Mösch Oliver Selz, David Siffert, Markus Thommen

Products & Publications

  • Not available yet.

    • Fink, S., Belser, A., de Cesare, G., Weber, C., Vetsch, D., 2022. Resiliente Fliessgewässer: Refugien - Vernetzung - Trittsteine. Cours d'eau résilients: refuges - connectivité - relais. Nature et Paysage. Natur und Landschaft: Inside (2): 23-27.

    • Hagmann, K., Keller, C., Scheidegger, C., Stofer, S., Fink, S., 2023. Wasserflechten in alpinen Quell-Lebensräumen. Lichen aquatiques dans les milieux fontinaux alpins. Nature et Paysage. Natur und Landschaft: Inside (1): 24-28. pdf

  • Not available yet.

  • Not available yet.