engleski

Grassroots ecology for Balkan rivers – a minimum-funds research network to produce region-wide evidence of hydropower impacts

Balkan rivers are experiencing a massive escalation in hydropower development unparalleled anywhere in Europe. This is largely prompted by the perceived need for renewable energy to fulfil a European Union Directive (2009/28/EC) through creating publicly subsidized investment opportunities. Decision- making processes sometimes lack evidence-based knowledge and ignore environmental and social impacts. This openly conflicts with Sustainable Development Goals since exceptionally widespread good hydromorphological status, high biodiversity, and significant potential for sustainable development prevail along rivers throughout the Balkans. Evidence-based planning integrating ecological, economic, social and cultural aspects is in some cases apparently not taking place. To address deficiencies in ecological data and risk assessment we here call for formation of a network of researchers motivated to produce scientific evidence for the ecological functioning of Balkan rivers and hydropower impacts. Our motivation is three- fold: (1) Demonstrating our wish to be heard as experts and our ability to produce scientific data that could support wise (trans)national decision-making ; (2) Assuming societal responsibility by pinpointing destructive impact and promoting conservation as senior experts while meaningfully fostering careers of young engaged colleagues ; and (3) Producing high- quality science with minimum means by collaboratively gathering data at a hitherto unachieved, sub-continental scale. We suggest campaigns aiming at collating data on selected key aspects of 4 domains of ecological knowledge: habitat properties, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem service provisioning. We search for senior partners and young scientists throughout the region and beyond, ready to contribute expertise, facilities and manpower – to produce ecological evidence at a scale matching the current plans for hydropower development.

Balkan rivers, hydropower development, research network, scientific data, habitat properties, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, ecosystem service

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