In November 2013, a new COST Action entitled ŒConnecting European Connectivity Research¹ was approved by the European Union. This Action aims to connect researchers across Europe (and beyond) that study the concept of water and sediment connectivity. Successful prediction of pathways of storm runoff generation and associated soil erosion is of considerable societal importance, including off-site impacts such as water quality and the provision of related ecosystem services. Recently, the role of connectivity in controlling runoff and erosion has received significant and increasing scientific attention, though in a disparate and uncoordinated way. There is a wealth of experience and expertise in connectivity research across Europe that could be harnessed to ensure that the potential already demonstrated in key studies can be more widely fulfilled; to move forward along agreed lines and identify emerging goals, and to benefit from cross -fertilization of ideas from the fields of Hydrology, Soil Science, Geomorphology and Ecology. The key benefit of this Action will be to establish connectivity as a research paradigm. The Action will then permit transfer of current understanding into useable science, by developing from a sound conceptual basis and transferring into a series of monitoring and modelling tools that will provide the platform for indices that will allow holistic management of catchment systems.

This town hall meeting intends to inform and reach out to interested researchers on the ideas we have for the Action for the coming four years and start expanding the network we have now. In addition we would like to discuss possible interactions, cooperation and activities with scientistsfrom a wide range of disciplines including; hydrology, soil science, geomorphology, ecology, biogeosciences and natural hazards.