H2020 'PHUSICOS': Nature-based solutions to reduce hydro-meteorological risk in rural mountain areas

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are "inspired and supported by nature. They are cost-effective and simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience" (EU, 2015). The main objective of the H2020 project PHUSICOS is to demonstrate the implementation of nature-based solutions to reduce the risk of extreme weather events in vulnerable areas such as rural mountain landscapes. To meet this aim, three large-scale demonstration sites have been selected in Tuscany, Italy, The Pyrenees, France/Spain and the Gudbrandsdalen Valley, Norway as representative of hydro-meteorological hazards, vegetation, topography and infrastructure throughout rural and mountainous regions in Europe. Additionally, two small-scale concept cases are established in Kaunertal Valley, Austria and the Isar River Basin, Germany to test specific challenges. This presentation focuses on the three large scale demonstrator sites.

PHUSICOS started in 2018 and over the four-year period each demonstrator site shall propose and implement at least three NBS projects each. At present 9 NBSs have been proposed.

The Italian proposals, organized by Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale, ADBS, relate to the pollution, drought, erosion, and land degradation around lake Massaciuccoli in Tuscany. The measures are related to reduce the runoff from farmland to the channels and the lake, as well as to reduce the high salinity of the lake. Proposed measures include feeding water from the Serchio River to the lake, and the establishment of vegetation buffer strips between the farmed land and the channels and retention basins.

In the Pyrenees, the proposed measures, organized by Consorcio de la Comunidad de Trabajo de los Pirineos, CTP, are to reduce risk from several hydrometeorological hazards; flooding and torrents, erosion, snow avalanches and rock fall. The measures include afforestation to reduce snow avalanche release, modification of river banks and beds to reduce torrent hazard, revegetation to reduce erosive rock fall from till deposits, and the use of local wood to prevent release of rock fall as well as forest management to reduce block velocity and runout.

The Norwegian NBS proposal, organized by Oppland County Administration, is to reduce flooding, erosion, and problematic redeposition in a confluence zone between a tributary and the main river. The measure is a green, receded barrier, to provide flooding space for the river and secure adequate conditions for the riparian vegetation and several red-list species.

PHUSICOS aims to involve stakeholders in Living Lab processes at the demonstration sites and has succeeded to different degrees depending on the starting point of the NBSs towards their implementation. Baseline surveys of key monitoring parameters are also being performed for selected measures at the three sites.

The main challenges include getting the most representative stakeholders involved in the Living Lab process, and, perhaps most important, adhering to the local laws and regulations, including environmental and tendering processes. These local regulations are already delaying the progress towards implementation of the measures within the time frame of PHUSICOS. The presentation will elaborate on the selected NBS, their co-benefits and on the challenges, which may be limiting factors for such projects.