Fieldworks are proceeding in several RECONECT demonstrators, to better design and monitor NBS.
A detailed geological survey started in these days by the University of Genoa (involved in RECONECT as sub-contractor of CNR-IRPI) in the catchments San Fruttuoso and Paraggi of the Portofino Natural Park, Italy (Demonstrator A). The survey aims to produce a large-scale geological map (1:2000) of the studied areas. The fieldwork follows a naturalistic and biodiversity survey carried out this summer by personnel from the Italian Portofino cluster and Liguria Regional Authority. Both activities are essential for an effective design of NBS and baseline monitoring.
Meanwhile, the University of Innsbruck is conducting fieldwork together with local partners in the catchment Geroldsbach-Götzens, (Inn River Basin, Austria, Demonstrator B). NBS implementations as afforestation and reforestation started in the catchment since the early 1950ies. Runoff processes and benefits of long-term NBS are evaluated and demonstrated using a combination of monitoring and modelling approaches. This summer, different activities are carried out in the catchment within RECONECT: soil moisture sensors installations, soil profile surveys, monitoring of the runoff behavior at the rainfall plots, Geroldsbach water level measurement.
Image 1-2: Geological Survey in Portofino; Image 3-4: Fieldwork in the Geroldsbach-Götzens catchment