The team is involved in large-scale projects in environmental restoration:
Concerning the Old Rhine, all the results of the ongoing geomorphological monitoring underline the need to widen the Old Rhine downstream of gravel augmentations. This confirms some results already obtained during the INTERREG project Redynamisation of the Old Rhine completed in 2012. The LIVE is positioned to co-pilot with the managers (Grand Est Region, DREAL, Rhine-Meuse Water Agency...) an ambitious restoration program, of INTERREG type, aiming at widening the Old Rhine on its left bank and at carrying out sedimentary recharges upstream from these widening sites. Within this framework, the members of the theme will guide the managers in their choices, in particular by modelling, and will carry out interdisciplinary monitoring.
On a larger scale, we are developing a project for a cross-border observatory of the restoration of the Upper Rhine and for feedback on the restorations carried out (ENGEES funding). A database of more than 140 restoration actions has already been developed. The objective is 1. to capitalize on restoration and monitoring experiences so that the restorations carried out and those to come are as effective and sustainable as possible and 2. to create a permanent network of actors (managers, engineering firms, private companies, scientists) in the restoration of the Upper Rhine. The further development of this cross-border observatory is a clear objective of the theme.
SOME PUBLICATIONS
Beisel, J. N., Staentzel, C., Skupinski, G., Walch, A., Pons, M., Weber, S., ... & Huber, A. (2021). Evolution of relict floodplain forest in river stretches of Western and Central Europe as affected by river infrastructure networks. Plos one, 16(9), e0257593.
Chardon, V., Schmitt, L., Piégay, H., Beisel, J. N., Staentzel, C., Barillier, A., & Clutier, A. (2020). Effects of Transverse Groynes on Meso-Habitat Suitability for Native Fish Species on a Regulated By-Passed Large River: A Case Study along the Rhine River. Water, 12(4), 987.
Eschbach, D., Schmitt, L., Imfeld, G., May, J. H., Payraudeau, S., Preusser, F., ... & Skupinski, G. (2018). Long-term temporal trajectories to enhance restoration efficiency and sustainability on large rivers: an interdisciplinary study. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 22(5), 2717-2737.
Meyer, A., Combroux, I., Schmitt, L., & Trémolières, M. (2013). Vegetation dynamics in side-channels reconnected to the Rhine River: what are the main factors controlling communities trajectories after restoration?. Hydrobiologia, 714(1), 35-47.
Schmitt, L., Beisel, J. N., Preusser, F., De Jong, C., Wantzen, K. M., Chardon, V., ... & Brackhane, S. (2020). Sustainable management of the upper rhine river and its alluvial plain: lessons from interdisciplinary research in France and Germany.
Staentzel, C., Arnaud, F., Combroux, I., Schmitt, L., Trémolières, M., Grac, C., ... & Beisel, J. N. (2018). How do instream flow increase and gravel augmentation impact biological communities in large rivers: A case study on the Upper Rhine River. River Research and Applications, 34(2), 153-164.
Staentzel, C., Kondolf, G. M., Schmitt, L., Combroux, I., Barillier, A., & Beisel, J. N. (2020). Restoring fluvial forms and processes by gravel augmentation or bank erosion below dams: A systematic review of ecological responses. Science of the Total Environment, 706, 135743.
CONTACTS
Pr. Laurent Schmitt PR UNISTRA, Faculté. de Géographie, geomorphology (resp.) - laurent.schmitt[at]unistra.fr
Valentin Chardon Postdoctoral fellow - valentin.chardon[at]live-cnrs.unistra.fr
COMPLEMENTARITY WITH SOME MEMBERS OF BIOECO GROUP
Pr. Jean-Nicolas Beisel, PR ENGEES, biology & freshwater science (resp.) - jean-nicolas.beisel[at]engees.unistra.fr
Cybill Staentzel, MCF ENGEES, biology & freshwater science - cybill.staentzel[at]engees.unistra.fr
