Researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia call to the recovery of the rivers and their banks

On the campus of Gandia, a research team of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (upv) carried out several lines of work related to the conservation of the water of the rivers and the habitats of Bank, as well as to restore its natural and cultural values. Projects, suggests measures aimed at the maintenance of Bank habitats, natural areas in decline although valuable for its biodiversity, among other factors. "These ecosystems suffer severe degradation currently, but the European of the water framework directive, already moved to our water law, reflects the need to consider forest of Bank in the management of the water and studies that we develop are in this line"argues Professor Francisco Martínez Capel, of the Research Institute for the integrated management of coastal areas of the UPV (IGIC). Some of the measures relate to the recovery of an environmental flow regime which recreate the natural patterns of small spring floods. So, would be a correct flow of water in times of reproduction and growth of the flora of Bank, without risking human consumption. That period should coincide with a natural increase of rainfall, and should not be seen every year just the rainiest.

In order to specify the appropriate flows, these researchers have conducted studies with fish and invertebrates. At the moment, the team works to Marm (Ministry of environment and Rural and marine environment), linking the main copies of Bank with the flow regime. Depending on studies, designing a new computer program (project Ripflow), fruit of international cooperation. The new technology would contribute to a more sustainable management of water in the Hydrographic Confederations. The suggested measures arise after field studies of these researchers in some rivers in the Valencian Community.