SWITCH project in Lodz in progress.
Between the 28th and 31st of May of 2006 Lodz has been visited by Carol A. Howe Project Manager of the SWITCH project from the UNESCO-IHE Institute of Water Education (The Netherlands) and by Peter J. Bury Coordinator of SWITCH Learning Alliance from IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (The Netherlands). Lodz has been visited as the first city from all of the 9 urban demonstration cities. [ read more ]
Polish Academy of Sciences and University of Lodz have a great pleasure to invite to the Opening Symposium Of The European Regional Centre For Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO in Lodz, Poland
[ read more ]
The Centre has been established as an international institute of the Polish Academy of
Sciences (International Centre for Ecology) in co-operation with the University of Lodz, in the
framework of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). The initiative has been strongly
supported by the authorities of the City of Lodz.
The increasing human population and degradation of biological integrity of ecosystems has been expressed, to a great extent, as a decline in water resources. Consequently the degradation of the ecosystems biotic structure and alteration of their functions influence the ability of the ecosystems to provide social and economical services. According to UN Organisations water has become the main constraint for achieving sustainable development in many parts of the world. Therefore promoting and facilitating national, regional and global research programs regarding development new effective approach for sustainable water management is one of the most urgent needs.
expand the number of potential tools for solving ecological problems,
improve water resources quality,
enable reduction of floods and droughts risk, and
improve cost efficiency ratio to a level acceptable by society.
The progress in ecology during recent years has allowed integration of ecology
and hydrology. A framework for such interdisciplinary effort has been initiated
and provided by UNESCO, under the International Hydrological Programme IHP-V.
During the programme, the conceptual background and principles of the ecohydrology
were defined: by integration and quantification of biological and hydrological
processes at the basin scale, by the enhancement of basin ecosystem absorbing
capacity to human impact and by using ecosystem properties as a management tool.
Those principles are targeted, not only to eliminate threats, but also to amplify
the opportunities for sustainable development through control and regulation
of nutrients and water cycling at the basin scale.
Considering a leading role of Polish scientists in the development of the ecohydrology
concept and the IHP UNESCO project, the establishing of the ERCE Poland under the auspices
of UNESCO has been proposed.
Centre promotes integrative multidisciplinary ecohydrological research at
a catchment scale for sustainable management, protection and restoration of
aquatic resources. Basic research includes: hydrology, hydrobiology, environmental
chemistry, landscape processes, soil ecology, phytotechnology, environmental
toxicology and genetics, population studies and mathematical modeling
advancement of ecohydrological through
scientific research, publications, international co-operation,
(b)
advancement of international co-operation
and contacts and providing a platform for the exchange of scientific information
about Ecohydrology and Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) between institutions
all over the world within the framework of the International Hydrological
Programme (IHP) of UNESCO,
(c)
advisory activities, provision of
technical information and training as a basis for development and implementation
of new integrated methods of water management and restoration,
(d)
developing of a network of demonstration
sites for implementation of the ecohydrology concept toward improving water
resources quality, creating of positive socio-economic feedbacks and providing
relevant ecosystem services.
(e)
promoting advanced scientific research
on ecohydrology, monitoring and modelling systems, as well as transfer of
knowledge and its implementation for achievement of good ecological status
of waters, and implementation of the Water Framework Directive of the European
Parliament and of the Council (2000/60/EC), and other EC environmental related
directives,
(f)
awareness-raising at all institutional
and professional levels including: the general public, NGOs, regional and
national institutions and decision makers,
(g)
development of potential and facilities
for training, education, dissemination and popularisation of scientific
achievements.
Functions
The major functions of the ERCE are:
(a)
conducting experimental and theoretical
scientific research,
(b)
education, training and dedicated
courses,
(c)
participating in the UNESCO IHP
as a focal point for ecohydrology in the region and support IHP international
activities,
(d)
creating and reinforcement of institutional
and information networks for the exchange
of scientific, technical and policy information at the international level,
(e)
cooperating with government agencies,
NGOs, institutions, stakeholders and decision-makers in order to put the
results of scientific research into practice,
(f)
spreading of ecohydrological science
through publications, scientific meetings, seminars and scientific conferences
etc.,
(g)
ecological education and increase
of public awareness related to links between water, biodiversity and sustainable
development.
The Centre shall pursue the above objectives and functions in close coordination
with the water-related programmes of UNESCO.
The Centre’s organizational framework comprises of:
International Advisory Board,
Director,
Research Units,
Secretariat.
International Advisory Board’s tasks comprise in particular:
formulation general guidelines and instructions concerning the Centre’s
functioning and activities; consultation of the Centre’s programme and
adoption of financial plans, submitted by the Director; consultation of Director's
reports on the Centre’s activity.
The Centre’s Director: manages the Centre in conformity
with the programmes and directives established by the International Advisory
Board, represents the Centre in law and performing any required legal act on
its behalf, prepares draft programme and budget of the Centre as well as any
required reports, implements human resources policy and planning.
The research Units are to conduct experimental and theoretical
scientific research on Ecohydrology.
The Secretariat includes: Deputy Director, The International
Co-operation and Implementation Unit, The Information and Dissemination Unit.
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