**5. Principles of ecohydrology as framework for action**

Water is the common denominator and abiotic factors: hydrology and temperature are of primary importance in shaping the biological structure and processes within ecosystems for all types of climatic biogeochemical and ecological processes, thus water mezocycle within the catchment provides the best operational template for regulation of water-biota interplay towards enhancement of ecological potential and to achieve desirable status of the ecosystem and sustainable use of its resources. That is why the framework for elaboration and implementation of systemic approach for innovative Ecohydrological Nature Based Solutions (EH NBS) are three principles of Ecohydrology [25]:


**59**

*society.*

**Figure 4.**

1.Development and implementation of innovative EHNBS tools with special emphasis on the"dual regulation" – regulation of water cycle/biota interaction from molecular to landscape scale, by shaping biota and regulating biotic processes and vice versa, enhancing biota by regulating hydrology [20, 46].

*Principles of Ecohydrology. I principle, hydrological: A. map of water erosion special distribution, describing geomorphological conditions. I.B. distribution of rainfall in the catchment. I.C. SWAT model of special distribution of phosphorus load from non-point source pollution. I.D. distribution of small treatment plants, contributing to total nutrient load in the catchment. II principle, ecological: E. distribution of various land use in the catchment. II. F. Distribution of plant cover on the floodplain corresponding with the time of flooding, allowing for bioenergy plantations of willows in the floodplain, allowing the absorption of phosphorus into plant tissues and increasing the self-purification efficiency by 40% (400 kg of P absorbed). II.G. water level and the time the floodplain stays underwater. III principle, ecological engineering: III. H. Example of a drastic reduction in complexity of agricultural landscape – Tree rows and land/water ecotone buffer zones, resulting in in soil drying, loss of organic matter due to aeolian erosion and surface flow. III. I. the high efficiency ecotone zone with a denitrification barrier for decreasing the nitrogen load from agricultural landscape into ground and surface water. III.J. Ecohydrological alternative solution to proposed by Hydroengieeners reservoir design which blocks the river continuum by eliminating a section of natural, meandering river of high biodiversity. Moreover observed periods of high concentration of phosphorus loads can stimulate toxic algal blooms and eliminate the recreational use of the reservoir. Proposed Ecohydrological approach maintaining the river continuum of the pristine, meandering river and enhancing the catchment sustainability potential by improvement of: W - water quality by eliminating toxic algal blooms, biodiversity, B – Biodiversity by increasing habitat diversity, S – Increasing recreation, R – Increasing river system resilience to climate change by increasing the river valley retentiveness, CE – Citizen science, sustainability consciousness and participation of* 

*Ecohydrology: An Integrative Sustainability Science DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94169*

*Ecohydrology: An Integrative Sustainability Science DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94169*

*Hydrology*

perspective [43].

biology methods for freshwater ecosystem diagnosis [32] and next by translation of the integrative understanding of water biota interplay into ecosystemic biotechnologies [33–35] testing and development Ecohydrological Nature Based Solutions for Water in catchment scale [36]. Also the understanding of society priorities [37], becomes crucial for its involvement in reduction of dispersed impacts and broad range of activities improving WBSRCE. All above efforts especially developed in framework of UNESCO Man and Biosphere and International Hydrological Programme generate inspiration and provides certain prototype for development of

The parallel step which has been deepening the understanding the various hierarchy of drivers and specific properties of the ecosystems vs. societies priorities was generated by the testing the best current Ecohydrological wisdom and biotechnologies into African conditions [39–41] and use indigenous knowledge in Ecohydrological solutions [42] and analysis of processes and versus human impacts in catchment

Water is the common denominator and abiotic factors: hydrology and temperature are of primary importance in shaping the biological structure and processes within ecosystems for all types of climatic biogeochemical and ecological processes, thus water mezocycle within the catchment provides the best operational template for regulation of water-biota interplay towards enhancement of ecological potential and to achieve desirable status of the ecosystem and sustainable use of its resources.

That is why the framework for elaboration and implementation of systemic approach for innovative Ecohydrological Nature Based Solutions (EH NBS) are

I.**Hydrological principle** of Ecohydrology focus on: quantification of

II.**Ecological principle** analysis the distribution and ecological potential (WBSR) of pristine – to be protected and novel [44] ecosystems, where novel are a result of the secondary succession and can be a subject of structure changes for processes regulation towards enhancement of carrying capacity (WBSR). **Figure 4.II**. introduce the forests distribution in upper Pilica River catchment, which is important for increasing water retentiveness and groundwater recharge. The enhancement of floodplain phosphorus absorbing capacity and biomass yield begins from analysis of floodplain plants community which combined with groundwater level provides opportunity to replace flooded meadow in 40% by bioenergy willow plantation doubling phosphorus absorbing capacity and profitability of agricultural

III.**Ecological Engineering principle** focused on three types of solutions:

hydrological cycle with the special emphasis on the range and dynamics and its modifications due to human impacts, considering the geomorphological structure of the catchment, soil quality (flood, ground water recharge and drought vulnerability), erosion, identification and distribution of various forms of impact e.g. point sources pollution vs. non-point source pollution, urbanisation, transportation pathways. Moreover the timing of river pulses vs. water resources demand e.g. for agriculture and vulnerability to pollu-

the concept of Nature Based Solutions for Water [38].

**5. Principles of ecohydrology as framework for action**

tion during low flows periods (**Figure 4**.)

yield of energy willow from floodplain [45].

three principles of Ecohydrology [25]:

**58**

#### **Figure 4.**

*Principles of Ecohydrology. I principle, hydrological: A. map of water erosion special distribution, describing geomorphological conditions. I.B. distribution of rainfall in the catchment. I.C. SWAT model of special distribution of phosphorus load from non-point source pollution. I.D. distribution of small treatment plants, contributing to total nutrient load in the catchment. II principle, ecological: E. distribution of various land use in the catchment. II. F. Distribution of plant cover on the floodplain corresponding with the time of flooding, allowing for bioenergy plantations of willows in the floodplain, allowing the absorption of phosphorus into plant tissues and increasing the self-purification efficiency by 40% (400 kg of P absorbed). II.G. water level and the time the floodplain stays underwater. III principle, ecological engineering: III. H. Example of a drastic reduction in complexity of agricultural landscape – Tree rows and land/water ecotone buffer zones, resulting in in soil drying, loss of organic matter due to aeolian erosion and surface flow. III. I. the high efficiency ecotone zone with a denitrification barrier for decreasing the nitrogen load from agricultural landscape into ground and surface water. III.J. Ecohydrological alternative solution to proposed by Hydroengieeners reservoir design which blocks the river continuum by eliminating a section of natural, meandering river of high biodiversity. Moreover observed periods of high concentration of phosphorus loads can stimulate toxic algal blooms and eliminate the recreational use of the reservoir. Proposed Ecohydrological approach maintaining the river continuum of the pristine, meandering river and enhancing the catchment sustainability potential by improvement of: W - water quality by eliminating toxic algal blooms, biodiversity, B – Biodiversity by increasing habitat diversity, S – Increasing recreation, R – Increasing river system resilience to climate change by increasing the river valley retentiveness, CE – Citizen science, sustainability consciousness and participation of society.*

1.Development and implementation of innovative EHNBS tools with special emphasis on the"dual regulation" – regulation of water cycle/biota interaction from molecular to landscape scale, by shaping biota and regulating biotic processes and vice versa, enhancing biota by regulating hydrology [20, 46].


An example of EHNBS construction is the high efficiency land/water ecotones at limited space (5 m strip) which contain denitrification barriers, plant buffer zone and possibility to incorporate geochemical barrier for phosphorus trapping [34] (**Figure 4.III.I**).

The large scale of harmonisation hydroengineering with EH NBS by constructing reservoir on the floodplain and maintaining the river continuum is introduced at **Figure 4.III.J**. The key assumption was to guarantee good water quality - no toxic algal blooms for the recreational reservoir while still maintaining the river continuum. Therefore it was necessary to consider as a reference point the long term analysis of river pulses for identification of periods with good water quality to use for supply of reservoir in water low in suspended matter and phosphorus concentration [7].

Such concept of multifunctional reservoir based on three principles of ecohydrology improves: W - Water resources by increase the amount of water retained in the river valley and its quality by enhancement of biological self-purification process in biofiltration system and diversity of habitats; B - biodiversity by enhancement diversity of aquatic and wetlands habitats; S – services for society – bathing and fishing; R – resilience to climate of all river valley ecosystems by increase of retentiveness of river valley and ground water reserve; CE - culture and education by building the education centre for teaching on importance of river valley in cultural development in history and to develop citizens science.

### **6. Ecohydrology: summary and way forward**

Water is key driver of the strategy to reverse the degradation of Biosphere Sustainability (Sustainable Development Goals, SDG of UN), especially in the face of increasing climate changes. The fundamental step in establishing holistic strategies and systemic solutions should be to understand the hydrological mezocycle, water/biota interplay and hierarchy of drivers. All of that enforced by knowledge and broad scope of environmental sciences with consideration of diverse economic, legal and societal interactions. Therefore for engineering harmony between environment and society, there is **a need to develop an integrative sustainability science**. The fundamental step for achieving this is translating accumulated scientific information into knowledge (understanding the processes, feedback and the hierarchy of regulatory mechanisms in these systems), and then to translate this knowledge into wisdom: the ability to solve sustainability problems by innovative NBS and technologies integrated in systemic solutions which are mitigating human impacts and also increase adaptive capacity and strengthen the ability to adapt society and professional skills to new Evolutionary/Ecosystemic paradigm and relevant technologies, thus changing the hierarchy of needs and situations.

For acceleration of achieving biosphere sustainability (SDG UN) the further steps based on Ecohydrology are necessary:

1.**Proactive Education of society** - coping with uncertainty in changing world and especially climate. There is an urgent need for shaping societal attitudes and understanding of Sustainability: **understanding the biosphere as a dynamic system where water, carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen cycling** 

**61**

**Author details**

and management.

Maciej Zalewski1,2

Poland

1 European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology PAS, Łódź, Poland

\*Address all correspondence to: mzal@biol.uni.lodz.pl

provided the original work is properly cited.

2 UNESCO Chair of Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology University of Lodz, Łódź,

© 2021 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

*Ecohydrology: An Integrative Sustainability Science DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94169*

stimulate social capital – confidence and cooperation.

translation of Science into Technology.

**serve as the primary drivers of sustainability, and that these are influenced by each of us** and in turn determine the amount and quality of the ecosystem services we need. This approach requires proactive education, which will stimulate a shift from a Sociocentric/Mechanistic to an Evolutionary/Ecosystemic paradigm based on three assumptions: 1/the unity of Man and Nature, 2/ consciousness that happiness is not correlated with consumption but first and foremost, a fair and good relationship with other people, and with functioning in a healthy environment, 3/our positive mental status is to a great extent, defined by the quality of our environment. Such beliefs can to a great extent

2.**Social capital as an important factor for translation of knowledge into wisdom and of innovations in catchment management**. The philosophy of the exchange of ideas and openness for controversial opinions has been broadening the holistic perception of the problems to be solved and generate most efficiently innovations. It is worth to underline that there appear to be many examples that both encouragement of team spirit but also respect for seniority and leadership towards achievement of strategic goals first and foremost reversing degradation of biosphere, synergies of both should also amplify the

3.**Socio-economic Foresight of the catchment as a tool for creating a desirable future**. Action without vision and strategies have typically resulted in a waste of human potential and resources. Hence, the primary tool used for the development of responsible vision and strategy in achieving SDG UN should be the foresight methodology, which should consider the circular economy, i.e. reduction of impact and bioeconomy production of commodities from renewable resources, and the enhancement of sustainability potential WBSRCE, where the water mezocycle has to be used as a framework for assessment, planning

*Hydrology*

(**Figure 4.III.I**).

tration [7].

catchment scale [19, 36].

2.Harmonisation hydroengineering with EHNBS in to hybrid systems [35, 47].

3.Integration of EHNBS hydroengineering and hybrid solutions for synergy at

An example of EHNBS construction is the high efficiency land/water ecotones at limited space (5 m strip) which contain denitrification barriers, plant buffer zone and possibility to incorporate geochemical barrier for phosphorus trapping [34]

The large scale of harmonisation hydroengineering with EH NBS by constructing reservoir on the floodplain and maintaining the river continuum is introduced at **Figure 4.III.J**. The key assumption was to guarantee good water quality - no toxic algal blooms for the recreational reservoir while still maintaining the river continuum. Therefore it was necessary to consider as a reference point the long term analysis of river pulses for identification of periods with good water quality to use for supply of reservoir in water low in suspended matter and phosphorus concen-

Such concept of multifunctional reservoir based on three principles of ecohydrology improves: W - Water resources by increase the amount of water retained in the river valley and its quality by enhancement of biological self-purification process in biofiltration system and diversity of habitats; B - biodiversity by enhancement diversity of aquatic and wetlands habitats; S – services for society – bathing and fishing; R – resilience to climate of all river valley ecosystems by increase of retentiveness of river valley and ground water reserve; CE - culture and education by building the education centre for teaching on importance of river valley in

Water is key driver of the strategy to reverse the degradation of Biosphere Sustainability (Sustainable Development Goals, SDG of UN), especially in the face of increasing climate changes. The fundamental step in establishing holistic strategies and systemic solutions should be to understand the hydrological mezocycle, water/biota interplay and hierarchy of drivers. All of that enforced by knowledge and broad scope of environmental sciences with consideration of diverse economic, legal and societal interactions. Therefore for engineering harmony between environment and society, there is **a need to develop an integrative sustainability science**. The fundamental step for achieving this is translating accumulated scientific information into knowledge (understanding the processes, feedback and the hierarchy of regulatory mechanisms in these systems), and then to translate this knowledge into wisdom: the ability to solve sustainability problems by innovative NBS and technologies integrated in systemic solutions which are mitigating human impacts and also increase adaptive capacity and strengthen the ability to adapt society and professional skills to new Evolutionary/Ecosystemic paradigm and relevant

cultural development in history and to develop citizens science.

technologies, thus changing the hierarchy of needs and situations.

steps based on Ecohydrology are necessary:

For acceleration of achieving biosphere sustainability (SDG UN) the further

1.**Proactive Education of society** - coping with uncertainty in changing world and especially climate. There is an urgent need for shaping societal attitudes and understanding of Sustainability: **understanding the biosphere as a dynamic system where water, carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen cycling** 

**6. Ecohydrology: summary and way forward**

**60**

**serve as the primary drivers of sustainability, and that these are influenced by each of us** and in turn determine the amount and quality of the ecosystem services we need. This approach requires proactive education, which will stimulate a shift from a Sociocentric/Mechanistic to an Evolutionary/Ecosystemic paradigm based on three assumptions: 1/the unity of Man and Nature, 2/ consciousness that happiness is not correlated with consumption but first and foremost, a fair and good relationship with other people, and with functioning in a healthy environment, 3/our positive mental status is to a great extent, defined by the quality of our environment. Such beliefs can to a great extent stimulate social capital – confidence and cooperation.

