MERLIN - Building blocks for scaling up the restoration of freshwater ecosystems in the landscape
Nature in Europe is in a worrying state, and the effects of climate change will only exacerbate this situation. This also poses a serious threat to our economic prosperity, our well-being and social stability. Our society needs radical, system-oriented changes. Ecosystem restoration plays a key role in this, and freshwater systems are particularly important. Projects such as MERLIN therefore also support the EU's ambitions: the Green Deal and Water Resilience Strategy (2030) and Nature Restoration Regulation (2050).
The restoration of streams, rivers, peatlands and wetlands has a long tradition and a wealth of knowledge is available.
Deltares is one of 48 partners in the MERLIN H2020 project. Other partners in the project include European universities, water managers (such as Rijkswaterstaat) and nature organisations.
In addition to leading the work package on implementation and upscaling ecosystem restoration, we have joined forces with others to focus on a very wide range of aspects that are important for the restoration of freshwater ecosystems.
This ranges in terms of landscape, from peatlands to large transboundary river systems and, in terms of content, the evidence of what restoration delivers, the challenges of scaling up, the financing options and interactions with economic sectors to break through impasses.
Together with Rijkswaterstaat, we investigated how low water levels can be addressed in the context of the challenges for river management resulting from climate change. We are looking at ways of retaining water in the floodplains for longer periods. Prolonged low water levels in the river not only cause problems for shipping and freshwater supply, but also for nature.
Essentially, it is important for the restoration of freshwater ecosystems to think in terms of long time scales of several decades, for larger areas and multiple objectives. This offers more leeway for implementation and increases the possibilities for financing.
Tom Buijse, specialist in healthy freshwater systems and restoration
Method for scaling up ecosystem restoration
As work package leader, we coordinated with the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE to develop plans for scaling up various nature restoration projects in the 18 MERLIN case studies.
This was primarily to support the EU's Green Deal ambitions, which aim to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. A working method was developed within the framework of the MERLIN project to draw up these plans for scaling up.
A gap analysis was carried out for each case study, followed by a SWOT (strengths/weaknesses analysis), on the basis of which a strategic plan for scaling up was developed with relevant stakeholders.
Scaling up the restoration plans so that they serve multiple objectives also increases the financing options. A central element in this is increasing support for the application of Nature-based Solutions. These are valuable to both society and nature due to their dual objectives.
MERLIN Structured Pathway for Upscaling
Costs and benefits of freshwater system restoration
We also have a large share in determining the costs and benefits of restoring freshwater ecosystems. One example is the PhD research of Sien Kok, jointly supervised by Deltares and WUR. She has developed an assessment framework for rivers based on the value of ecosystem services.
Deliverable D3.4: Guidance Document – Cost- Benefit-Analysis in freshwater ecosystem restoration
Broadening the sources of funding for restoration
The research by Viviane Cavalcanti, with the German partner Ecologic and others from MERLIN and related EU projects focuses on the sources of funding for nature restoration operations. Successfully tapping into alternative sources to finance ecosystem restoration remains one of the biggest challenges. Together they identified the main obstacles in this regard.
There is often a lack of skills to convince others. People committed to restoration should receive training in this area. There is insufficient enforcement of nature policy and legislation, such as the 'polluter pays' principle for the Water Framework Directive. Effective enforcement convinces investors and can therefore generate income. There is a need for fair and inclusive rules. Benefits and costs are often unevenly distributed, which can be an obstacle to (co-)financing.
MERLIN RESTCOAST SUBERB Water LANDS Mobilizing funding
Diversifying Funding for Freshwater Restoration using Nature-based-SolutionsGreening waterways
Finally, a strategy has been developed for shipping to green waterways within Europe. The EU Green Deal advocates a shift from land transport to shipping, but this cannot be at the expense of biodiversity around waterways.
How can nature-based solutions be incorporated here? The strategy was developed through roundtable discussions with representatives from the European water transport sector and other stakeholders (nature and water managers).
These four activities have significantly contributed to the overall results of MERLIN. Other key results coordinated by colleague institutes encompass methods for stakeholder and sector engagement, guidance for monitoring and evaluating multiple benefits of freshwater ecosystem restoration and the MERLIN Academy’.
MERLIN is wrapping up its 4.5 year project duration with a policy event 10th of March 2026 in Brussels and final meeting in Ghent where a summary of all results will be presented and discussed.
