New book: Methodological guide for monitoring the hydropower impact on transboundary river ecosystems

Methodological guide for monitoring the hydropower impact on transboundary river ecosystems was elaborated in the frame of the international project eMS BSB 165 Creating a system of innovative transboundary monitoring of the Black Sea river ecosystems transformation under impacts of hydropower development and climate change – HydroEcoNex (Joint Operational Program Black Sea Basin 2014-2020, financed by the European Union).

Work, published separately in Romanian and English, is a co-production of five organisations-partners within the HydroEcoNex project: Institute of Zoology, International Environmental Association of River Keepers Eco-Tiras, Hydrometeorological Center for Black and Azov Seas, Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea and Dunarea de Jos University of Galati.

Guide consists of the following chapters: I. Modification of aquatic ecosystems and ecological indicators for monitoring the impact of hydropower complexes on cross-border aquatic ecosystems; II. Hydrologic monitoring of river ecosystems; III. Monitoring of phytoplankton and identification of its role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems; IV. Monitoring of planktonic invertebrates and recommendations for its identification; V. Recommendations for monitoring and identification of benthos; VI. Ichthyofauna in the conditions of the impact of hydrotechnical constructions on river ecosystems; VII. Methodology and economic valuation of ecosystem services and their losses; VIII. Methodology for assessing a climate change factor in the hydropower impact research.

Book will guide the researchers, specialists in aquatic ecology, hydrology, youth (students of all levels of the higher education institutions) and all other interested people in their acquaintance with the theoretical and applied aspects of monitoring the impact of hydropower complex operation and climate change on ecological status and functioning of aquatic ecosystems, including processes occurring in their watersheds. 

The corresponding member of ASM, professor, doctor habilitat Elena Zubcov and associate professor, doctor in biological sciences Lucia Biletchi (Institute of Zoology), assumed the role of editors of the guide.

To download the book, access the compartment New publications.

Lucia Biletchi