Topics of Work
Aqua Eco Mundi
Resource Protection Hydrology
Landscape Planning

1.2. Water harvesting in rural areas

For agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry in semi – arid areas, the irregularity of rainfall poses a serious problem. In these regions, the production risks can be reduced significantly if the surface runoff from rains can be concentrated on smaller areas. There are traditional techniques for this in many countries, such as terraces and multipurpose ponds. The decentral retention of water in a landscape has, additionally, positive effects on the water balance, the reduction of flood peaks and on the local climate, not only in semi-arid regions. Planning measures with these objectives requires the detailed consideration of social, hydrologic, geomorphologic, technological, ecological and agricultural aspects. In view of the desirability of higher evaporation rates from continental areas, the importance of measures of decentral water retention will increase.


The following two small films touch aspects of our activities on these topics.

1. DECENTRALIZED WATER RETENTION

1.1. Rainwater management in urban areas

Urbanization is increasing worldwide, megacities surge everywhere. We must provide a decent frame of life for the people living in these agglomerations. We have to reduce negative environmental impacts of urban areas including escalated flood risks, polluted surface waters, and increased water consumption. Multiple decentralized rainwater management techniques have been developed to reduce these impacts. These techniques include greening yards and roofs, partly permeable surfaces, artificial lakes for water retention, infiltration systems and rainwater utilization systems.

We cooperate with the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (https://www.kict.re.kr/eng). Our task is to provide support in developing and improving the applicability of a decision support system for planning decentral rain water management measures in urban areas with a high density of tall buildings.

3. OTHER TOPICS

A glance at the CV and at the publication list on this website will show in which other areas of work Aqua Eco Mundi can offer its help.

2. REVITALIZATION OF STREAMS AND CREEKS

The water quality and the flow regime of large rivers result, to a large extent, from the characteristics of the smaller tributaries. Industrial and agricultural activities near rivers can have negative effects on them. The landscapes in the proximity of water courses contain the largest variety of animal species and of plants on the continents. Their ecological value is very high. Measures to avoid large floods in the main rivers must begin in the tributaries. The new European legislation leads to a new impetus of preservation and protection measures in smaller rivers.

To play the films you need Qick Time Player. Free download here: http://www.apple.com/de/quicktime/download/

SOME COMMENTS ON WATER MANAGEMENT

(Copyright: Centre for Water in Urban Areas [FSP_WIB] Berlin)