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Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity

Work with nature on biodiversity and a climate-robust society
Biodiversity is under growing pressure worldwide – including in the Netherlands. Factors like space and water use, climate change, population increase and economic growth had a strong impact on biodiversity. A nature-inclusive society and the restoration of naturally functioning ecosystems are essential to making optimal use of ecosystem services, restoring biodiversity, and preventing the extinction of species and plant communities. Through applied scientific research and a system approach, KWR develops restoration strategies and nature based solutions for biodiversity restoration and ecosystem services in the context of other urgent water-related challenges, such as the supply of drinking water and water for agriculture. In our research, we consider water and ecosystems as vital assets and connecting elements that are crucial to tackle water challenges for society and economy, as envisaged by Collectief Natuurinclusief Collectief Natuurinclusief. 

Restoration begins with understanding: process-based knowledge for practice

For KWR the sustainable restoration of ecosystem services and biodiversity begins with understanding which processes and factors characterise and predominate in an area. Only in this way a good diagnosis can be made and nature-inclusive water management be realised. This is why we conduct applied research into the interactions between soil, water, plants and atmosphere in the rural and urban environments. In doing so, we take account of factors like water quantity and water quality, and the relation with water management and nitrogen deposition. With the process-based knowledge about these interactions and the decision-support tools that we develop at KWR, nature organisations, drinking water utilities, water managers and municipalities can take informed decisions about the use of nature-based solutions in water management, a nature-inclusive approach to a variety of water challenges and biodiversity restoration, in both rural and urban areas. 

Focus on four important issues

When focussing on nature-inclusive water and biodiversity, KWR distinguishes between various important issues for which we offer solutions. Which solutions can we help you with? 

In the Netherlands, 90% of the habitat types have a poor or bad conservation status. KWR does research on restoration ecology so as to diagnose the causes of deterioration of nature values and develop effective restoration measures. For this, we decipher the stress factors and we determine the development potential of nature areas so as to underpin restoration measures.  Read more.

  • I want to make the city more climate–robust and biodiverse.  Then you can read more on our page about Urban ecohydrology.

Climate change and urban densification are exerting growing pressure on the quality of life and biodiversity in cities. KWR investigates the use of nature-inclusive water management to implement blue-green solutions aimed at mitigating heat stress, promoting water reuse, and enhancing the quality of life and biodiversity in the city. Within our research on urban ecohydrology we develop blue-green solutions for buildings, public spaces and sports fields, and we apply them in practice.  Read more.

The availability of sufficient water is a growing concern for the economic vitality and the drinking water provision in the Netherlands. KWR researches how we can organise our water system in a way that results in a robust water supply and simultaneously supports nature objectives. Read more.

  • I want to use wetlands for nature-inclusive agriculture and for water treatment.  Then you can read more on our page about Wetland cultivation.

Our current agricultural methods are often not appropriate if our goal is to reduce land subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions, or create buffer zones around nature areas. Within the framework of nature-inclusive water management, KWR researches how wetlands can be used for nature-inclusive agriculture, and at the same time contribute to biodiversity by retaining and treating water. Read more.

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Subthema's

  • Wetland cultivation
    Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity

    Wetland cultivation

    Rewetting peatlands is a necessary measure to reduce land subsidence and CO2 emissions and to restore nature. In buffer zones around nature areas water levels also need to be raised to enable nature restoration. But the application of...

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  • Nature inclusive water resources management
    Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity

    Nature inclusive water resources management

    Climate change and a rising demand for water are placing the supply of water for different functions under increasing pressure. At the same time, the Netherlands is striving for a nature-inclusive society, with robust biodiversity both within and...

    Lees verder over Nature inclusive water resources management
  • Urban ecohydrology
    Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity

    Urban ecohydrology

    Climate change and urban densification are exerting growing pressure on the quality of life and biodiversity in cities, which is increasingly suffer from flooding and heat. At the same time, the need to make better use of rainwater...

    Lees verder over Urban ecohydrology
  • Restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity
    Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity Nature-inclusive water and biodiversity

    Restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity

    In the Netherlands, 90% of the habitat types have a poor or bad conservation status. KWR conducts applied research on restoration ecology to identify the causes of the deterioration of nature values. For this, we decipher the stress...

    Lees verder over Restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity