Adaptive Management of Barriers in European Rivers
The AMBER project sought to apply adaptive management to the operation of barriers in European rivers to achieve a more effective and efficient restoration of stream connectivity. To do this, the consortium developed tools, models, and toolkits that allowed hydropower companies and river managers to maximize benefits and minimize ecological impacts. This improved energy security, helped protect jobs, and boosted European competitiveness, particularly in rural economies.
This project also helped protect global biodiversity in rivers by decreasing fragmentation, promoting habitat connectivity, and evaluating the merits of different restoration actions through developed tools.
Created The first assessment of stream connectivity across Europe to highlight where restoration is most needed.
Developped a holistic framework and associated tools for guiding the restoration of local river ecosystems.
Provided opportunities for real time monitoring using citizen science.
Made the first application of eDNA for river restoration to help prioritize areas for conservation and barrier management.
Transnational Cooperation
AMBER team
Twenty active partners together formed the AMBER consortium. They included large hydropower businesses, river authorities, non-governmental organisations, universities and the European Joint Research Centre.
These institutions were spread throughout Europe, including Poland, Italy, Germany, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden. A large number of end-users had been identified representing stakeholder interests not only in every single European Member State, but also in European Free Trade Association countries. The team showcased what Europe could achieve in terms of international strategic collaboration, while knowledge transfer promoted through the consortium helped to overcome the innovation divide between regions.
AMBER also includes a ‘citizen science’ programme to involve authorities, NGOs, and the public in data collection and dissemination.
AMBER, the AMBER Barrier Atlas, and the Citizen Science portal are now managed by The Blue Rivers Foundation.
