Activities are monitoring, modelling, public awereness and road map.
Responsibe partners in each activities are:
- SYKE, leader partner: all activities
- ELY-centre : monitoring, public awereness
- ILRAS: modelling
- NorthWest AHEM: monitoring
- Ecocentrum: public awereness
Monitoring
An enhanced view over the environmental state of rivers and the coastal area in the study region by using modern / automated monitoring techniques and enhancing cross-border data exchange.
The rivers (river Virojoki, river Rakkolanjoki / r. Selesnevka and r. Sestra/ Rajajoki)
Promoted dialogue and exchange of hydrological information and best practices between Russian and Finnish local authorities and researchers.
Improving hydrological data of project rivers
The quality of hydrological data in the project rivers will be improved to ensure its feasibility in flood and drought forecasts, estimating nutrient loads etc. Flow measurements in the project rivers will be organised and executed. Also five new automatic water level measurement devices will be installed to the project rivers. Rating curves will be established and improved.
Transboundary hydrological workshops and training
Communication and sharing of know-how and best practices among water authorities and scientists in the field of transboundary hydrological monitoring will be improved. Planning, organising and executing cross-border hydrological monitoring workshops. Cross-border river discharge measurements, snow and ice observations, precipitation and evaporation measurements and operation models of transboundary hydrological monitoring will be discussed. Field excursions for sharing best practices and know-how will be arranged in connection with workshops.
A guideline to local authorities for a scientifically based and cost-effective monitoring of the coastal area and the inflowing rivers in the study region
The coastal area
Updated view over the water quality and eutrophication status of coastal waters
Enhanced view over the riverine and other nutrient loads on the coastal area by using combined satellite and monitoring data
Comprehensive state report
Report synthesizing the results obtained from all the monitoring activities performed in the project, giving conclusions of the environmental state of the study area, and providing guidelines to local authorities and administration for the cost-effective monitoring of the pressures and environmental state of rivers, lakes and coastal areas in the region
Modelling
Modeling part includes assessment of present riverine runoff and nutrient load in three catchments, namely River Vironjoki (Finland), River Rakkolanjoki (transboundary river) and River Sestra (Russia).
In addition to the current situation, different scenarios are also modeled. Climate change likely alters hydrological regimes and thus also nutrient loads. Moreover, new crops will be cultivated and cultivation methods will change in warmer climate. Floods and dry spells are probably increasing, which will cause problems for agriculture. Active measures are needed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the changing climate and to minimize its negative impacts. These future changes can be evaluated using modeling. Possible scenarios are for example:
- Instead of grass, more spring or autumn cereals are cultivated with different cultivation methods
- Improved handling, treatment and circulation of manure and more accurate nitrogen/phosphorus fertilization
- Better treatment efficiency of waste water treatment plants
The final scenarios needed for modeling are created together with end-users in SEVIRA project workshops and round table meetings.
Sirkka Tattari and Jari Koskiaho SYKE
Public awereness
Idea is to increase the environmental awareness of the local public in the study area. Project provides more environmental information and services with their own language, one service being the Lake and Sea wiki, which is made available also in Russian language to discuss explore and exchange information cross borders in schools and with a common public. Services are developed by collocating public’s thoughts and attitudes using surveys, results are also brought to environmental players. Schools and students in regions are joining field trips, trainings to learn monitor, use open data and restore nearby nature. Better services, capacity building and exchange data and information in region willingness to join activities that are improving quality of their nearby nature.
Task includes cooperative activities such as:
- Citizen surveys
- Public river monitoring
- Wiki- service
- Events
- Materials
Schools involved with transboundary field works:
Road map
The end result of SEVIRA is a Road Map. It gives recommendations for local decision-makers how to improve the state of the study area.
Two Round Tables will be organised (Russia, Finland). The preliminary Road Map is developed due to the main recommendations based on the project results of modelling, monitoring and public awareness / citizens view. Scientists and citizens will discuss and motivate the given recommendations. Decision makers and local authorities have a possibility to give remarks and influence the Road Map.
Project group and Steering group make a Final Road Map which will be introduced in the Final Forum of SEVIRA. Road Map is published in project web pages.