MERLIN Deliverables

Deliverable D1.1

Online case-study portal to share knowledge and report findings (09/2022)

Key messages:

1. The MERLIN online case-study portal is designed to share knowledge of the 17 MERLIN case studies.
   
   
2. The portal provides interactive access to information from case-study level to European scale and across the restoration types including Peatland & Wetland, Small Streams and Basins, and Large Transboundary Rivers.
   
   
3. Each case-study has a unique page through which details of the restoration activities, objectives and key stakeholders can be viewed.
   
   
4. The portal has been designed to allow dissemination of data on Case-Study Impact Assessments across MERLIN Indicators for the European Green Deal.
   
   
5. The portal will also indicate progress in the implementation of new restoration measures in the MERLIN case-studies through application of the IUCN Global Standard for evaluating Nature-Based Solutions.
   
   
6. The portal provides an important dissemination tool to inform the scientific community as well as the general public on the benefits of restoration across scales.

Download Deliverable D1.1

Deliverable D1.2

New framework for monitoring systemic impacts of freshwater and wetland restoration actions (09/2022)

Key messages:

1. Robust demonstration case-studies are needed to evaluate whether improvements in ecosystem condition are translated into improvements in ecosystem services.
   
   
2. This research is essential for effectively scaling-up nature-based solutions across Europe and providing the evidence to support transformation agendas in society and industries, and ultimately supporting the ambitions of the European Green Deal.
   
   
3. Clear guidance and standardised indicators help monitor the impact of freshwater and wetland restoration measures on European Green Deal goals.
   
   
4. These monitoring indicators should include environmental indicators (e.g. for biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions and water storage capacity) as well as socio-economic indicators such as stakeholder representation, private finance mobilisation and job creation.
   
   
5. A combined Before-After-Control-Intervention (BACI) monitoring design is recommended to provide robust evidence and attribute change to the restoration measures.
   
   
6. Benchmark (cost or effort) and local/regional context data (e.g. land use, governance) are also needed alongside monitoring of impacts to not just measure what has happened at a site but to understand why it has happened.

Download Deliverable D1.2

Deliverable D2.1

Case study optimisation strategies (12/2022)

Key messages:

1. A SWOT analysis of the IUCN criteria for nature-based solutions to support European Green Deal goals yielded a broad spectrum of information on the MERLIN freshwater restoration case studies.
   
   
2. This information provides the necessary ingredients to draft an optimisation strategy for the MERLIN case studies on themes including multiple goals, society, restoration techniques, economy, policy and regulations.
   
   
3. This information offers a basis for peer-to-peer learning between the case studies and those in other regions.
   
   
4. The optimisation strategies provide new insights and broaden perspectives on restoration actions in individual case studies.
   
   
5. Identifying the potential for multiple Green Deal goal achievements will initiate broader dialogues with stakeholders and provide new incentives for restoration with multiple benefits for local people.
   
   
6. Capacity building on financia larrangement swill create new opportunities for restoration actions.
   
   
7. Clear and agile policy arrangements are needed to enhance stakeholder participation in restoration actions.
   
   
8. The visioning, planning and evaluation of restoration actions are long-term activities that benefit from adaptive approaches and sound long- term monitoring programs on multiple aspects of biophysical and socio-ecological systems.

Download Deliverable D2.1

Deliverable D2.3

Case study implementation plans (02/2023)

Key messages:

1. Half of the funding in the EU MERLIN project – almost 10 million € - will be used to realise freshwater restoration measures across Europe.
   
   
2. Restoration measures will be implemented at sixteen case studies within the lifetime of MERLIN (2021–2025).
   
   
3. This deliverable comprises the implementation plans of all MERLIN case studies, describing the hands-on restoration activities that are to be implemented in MERLIN.
   
   
4. The implementation plans support the case study leads in their planning and implementation process, by detailing their goals, listing necessary work steps, planning budget and time, distributing tasks and considering optimisation potential.
   
   
5. Being aware of anticipated or potential risks is crucial in the implementation process. Strategies for mitigating these risks are developed to avoid delays or hinderances in restoration implementation.
   
   
6. Implementation planning is carried out on the basis of accomplished tasks, including: SWOT analysis, optimisation planning, self-assessment of the IUCN criteria for nature-based solutions, stakeholder screening, and monitoring of indicators for the European Green Deal goals.
   
   
7. The implementation planning process thus offers a basis for the participatory and transparent implementation of freshwater restoration measures.

Download Deliverable D2.3

Deliverable D4.1

Mainstreaming aquatic restoration using Nature-based Solutions (12/2022)

Key messages:

1. Mainstreaming aquatic restoration using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) requires involving all relevant stakeholders and understanding their connection with rivers and wetlands. We work with six economic ‘MERLIN’ sectors (Agriculture, Hydropower, Insurance, Navigation, Peat Extraction and Water Supply and Sanitation).
   
   
2. Our data suggests these sector actors are aware of the environmental and socio-economic challenges arising from degraded freshwater ecosystems and are aware of the types of NbS that MERLIN will demonstrate and implement. However, not all sector actors were convinced of the need for radical change/transformation or that they could rely on NbS to deliver their sector needs.
   
   
3. The language of NbS is not well embedded (yet) with these sectors, however concepts of sustainability and working with nature are well understood. With its focus on meeting societal goals, NbS can address the sectors’ concerns about balancing environment, social and economic objectives.
   
   
4. The sectors are seeking evidence regarding the benefits of NbS to their sector, concrete examples of NbS at the catchment scale and assistance to integrate sectoral concerns into spatial catchment management.
   
   
5. There are strong interdependencies and synergies between the MERLIN sectors. However, there are also potential trade-offs and challenges. We are building a Community of Practice to support an understanding of NbS, how we can enable mainstreaming of NbS in the six MERLIN sectors, and most importantly, how the sectors can work together.

Download Deliverable D4.1

Deliverable D5.1

MERLIN dissemination and exploitation plan (02/2022)

Key messages:

1. MERLIN has defined seven principles for making impact that build the framework for communication, dissemination and exploitation in the project.
   
   
2. Along these principles, six relevant target groups are specified, for which different tools of communication and dissemination are determined.
   
   
3. All activities are centred around the ‘MERLIN key outputs’, which are the 33 project deliverables with public dissemination level.
   
   
4. These key outputs are grouped into clusters to streamline the communication and dissemination activities along six main thematic strands.
   
   
5. Centrepiece of this dissemination and exploitation plan is the specification of all MERLIN key outputs and the envisaged dissemination and exploitation channels.
   
   
6. Eleven key performance indicators and target values have been identified for the different communication and dissemination tools.

Download Deliverable D5.1

Deliverable D5.2

MERLIN website and leaflet (01/2022)

Key messages

1. The MERLIN webpage serves to inform the scientific community as well as the general public about the MERLIN project, its aims and its activities.
   
   
2. The MERLIN webpage will continuously be updated and amended with MERLIN results and related information during the project’s lifespan.
   
   
3. The MERLIN leaflet is meant to inform the public about restoration and nature-based solutions in general and specifically about the MERLIN project.
   
   
4. The MERLIN leaflet will be translated into all case study languages.

Download Deliverable D5.2