Special issue editorial: Revitalisation of dynamic riverine landscapes-Evaluation of the effects of hydromorphological restoration measures

The progressive loss of biodiversity in rivers and their floodplains has not yet been stopped. With the European Biodiversity Strategy and the goal of restoring at least 25,000 km of free-flowing European rivers by 2030, the first important step has been taken. Now we need to be able to effectively demonstrate a reversal of biodiversity loss as well as the success of urgently needed restoration measures. This special issue presents twelve results of current river and floodplain restoration and evaluation approaches that have successfully combined hydromorphological restoration measures with interdisciplinary research. We report comprehensively on the challenges and opportunities that river and floodplain restoration can offer to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of these habitats.

Automated summary

This special issue presents the results and challenges of river and floodplain restoration and evaluation methods, as well as their significance in protecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.