The Romanian Ecological Flow Method, RoEflow, Developed in Line with the EU Water Framework Directive. Concept and Case Studies

The overall purpose of the research is to develop a method to compute ecological flows in line with the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) for the whole Romanian territory, for a variety of hydrological, morphological and ecological conditions. The method has three components: a Quantity component, a Dynamic component, and a Real-time operation component. The Quantity component is a hydrological method with elements of the aquatic fauna habitat indirectly linked to biological organisms based on the current Romanian knowledge on the linkages between hydrology and aquatic biology. The Dynamic and Real-time operation components are related to the hydrological forecast. The method is practical, robust and easy to apply. The concept and the ideas use the hydrological forecast to ensure the water dynamics required by the Water Framework Directive, and to develop the quantitative component, keeping in mind that putting it into practice might have importance for a broader audience. In order to better highlight the concept, the paper shows three practical examples of the RoEflow method's application.

Automated summary

The research aims to develop a method to compute ecological flows across the entire territory of Romania in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive. The method consists of Quantity, Dynamic, and Real-time operation components, and is practical, robust, and easy to apply. The ultimate goal of the study is to ensure water dynamics required by the directive, with practical importance for a broader audience.