Evidence and Solutions for improving SPONGE Functioning at LandSCAPE Scale in European Catchments for increased Resilience of Communities against Hydrometeorological Extreme Events

Project Information

SpongeScapes

Grant agreement ID: 101112738

DOI

10.3030/101112738

EC signature date 15 May 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 30 September 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 2 613 856,25

EU contribution

€ 2 613 856,25

Coordinated by

STICHTING DELTARES
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SpongeScapes (Evidence and Solutions for improving SPONGE Functioning at LandSCAPE Scale in European Catchments for increased Resilience of Communities against Hydrometeorological Extreme Events)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SpongeScapes addresses the urgent need to make European catchments more resilient to floods, droughts, and changing weather patterns. The project focuses on improving the landscape’s ability to absorb and slowly release water through combinations of individual sponge measures in overarching ‘sponge strategies’. Sponge measures consist of a wide variety of nature-based solutions (NbS), green infrastructure (GI), and natural water retention measures (NWRM) in combination with engineered constructions where needed. The sponge strategies aim to lower flood risks, maintain groundwater levels, and improve soil moisture at landscape scale. The project’s five main objectives are to build a solid evidence base for sponge measures, assess their response to different weather events, develop methods to scale them up, involve local stakeholders in planning, and provide accessible data and guidance. SpongeScapes aligns with EU policies on climate adaptation, water management, and sustainable land use.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

So far, SpongeScapes has undertaken extensive monitoring and modelling activities across 14 diverse European case studies. These case studies span a range of landscapes, including agricultural and forested catchments, urban areas, and wetlands, each representing distinct hydrological and socio-economic contexts. Monitoring efforts included installing sensors to track soil moisture, groundwater levels, and streamflow dynamics, as well as conducting targeted field studies to assess the immediate and long-term effectiveness of sponge measures under varying hydrometeorological conditions. Modelling allows to upscale local scale monitoring to the wider landscape response and assessments of climate resilience of the landscape under future climate scenarios.
In addition to monitoring and modelling, SpongeScapes conducted a comprehensive review of existing sponge measures, assessing their suitability and potential for upscaling across different regions. This review was instrumental in developing a unified framework for evaluating sponge functioning, integrating data on land use, climate, and hydrology to create targeted intervention strategies.
To facilitate stakeholder engagement and co-creation of sponge strategies, SpongeScapes launched two SpongeLabs in the Netherlands and France. These platforms bring together local stakeholders, water authorities, and researchers to discuss challenges, share data, and develop context-specific scenarios for implementing sponge measures. The SpongeLabs provide a space to simulate different sponge strategies and assess their impact on regional hydrology, enabling stakeholders to visualise potential outcomes and adapt measures accordingly.
A significant milestone was the development of a prototype SpongeGIS, a digital mapping tool designed to visualise areas with high potential for sponge interventions. The tool integrates multi-scalar data on land use, topography, and hydrology, allowing users to identify optimal zones for implementing specific sponge measures and to anticipate potential trade-offs and synergies. It is now being tested in the case studies and will be made available for the wider public in the upcoming period.
Communication and dissemination activities also formed a core part of the first reporting period. The project organised a targeted webinar for stakeholders to provide an overview of sponge measures. A project website was launched, featuring updates on case study progress, publications, and training materials. Additionally, SpongeScapes actively engaged with other EU-funded projects to share knowledge and identify collaboration opportunities, enhancing the project’s visibility and impact across Europe.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Enhanced Monitoring Techniques: SpongeScapes implements advanced monitoring systems across its 14 case studies, integrating low-cost, telemetered sensors to track soil moisture, groundwater levels, and streamflow dynamics in real-time. This approach not only provides immediate data but also contributes to long-term datasets that will inform future landscape-scale hydrological and design models.
Modelling Sponge Measure Interactions: SpongeScapes extends traditional hydrological modelling by examining how specific combinations of sponge measures interact at the catchment scale under a range of rain and drought events. This approach provides valuable insights into how localised interventions can collectively enhance landscape-scale water retention to limit drought risks and mitigate flood risks. SpongeScapes goes beyond current practices by combining local monitoring data with landscape-scale modelling, helping to understand how individual sponge measures can work together to improve the overall water balance.
Framework for Co-benefit and Trade-off Analysis: The project develops a comprehensive framework for assessing co-benefits and trade-offs of sponge measures, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and socio-economic impacts. This framework allows stakeholders to evaluate multiple intervention scenarios, enabling more strategic planning based on ecological and economic outcomes.
GeoDesign Approach for Stakeholder Engagement: In the SpongeLabs, a participatory GeoDesign approach was employed, integrating stakeholder input into scenario planning. This method facilitated collaboration among water managers, farmers, and policymakers, ensuring that proposed sponge strategies are both scientifically robust and locally feasible.
SpongeGIS – Digital Opportunity Mapping for enhancing water retention in landscapes: The SpongeGIS tool was developed to provide stakeholders with a decision-support system for identifying high-priority areas where water retention capacity can be enhanced using sponge measures. By integrating data on land use, topography, hydrology, and socio-economic factors, SpongeGIS enables users to visualise potential intervention zones and assess the expected impact of proposed measures. This tool enhances strategic planning and supports evidence-based decision-making at multiple scales.

Case Study 04: Evenlode, UK

Sponge Landscape Concept

SpongeScapes Logo

Case Study 01: Chaamse beken, NL

Case Study 13: Bierbza, PL

Case Study 12: Bosco Limite, IT

Case Study 14: Pharos, GR