The Baltic drainage basin project

Objective

The objective is to undertake an interdisciplinary analysis of the Baltic resource system in order to improve its overall management, and in particular reduce the damage caused by excessive nutrient loading.

The project adopts a systems approach to the modelling of nutrient transfer and associated damage cost functions, and a GIS (Geographical Information System) is employed to collect relevant land use data. The outputs include :

i) a digital map of the Baltic Sea drainage basin that shows population density and gives of a visual picture of current patterns of resource consumption in the basin ;

ii) a much better picture of the nutrient loading problem from detailed studies of the transportation of nutrients between sub-basins. The results are now being added to a matrix, together with data on land use, hydrology, population and economic activities.

The project has the following components :

i) Nutrient control costs are estimated across a range of abatement options. Cost functions for nutrient reductions from agriculture and sewage treatment plants are estimated across sixteen drainage basins ;

ii) recreation loss due to water deterioration are quantified and evaluated. Beach recreation loss are estimated via travel cost and contingent valuation methods.

iii) Wetland ecosystem loss and fisheries loss phenomena are also addressed

iv) the institutional implications of a new resource management regime are investigated via game theory as well as a survey of current institutions and arrangements in the region.

The project has been selected for additional funding under the PECO Programme. The project includes participants from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › physical geography › cartography › geographic information systems
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › soil sciences › land-based treatment
• engineering and technology › civil engineering › water engineering › urban drainage
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › hydrology › drainage basins
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems
• natural sciences › mathematics › applied mathematics › game theory

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0306 - The integration of environmental concerns into coastal zone management

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

Address

University Plain
NR4 7TJ Norwich
United Kingdom

Participants (5)

GRID Arendal

Norway

Address

Longum Park Technology Centre
4801 Arendal

STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS - BUSINESS SCHOOL

Sweden

Address

Hollaendargatan 32
113 83 Stockholm

STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITET

Sweden

Address

Svante Arrhenius Vaeg 21 A
106 91 Stockholm

The Beijer International Institute ofEcological Economics

Sweden

Address

104 05 Stockholm

Universität Gesamthochschule Siegen

Germany

Address

Hölderlinstraße 3
57076 Siegen