Learning from Research

Databank to support the implementation and monitoring of the Water Framework Directive

This tool re-uses Earth Observation data generated by DIANA’s other tools and combines them with other available data at the river basin level to create a databank supporting the WFD operation.

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Output Description

In the frame of detecting non-authorised water abstractions and drought monitoring and seasonal forecasting services, the DIANA project produces a considerable amount of high spatial and temporal resolution data on a river basin scale. These data products could be a potential data source to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and, more specifically on the following areas: 

  • Analysis of Pressures and Impacts (IMPRESS Analysis);
  • Monitoring Programmes for surface and groundwater bodies;
  • Programming of Measures through the process of river basin management plans;
  • Recovery of costs for water services through water pricing. 

DIANA produces Earth Observation (EO) data of high spatial and temporal resolution combined with meteorological and hydrological data at the river basin scale. Earth Observation techniques are implemented to compliment on site estimations in the water bodies’ classification stage and during water quality monitoring (surveillance, operational, investigative monitoring), providing data regarding biological, physicochemical and hydro-morphological quality elements. Additionally, land-use changes, mainly crop change detection as part of pressure analysis, constitutes one of the most common application fields for the earth observation approach.

Relevance for monitoring and evaluation of the CAP

The project developed the databank to facilitate and support activities within the Water Framework Directive. Evaluators can re-use the data provided by the databank to serve evaluation purposes. Data potentially used in an evaluation include a map of irrigated and non-irrigated parcels, an estimate of total water abstraction for irrigation and maps of potential evapotranspiration. More sophisticated geostatistical evaluation analyses can be carried out if maps can be linked to IACS/LPIS maps of the beneficiary and non-beneficiary farms for specific measures. 

In addition, the databank supports WFD evaluators in implementing an Analysis of Pressures and Impacts (IMPRESS Analysis) as required by article 5 of the WFD. This analysis contains a part explicitly devoted to the Pressures exercised by agricultural activity on the water resource. The IMPRESS analysis for WFD can be a good starting point for evaluating the impacts of measures on water abstraction and quality. 

The tool was tested at the Júcar river basin in Spain. The Spanish national ministry collaborated in developing and testing the WFD implementation support service. The lead partner’s contact person provides access to some parts of the databank upon request. 

Relevance of the output per CAP Objectives

  • Specific Objective 4 – Climate change action 
  • Specific Objective 5 – Environmental care

Additional output information

Data collection systems used:

  • IACS/LPIS
  • Copernicus
  • LUCAS Soil or relevant soil inventories 
  • WFD-Waterbase or relevant water inventories

Type of output:

  • New / improved data for M&E

Associated evaluation approaches:

  • Desk research
  • Data analysis
  • Impact evaluation ex ante
  • Impact evaluation ongoing

Spatial scale:

  • Regional (River basin level)

Project information

Diana Logo

Detection and Integrated Assessment of Non-authorised water Abstractions using Earth Observation

DIANA aims to:

  • To capture and analyse the needs and requirements of DIANA users and stakeholders, including water managers and authorities, farmers’ associations, agricultural cooperatives and agricultural consultants. 

  • To implement an Earth Observation methodology and production line for detecting irrigated areas and estimating irrigation requirements and possibly actual water use. 

  • To design the overall information technology architecture, which realised the project’s suite of demand-driven services based on Earth Observation, on-site observation and model output data.  

  • To monitor the pilot studies' operation and performance, co-evaluate users’ experiences, and validate the pilot studies’ results.  

  • To design a commercially viable and suitable business model to fit the needs of the potential customers as well as the interests of the project’s partners 

Project’s timeframe: 2017 – 2019

Contacts of project holder: Dimitra Perperidou, AGRO APPS (dperperidou@agroapps.gr)

Website: DIANA: https://diana-h2020.eu/en/ 

DIANA deliverables: https://diana-h2020.eu/en/public-deliverables/ 

CORDIS database: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/730109 

Territorial coverage: Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain

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