Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme

Ecohydrology
Platform

Reversing degradation of water resources and stopping further decline in biodiversity through the optimization of ecosystem services.

Latest News

Welcome to the New Ecohydrology Platform
gru 12, 2025

Welcome to the New Ecohydrology Platform

The UNESCO Ecohydrology Programme was officially introduced into the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) in 1996 as a scientific...

EHYN Webinar: “River Culture — Our Natural Flow”
paź 08, 2025

EHYN Webinar: “River Culture — Our Natural Flow”

On October 8th, the UNESCO Ecohydrology Youth Network hosted a webinar titled “River Culture: Our Natural Flow”, featuring...

Lake Texcoco, first Ecohydrology Demonstration Site in Mexico by UNESCO
lut 06, 2025

Lake Texcoco, first Ecohydrology Demonstration Site in Mexico by UNESCO

The Natural Resources Protection Area (NRPA) of Lake Texcoco has been designated as an Ecohydrology Demonstration Site by...

MORE...

What is Ecohydrology?

In the face of increasing climate instability, demographic growth and human migrations, and the emergence of new geopolitical centres, which will affect the global economy (including increase of food prices and intensified environmental impact), there is an urgent need to reverse degradation of water resources and stop further decline in biodiversity. Appreciation and optimization of ecosystem services for society along with enhancement of resilience of river basins to climatic and anthropogenic stress may greatly contribute to reach this goal.

The Anthropocene Challenge

In the Anthropocene, most of the global landscape, except deserts, high mountains and the boreal zone, has been converted into agricultural land with spots of highly modified urban areas. This over-engineering of urban and agricultural landscapes results in a reduction of biomass and organic matter, leading to a modification of the water cycle from the model situation where biological component stabilizes the heat budget and water dynamics at the intermediate disturbance level, to a model where the water cycle accelerates and becomes more stochastic and unfavourable for biota and humanity (droughts and catastrophic floods).

The Two-Step Strategy

Additionally, these processes reduce carbon storage and nutrients transfer from mineral to organic forms, impacting the material cycle. To reverse those negative processes, a two-steps strategy has to be elaborated and implemented.

  • 1

    Von Weizsäcker’s ReductionThe first proposed step should be based on Von Weizsäcker’s reduction of energy and matter use per GDP.

  • 2

    Ecohydrology TheoryThe second proposed step is based on Ecohydrology theory to regulate hydrological and nutrients’ cycles in “novel ecosystems” (agricultural and urban) towards the enhancement of carrying capacity of the global ecosystem.

"Carrying capacity enhancement is understood as the enhancement related to water resources, biodiversity, ecosystem services for societies and the resilience to increasing various forms of impact."

Demosites

Since 2011 UNESCO-IHP promotes the establishment of various demonstration sites around the world to apply Ecohydrology solutions in watersheds at all scales. Each demonstration site aims to apply Ecohydrology principles and solutions to solve both social and environmental issues.

These solution-oriented projects and methodologies are shown in this web-platform to disseminate the acquired information to UNESCO’s Member States and the general public. This information will allow to apply an Integrated Water Management in other locations. The demonstration sites and their main characteristics (including related scientific papers, etc.) are synthesized and are available to access through the following list or map visualization.

Global Impact

Explore solutions implemented in diverse watersheds globally.

Events

UNESCO and related organizations are organizing events around the world. Here you will find the links to some of them. For other queries and general questions related to the conferences, including requests for invitation letters, please contact the organizers directly.

MORE...
International

International Conference on Ecohydrology

The International Conference on Ecohydrology seeks to bring together the international scientific and educational communities...

Conference

Africa Water Week

ACHIEVING THE SDGs ON WATER SECURITY AND SANITATION.

UNESCO IHP

The Int. Ecohydrology Conference

The International Ecohydrology Conference - for security of aquatic systems and societies...

Apply to the EH Network

If you have a long-term engagement with a solution-oriented project that applies a ecohydrological implementation principle, you are welcome to postulate to the Ecohydrology Network.

The main benefit of being part of the network is the visibility that the project can get, deploying to a wider audience: more people can know the project. Every year UNESCO-IHP and specifically the Ecohydrology Programme reach several seminars and related events around the world disseminating the Ecohydrology concept and the demonstration sites information.

Additional, an intangible good reputation is acquired by projects inside of the network, an additional value regarding founds solicitation.

Application Process

Application to become a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration site will be done through a two-step on line questionnaire.

1

Main Description

First step: provide a main description of the demonstration site that will be submitted to the Scientific Advisory Committee.

2

Technical Form

Second step: If accepted, you’ll have access to the EH Technical Form, a second and more detailed questionnaire (8 sections).

Start Application

"Demonstration cards" will be constructed through an automatic user friendly process.

Platform Logo

About This Platform

The web-platform contains information about the Ecohydrology demonstration sites and their main characteristics (including related scientific papers etc.), major ecohydrology-related events, funding opportunities and a link to apply to the Ecohydrology network. Application to become a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration site can be done through the web platform and “demosite cards” will be constructed through an automatic user-friendly process. The web platform will bring a new, unified-format visualization of the works done separately on each demosite, also playing the role of a shared platform to bring together the related scientific projects and to revitalize the network.

Funding Opportunities List

TypeComments
1. List of science magazine for grants Most of them require a subscription
2. List of European grants Recommended: sustainable development and environment

The UNESCO Water Family

The Ecohydrology family is part of the UNESCO Water Family and also includes other stakeholders involved in Ecohydrology activities, such as research and the coordination of demonstration sites. Here is a list of our Ecohydrology Platform partners:

UNESCO Category II Centres

Ethiopia

African Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ARCE)

Addis Ababa

Germany

International Centre on Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC)

Koblenz

Indonesia

Asia-Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology (APCE)

Cibinong

Malaysia

Regional Humid Tropics Hydrology and Water Resources Centre (HTC)

Kuala Lumpur, South-East Asia and the Pacific

Poland

European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ERCE)

Polish Academy of Sciences

United Kingdom

Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science (CWLPS)

University of Dundee, Scotland

UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks

Tanzania

Chair on Ecohydrology and Transboundary Water Management

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Malaysia

Chair on Ecohydraulics for Sustainable Water Infrastructures

Universiti Sains Malaysia, for SDG 6 in Asia & Pacific

Poland

Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology

University of Lodz

Portugal

Chair on Ecohydrology: Water for Ecosystems and Societies

University of Algarve

United Kingdom

UNITWIN Network on Ecohydrological Interfaces under Change

University of Birmingham

Bolivia

Chair in Ecohydrology for Sustainable Water Management

Universidad Mayor de San Andrés

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

The Ecohydrology Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provides strategic guidance for the Ecohydrology Programme within UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP). Its role is to advise the IHP Secretariat on long-term vision, scientific priorities, programme implementation, and opportunities to strengthen the global impact of ecohydrology.

SAC brings together key institutions involved in ecohydrology research, capacity building, and demonstration activities. It is composed of representatives from UNESCO Category 2 Centres, water-related UNESCO Chairs, and Regional Focal Points. This includes regional centres and academic partners from Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as UNESCO Regional Hydrologists. Youth and early-career researchers are also encouraged to contribute to the Committee’s work.

The Committee focuses on reviewing progress, identifying scientific and applied challenges, and shaping future directions for ecohydrology in support of global water agendas. Its discussions cover topics such as the development of demonstration sites, cross-regional collaboration, regional priorities, and the integration of ecohydrological approaches into national and international strategies.

Key Expected Outcomes of SAC’s Work

  1. Identify gaps, opportunities, and future research needs in ecohydrology.
  2. Strengthen international networks applying ecohydrological, solution-oriented approaches to enhance ecosystem services and societal benefits.
  3. Highlight regional priorities and innovative practices that support water security and climate resilience.
  4. Promote the inclusion of ecohydrological concepts in policy frameworks and development plans.

SAC Members

Poland • Chair EH SAC

Prof. Maciej Zalewski

Director, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Portugal • Vice-Chair EH SAC

Prof. Luis Chicharo

Coordinator, Chair in Ecohydrology, University of Algarve and ICCE

The Netherlands • Vice-Chair EH SAC

Prof. Michael McClain

Chair of Ecohydrology, Institute for Water Education, IHE Delft

Italy

Dr. Stefano Fazi

National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Water Research Institute (IRSA)

Ethiopia

Dr. Yohannes Z. Negussie

Director, African Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ARCE)

Ecuador

Mr. Marco Albarracin

INGERALEZA – Ongoing Ecohydrology activities

China

Dr. Li Zhe

Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, CAS

Indonesia

Mr. Ignasius Sutapa

Executive Secretary, Asia-Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology (APCE)

France

Dr. Pascal Breil

National Research Institute of Science and Technology (IRSTEA)

Erasmus Mundus Master

Master in Applied Ecohydrology (MAEH)

Water challenges and ecosystem restoration are highly relevant topics on the global agenda. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Applied Ecohydrology (MAEH) focuses on finding and implementing solutions that ensure the sustainability of the uses and good ecological status of water and aquatic ecosystems, by merging ecohydrology with water engineering and integrated water management.

MAEH graduates will have the holistic perspective and technical knowledge needed for solving the complex and multifactorial problems of water security and aquatic ecosystems sustainability, now and in the future.

Project ends: 2027 Visit Official Website

Consortium Partners

Portugal (Coordinator)

University of Algarve

Faro

Poland

University of Lodz

Lodz

Germany

Technische Hochschule Lübeck

Lübeck

Belgium

University of Antwerp

Antwerp

EH Education

Here you will find all courses and programmes in ecohydrology offered by our EH network members.
Work in progress…

EH Training

Here you will find all training programmes, summer schools and workshops in ecohydrology offered by our EH network members.

Work in progress…