This paper presents a holistic strategy on the
interaction of activities in the Elbe river basin and their
effects on eutrophication in the coastal waters of the
German Bight. This catchment–coastal zone interaction
is the main target of the EUROCAT (EUROpean
CATchments, catchment changes and their impact on
the coast) research project, with the Elbe being one of
eight case studies. The definition of socio-economic
scenarios is linked with the application of models to
evaluate measures in the catchment by estimation of
nutrient emissions with MONERIS (MOdelling Nutrient
Emissions in RIver Systems), and their effects on
coastal waters with the ecosystem model ERSEM
(European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model). The cost
effectiveness of reduction measures will then be evaluated
by application of the CENER model (Cost-Effective
Nutrient Emission Reduction) and a multi-criteria
analysis. Finally, the interpretation of ecological integrity
is used as a measure to describe ecological impacts in
an aggregated form.
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