European catchments, catchments changes and their impact on the coast (EUROCAT)

In this project we will develop a quantifiable framework of analysis for improved planning and management of catchments by analysing the response of the coastal sea to changes in fluxes of nutrients and contaminants from the catchments. These changes in fluxes are caused by the implementation of regulations, management schemes and by socio-econornic changes. In addition the rate of change is modified by the biogeochemical and physical properties of the catchments. To elucidate these various factors, six regional catchments studies will be carried out using a common framework of analysis (DPSIR). To link the socio-economic drivers in the catchments to the coastal response, the concept of critical loads will be extended to the coast-coast continuum.