Fluvial hydraulics and river restoration

In the last ten years I have collaborated in several research projects framed in different European countries (Italy, Spain, UK, Latvia, Sweden) as well as in Latin America, Asia and Africa to study diverse aspects of river restoration, conservation of aquatic ecosystems and water resources management. I also had an active role in projects focused on hydropower production, evaluating the impacts of flow regulation on the aquatic community and assessing the effectiveness of different river restoration measures.

Fluvial hydraulics and river restoration

Related publications:

Benson T., De Bie J., Gaskell J., Vezza P., Kerr J. R., Lumbroso D., Owen M.R., Kemp, P. S. 2021. Agent-based modelling of juvenile eel migration via selective tidal stream transport. Ecological Modelling, 443, 109448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109448

Virbickas T., Vezza P., Kriaučiūnienė J., Akstinas V., Šarauskienė D., Steponėnas A. 2020. Impacts of low-head hydropower plants on cyprinid-dominated fish assemblages in Lithuanian rivers. Scientific Reports . 10(1), 1-14 (2020). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-78701-8

Allen, D. C., Datry, T., Boersma, K. S., Bogan, M. T., Boulton, A. J., Bruno, D., Busch M.H, Costigan K.H., Dodds W.K., Fritz K.M., Godsey S.E., Jones J.B., Kaletova T., Kampf S.K., Mims M.C., Neeson T.M., Olden J.D., Pastor A.V., Poff N.L., Ruddell B.L., Ruhi A., Singer G., Vezza P., Ward A.S., Zimmer M. 2020. River ecosystem conceptual models and non-perennial rivers: A critical review. WIREs Water 7, e1473, doi:10.1002/wat2.1473 (2020)

Latella M., Bertagni M. B., Vezza P., Camporeale C. 2020. An integrated methodology to study riparian vegetation dynamics: From field data to impact modeling. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 12, e2020MS002094. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020MS002094

Vassoney E., Mammoliti Mochet A., Rocco R., Maddalena R., Vezza P., Comoglio C. 2019. Integrating meso-scale habitat modelling in the multicriteria analysis (MCA) process for the assessment of hydropower sustainability. Water. 11(4),640. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040640

River habitat modelling

The methodology used for habitat modelling is based on the meso-scale approach of the MesoHABSIM simulation system, integrated with a new system for the survey and classification of river geomorphic units (see, Belletti et al., 2017, Geomorphology).

habitat modelling in high gradient streams The methodology can support the assessment of environmental flows and habitat restoration measures. The habitat modelling method has been applied to both aquatic and terrestrial organisms and can be used to evaluate habitat suitability in both perennial and intermittent rivers

Related publications:

Vezza P., Zanin A., Parasiewicz P., 2017. Manuale tecnico-operativo per la modellazione e la valutazione dell’integrità dell’habitat fluviale. ISPRA – Manuali e Linee Guida 154/2017. ISPRA, Roma, Italia. 116 pp., ISBN: 978-88-448-0827-3

Belletti B., Rinaldi M., Bussettini M., Comiti F., Gurnell A.M., Mao L., Nardi L., Vezza P. 2017. Characterising physical habitats and fluvial hydromorphology: a new system for the survey and classification of river geomorphic units. Geomorphology. 283:143–157. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.01.032

Parasiewicz P., Castelli E., Rogers J.N., Vezza P. 2016. Implementation of the natural flow paradigm to protect dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the upper Delaware River. River Research and Applications. doi: 10.1002/rra.3112.

Vezza P., Ghia D., Fea G., 2015. Quantitative habitat models for the conservation of the endangered European crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex. In: T. Kawai & N. Cumberlidge (eds.), A Global Overview of the Conservation of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans; Springer International Publishing 2015. Chapter 12, pp: 339-358. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42527-6_12.

Parasiewicz P., Rogers J.N., Vezza P., Gortazar J., Seager T., Pegg M., Wiśniewolski W., Comoglio C. 2013. Applications of the MesoHABSIM Simulation Model. In Ecohydraulics: an integrated approach. Edited by: Maddock I., Harby A., Kemp P. and Wood P., John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 109-125.

Vezza P., Parasiewicz P., Spairani M., Comoglio C. 2013. Habitat modelling in high gradient streams: the meso-scale approach and application. Ecological Applications. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/11-2066.1.

Vezza P., Parasiewicz P., Spairani M., Comoglio C., 2012, Meso-scale habitat modeling in Alpine high gradient streams, In 9th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics 2012 Proceedings, Vienna, Austria. Eds: Mader H. and Kraml J., ISBN: 978-3-200-02862-3.

 

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Environmental flows assessment

Defining environmental flow requirements is necessary to inform managers and develop the regional-scale water planning.

WMO e-flows guidance

 

The e-flows assessment methodology considers hydrological and morphological aspects in defining e-flows for environmental river management. In particular, the assessment of e-flows considers how fluvial habitats are effectively shaped by the combined interaction of water, sediments, woody/organic material and riparian vegetation, trying to broaden the current e-flow concept and to consider geomorphological river changes when specifying e-flows.

Related publications:

Acuña V. , Jorda‐Capdevila D., Vezza P., De Girolamo A.M., McClain M.E., Stubbington R., Pastor A.V., Lamouroux N., von Schiller D., Munné A., Datry T. 2020. Accounting for flow intermittency in environmental flows design. Journal of Applied Ecology. 57: 742– 753. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13590

Bussettini, M.; Vezza, P., 2019. Guidance on Environmental Flows - Integrating E-flow Science with Fluvial Geomorphology to Maintain Ecosystem Services. World Meteorological Organization, United Nations, Ginevra, Svizzera. 52 pp., ISBN: 978-92-63-11235-4

Belletti B., Rinaldi M., Bussettini M., Comiti F., Gurnell A.M., Mao L., Nardi L., Vezza P. 2017. Characterising physical habitats and fluvial hydromorphology: a new system for the survey and classification of river geomorphic units. Geomorphology. 283:143–157. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.01.032

Vezza P., Parasiewicz P., Rosso M., Comoglio C., 2012. Defining minimum environmental flows at regional scale: application of mesoscale habitat models and catchments classification. River Research and Applications. 28(6):717–730

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Biological response to hydrodynamics

I started to study biological response to hydrodynamics since 2007. My contribution in this field consists of species distribution models for a particular target species, life stage or guilds. Multivariate predictive models have been developed for different water-related organisms in Italy, Spain and Greece. Statistical analyses are performed for one or more rivers simultaneously considering chemical, physical and biological habitat descriptors.

example of studied species The analysis is performed with different techniques (e.g., Random Forests, Artificial Neural Networks, Logistic Regressions) to identify the habitat characteristics mostly used by the target species.

The HolRiverMed project at the Univ. Politecnica de Valencia (Spain) was mainly focused on habitat modelling for both animals and plants, along with different applications in the Mediterranean area.

Related publications:

Vezza P., Libardoni F., Manes C., Tsuzaki T., Bertoldi W., Kemp, P.S. 2020. Rethinking swimming performance tests for bottom-dwelling fish: the case of European glass eel (Anguilla anguilla). Scientific Reports . 0, 16416 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72957-w

Adamczyk M., Parasiewicz P., Vezza P., Prus P., De Cesare G. 2019. Empirical Validation of MesoHABSIM Models Developed with Different Habitat Suitability Criteria for Bullhead Cottus Gobio L. as an Indicator Species. Water. 11(4),726. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040726.

Muñoz-Mas R., Vezza P., Alcaraz-Hernández J.D., Martinez-Capel F., 2016. Risk of invasion predicted with support vector machines: a case study on northern pike (Esox Lucius, L.) and bleak (Alburnus alburnus, L.). Ecological Modelling. 342:123-134. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.10.006.

Muñoz-Mas R., Fukuda S., Vezza P., Martinez-Capel F., 2016. Comparing four methods for decision-tree induction: a case study on the invasive Iberian gudgeon (Gobio lozanoi; Doadrio & Madeira). Ecological Informatics. 34:22-34. doi:10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.04.011.

Vezza P., Martinez-Capel F., Muñoz-Mas R., Mouton A., 2015. Random forests to evaluate biotic interactions in fish distribution models. Environmental Modelling & Software. 67:173-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.01.005.

Olaya-Marín E.J., Martínez-Capel F., Garcia-Bartual R., Vezza P. 2016. Modelling critical factors affecting the distribution of a vulnerable endemic barbel in mediterranean rivers. Mediterranean Marine Science. doi: 10.12681/mms.1351..

Vezza P., Parasiewicz P., Calles O., Spairani M., Comoglio C. 2013. Modelling habitat requirements of bullhead (Cottus gobio) in Alpine streams. Aquatic Sciences. doi:10.1007/s00027-013-0306-7

Olaya-Marín E.J., Martínez-Capel F., Vezza P. 2013. A comparison of Artificial Neural Networks and Random Forests to predict native fish species richness in Mediterranean rivers. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems. doi:10.1051/kmae/2013052.

Vezza P., Martinez Capel F., Muñoz Mas R., Alcaraz J.D., Comoglio C., 2011, Habitat suitability modeling with Random Forests as a tool for fish conservation in Mediterranean rivers, In 9th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics 2012 Proceedings, Vienna, Austria. Eds: Mader H. and Kraml J., ISBN: 978-3-200-02862-3

Ghia D., Vezza P., Fea G., Spairani M., Sacchi R. 2013, The meso-habitat scale as a new approach for the conservation of the endangered crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex in Northern Italy. Regional European crayfish meeting, Croatia. Contribution awarded for its novelty and originality.

Garofano-Gomez V., Vezza P., Martínez-Capel F., 2014, Modeling riparian species and guild distribution using Random Forests. In 10th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics 2014, Trondheim, Norway.

Vezza P., Ghia D., Fea G., Spairani M., Comoglio C., 2014, Habitat requirements of the endangered crayfish Austropotamobious pallipes complex in Northern Italy. In 10th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics 2014, Trondheim, Norway.

Garofano-Gomez V., Vezza P., Martínez-Capel F., Francés F., Egger G., Ferreira T., 2014, Key drivers of riparian vegetation successional pathways in a Mediterranean river system. In 10th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics 2014, Trondheim, Norway.

 

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Habitat indices for rivers

The work proposes two indices to evaluate the spatial and temporal alteration of instream habitats. First, the index of spatial habitat availability (ISH) was used to describe the average amount of habitat loss due to a particular pressure. Second, the index of temporal habitat availability (ITH) was used to measure the increase of continuous duration of events when habitat bottlenecks created stress to the fauna.

Indicator of Habitat Stress Days Alteration

The achieved results indicate that the proposed indices are flexible tools since they can capture both spatial and temporal alterations of habitat structure and can be applied to different kind of pressures (e.g., hydropower generation, hydropeaking, sediment flushing).

 

 

 

 

Related publications:

Bussettini, M.; Vezza, P., 2019. Guidance on Environmental Flows - Integrating E-flow Science with Fluvial Geomorphology to Maintain Ecosystem Services. World Meteorological Organization, United Nations, Ginevra, Svizzera. 52 pp., ISBN: 978-92-63-11235-4

Rinaldi, M., et al. "Final report on methods, models, tools to assess the hydromorphology of rivers." Deliverable 6.2, a report in five parts of REFORM (2015).

Vezza P. Goltara A., Spairani M., Zolezzi G., Siviglia A, Carolli M., Bruno M.C., Boz B., Stellin D., Comoglio C., Parasiewicz P., 2014. Habitat indices for rivers: quantifying the impact of hydro-morphological alterations on the fish community. G. Lollino et al. (eds.), Engineering Geology for Society and Territory – Volume 3, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-09054-2_75

Parasiewicz P., Ryan K., Vezza P., Comoglio C., Ballestero T., Rogers J.N. 2013. Use of quantitative habitat models for establishing performance metrics in river restoration planning. Ecohydrology. 6(4):668-678. doi: 10.1002/eco.1350

 

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Low flows hydrology

Low flows events can cause a reduction in habitat availability, food production and water quality, concentrating chemical nutrients and quickening the eutrophication processes. On the one hand, in Mediterranean climate the period of low flows usually occur during summer when evaporation exceeds precipitation at catchment scale, or when the competition for water between instream flow needs and out-of-channel users increases. On the other hand, within mountainous regions of Alps, low flows normally occur during winter when the freezing processes of the soil prevents groundwater from reaching the stream channel.

Low flows regionalization in NW Italy A critical issue to be addressed is the understanding of the most important controls of low flows and, consequently, the estimation of magnitude and frequency of droughts in ungauged sites. I contributed in this field theoretically, investigating the statistical properties and performance of several regionalization techniques and analyzing the influence of soil characteristics in low flows occurrence at regional scale. These methodologies allow the general comprehension of low flows controls and estimation in ungauged catchments, which are very important issue for water planning and water quantity and quality maintenance for wildlife conservation.

Related publications:

Vezza P., Comoglio C., Rosso M., Viglione A., 2010. Low flows regionalization in North-Western Italy. Water Resources Management, 24(14):4049-4074.

Vezza P., Comoglio C., Rosso M., Viglione A., 2009. The influence of soil characteristics in low flows regionalization. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5(4):536-546.

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