Thomas Wendt

PhD subject  An eco-strategic framework for river restoration

Rivers worldwide are subject to increasing environmental pressures, ranging from habitat fragmentation and hydromorphological alterations to biodiversity loss. Despite significant efforts in river restoration, projects often remain fragmented, inconsistently evaluated, and limited in their ability to enhance long-term ecological resilience. Current restoration approaches frequently overlook systemic perspectives, leading to isolated efforts that fail to maximise ecological potential and sustainability.

This PhD research develops an eco-strategic framework to enhance river restoration outcomes by integrating ecological, socio-political, and methodological dimensions. Using the Upper Rhine as a case study, the research investigates key barriers and success factors in past restoration efforts while advancing standardised approaches for future projects. The study is structured around five core objectives:

  • Defining success in river restoration by critically analysing global methodologies and advocating for a standardised benchmark.
  • Evaluating past restoration efforts along the Upper Rhine through a retrospective analysis of roughly 140 projects, identifying patterns, inefficiencies, and best practices.
  • Understanding stakeholder perspectives to assess socio-political and cultural influences on restoration outcomes, fostering improved collaboration and governance.
  • Assessing ecological connectivity improvements to determine the extent to which restoration enhances lateral and longitudinal connectivity in river ecosystems.
  • Developing an adaptive decision-support tool that integrates ecological, economic, and policy factors to guide evidence-based river restoration at local, regional, and transboundary scales.

By combining a systematic literature review, meta-analysis of past projects, stakeholder interviews, ecological assessments, and decision-support modelling, this research bridges scientific knowledge with applied restoration practice. The findings contribute to the standardisation of river restoration methodologies and inform policy recommendations for more effective, scalable, and resilient conservation strategies.

Ultimately, this PhD research aims to provide a blueprint for eco-strategic river restoration, offering practical solutions for policymakers, conservationists, and practitioners working to enhance aquatic ecosystem resilience. The research also aligns with broader EU conservation goals, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches that harmonise ecological science with governance frameworks.