Over the past three and a half years, the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework was put in practice in eight case studies, which were located across the marine, coastal and freshwater realms. These case studies have been specifically selected to:

• showcase specific elements of the objectives of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy relevant for the management of aquatic ecosystems;
• understand the most relevant challenges surrounding the protection of aquatic biodiversity; and
• maximise the lessons learnt and up-scale of results.

In addition, the case studies tested the AQUACROSS Assessment Framework in conjunction with stakeholders.

Now that the project is coming to an end, each case study has summaried their work and final case study results in a 30 page case study report and three page executive summary. These reports and executive summaries are available now at the links below. Additionally, an 8 page summary of all of the case studies is available here as a a Case Study Booklet.

Case Study 1: Trade-offs in ecosystem-based management in the North Sea aimed at achieving Biodiversity Strategy targets

Case Study 2: Analysis of transboundary water ecosystems and green/blue infrastructures in the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean Andalusia (Spain) – Morocco

Case Study 3: Danube River Basin - harmonising inland, coastal and marine ecosystem management to achieve aquatic biodiversity targets

Case Study 4: Management and impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland

Case Study 5: Improving integrated management of Natura 2000 sites in the Ria de Aveiro Natura 2000 site, from catchment to coast, Portugal

Case Study 6: Understanding eutrophication processes and restoring good water quality in Lake Ringsjön - Rönne å Catchment in Kattegat, Sweden

Case Study 7: Biodiversity management for rivers of the Swiss Plateau

Case Study 8: Ecosystem-based solutions to solve sectoral conflicts on the path to sustainable development in the Azores