IAMG Network – Europe

initiated on 1.9.1995

The International Aquatic  Modeling Network – Europe (IAMN-E) is the European part of the International Aquatic Modeling Group (IAMG) is designed to facilitate an integrated, applied, research programme which will develop methods of assessing the interactions between instream flora and fauna and aquatic habitats. The group aims to meet the increasing demands for improved operational tools specifically designed to provide better quantitative assessment of the effect of artificial influences on aquatic ecosystems. This will be achieved through the development and application of innovative scientific and analytical procedures to the issues in question, using a broad multi-disciplinary approach. The IAMG consists of the continental networks like IAMN-E or IAMN-AM that follow the same topics geographically adapted and that are cross-linked through the associated memberships.

Background

The requirement for quantitative tools which can assess the impact of artificial influences on aquatic ecology in a consistent and reproducible manner has increased over the past two decades. At present many of existing tools or methodologies have come under criticism, especially in their applicability to meet more holistic ecosystem management goals. There is a growing recognition that such an approach to the management of aquatic systems will require the development of tools which utilise integrated physical, chemical and biological process driven methods. Although there are a large number of individual organisations and researchers examining topics directly related to this issue, there does not exist a framework for a focused, integrated and timely exchange of current research progress and output, or for the development of strategic, multi-national, co-operative research programmes. The IAMG is intended to provide this framework capitalising on existing individual and networked research programmes like IAMN-E.

Research Focus Areas

• Characterisation of the Spatial Domain
• Instrumentation
• Measurement Scale Transferability
• Temporal Dynamics
• River Scale Morphology
• Trophic Level Dynamics
• Hydraulicmodeling
• Water Qualitymodeling
• Biological life-history
• Assessment Methods
• Technology Transfer

List of Participants

• University of Agriculture Sciences, Vienna
  • Institute of Water Provision, Water Ecology and Waste Management
  • Institute of Water Management, Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
  • Department of Hydrobiology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (HFA)

• Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources and Water Pollution Control (EAWAG)
  • Limnological Research Center

• UK National Environmental Research Council (NERC)
  • Institute of Hydrology

• University of Evora
  • Department of Ecology

• Utah State University
  • Institute for Natural Systems Engineering
  • Utah Water Research Laboratory

• University of Melbourne
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • CRC for Catchment Hydrology

• University Stuttgart
  • Institute of Waterengineering

• The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research at Norwegian Institute of Technology (SINTEF)
• National Institute of Scientific Research – Water (INRS-Eau)
• Instituto da Aqua (INAG)