Systeemgerichte ecologische stressanalyse (SESA) Geul: Methodeontwikkeling voor heuvellandbeken en toepassing op het stroomgebied van de Geul

The system-oriented ecological stress analysis is a method for determining the current ecological state of a watershed and to assess its recovery potential. Furthermore, restoration targets and associated restoration measures are proposed to achieve a good ecological status. This report describes the method development for high-gradient streams, which is applied to the Geul catchment. The main stressors responsible for ecosystem degradation are quantified on different spatial scales, from the catchment-level to instream measures on the reach to habitat scale. Several scenarios are outlined consisting of combinations of restoration measures. Also, macrofauna, fish and aquatic vegetation communities of the Geul catchment are described and it is determined which currently missing species could potentially establish in the streams if the restoration targets are met.