The general purpose of the project is to consolidate and acquire knowledge on ecosystem processes, boundary conditions and beneficial re-use of soft dredging material, in order to facilitate tidal marsh habitats restoration in previously eroded environments, enhancing ecosystem services delivery. Innovation is actively pursued in both biological and technological aspects with a strong emphasis on developing synergies and integration to tackle the high risks linked to the highly dynamic and complex environment this project is situated in, i.e. erosive tidal rivers embankments.

The knowledge partners will employ their facilities and expertise in ecosystem management and hydrodynamics to answer eminent research questions linked to the boundary criteria of such highly turbulent and dynamic environment. The industrial partners will design a so-called DRECO (Dredged Ecological Compartment), wherein novel procedures are required to handle, install and dewater soft dredged material.

The boundary criteria, the procedures and prototypes will be experimentally tested and validated in controlled and natural pilot test conditions.