Water Management and Related Environmental Issues in Large Mediterranean Basins: Case Studies from the Ebro and the Po Catchments

Water exploitation for hydropower and irrigation alters the natural hydrologic regime of rivers, and consequently instream biocenosis and ecological processes. The identification of management decisions able to protect freshwater ecosystems while maintaining important water uses is a crucial issue for both science and management. This study presents and compares water management schemes into two large Mediterranean river basins. Environmental issues linked to management are discussed taking into account different local features and the regulatory framework.