Part 2 of Deliverable 2.1 ' Multi-scale framework and indicators of hydromorphological processes and forms' provides fuller details concerning some specific topics outlined in Part 1. 

A method for automating delineation of river reaches is described and tested (Annex A). Information on the natural riparian and aquatic plant communities of Europe is tabulated (Annex B). Flow regime analysis (Annex C) is explored in far greater detail than in part 1, with indicators fully defined and several different methods described. Quantifying the calibre and structure of river sediments is a challenging task, so Annex D goes into this topic in depth, providing the information required for sampling regimes to be designed. In Annex E, some additional information on the classification of rivers and floodplains is provided.

Following a brief description of sediment budgets (Annex F), a more extended description of empirically defined threshold conditions between rivers of different type (Annex G), and a description of a range of sediment transport formulae (Annex H), Annex I presents a series of modelling applications that have been developed for network, reach and habitat scale applications. These are presented in the form of applications of particular models to individual European rivers, many of which are the focus of catchment case studies in Parts 3 and 4 of Deliverable 2.1.

Deliverable 2.1 Part 2 concludes with a review of how remote sensing can contribute to assessment of particular features, processes and characteristics that are required during the application of the hierarchical framework.

Work Package 2 of REFORM focuses on hydromorphological and ecological processes and interactions within river systems with a particular emphasis on naturally functioning systems. It provides a context for research on the impacts of hydromorphological changes in Work Package 3 and for assessments of the effects of river restoration in Work Package 4. 

Deliverable 2.1 of Work Package 2 proposes a hierarchical framework to support river managers in exploring the causes of hydromorphological management problems and devising sustainable solutions. The deliverable has four parts. Part 1 (this volume) provides a full description of the hierarchical framework and describes ways in which each element of it can be applied to European rivers and their catchments. Part 2 includes thematic annexes which provide more detailed information on some specific aspects of the framework described in Part 1. Part 3 includes catchment case studies which present the application of the entire framework described in Part 1 to a set of European catchments located in different biogeographical zones. Part 4 includes catchment case studies which present a partial application of the framework described in Part 1 to a further set of European catchments.

An increasing number of rivers have been restored over the past few decades but only a small number of these projects have been monitored, and hence, the knowledge on the effect of river restoration on biota is limited. Nevertheless, monitoring results of several projects are available in peer-reviewed scientific literature and have been compiled in recent research projects. The objective was to evaluate the effect of hydromorphological restoration on biota based on these existing data. Specific objectives were to quantify restoration success, to identify catchment, river reach, and project characteristics which influence (either constrain or enhance) the effect of restoration, and to derive recommendations for river management. The study is complemented by a satellite topic on urban river restoration.

WP2 focuses on hydromorphological and ecological processes and interactions within river systems with a particular emphasis on naturally functioning systems. D2.1 proposes a hierarchical framework to support river managers in exploring the causes of river management problems and devising sustainable solutions. D2.2 builds on this framework by exploring published research and available data sets to more formally encompass the biota. This report (Part 1 of Deliverable 2.2) is concerned with riparian and aquatic vegetation. It encompasses the following sections: natural vegetation and hydromorphological of European rivers; a conceptual model of vegetation-hydromorphology interactions; application of the conceptual model to European rivers.

WP2 focuses on hydromorphological and ecological processes and interactions within naturally functioning river systems. D2.1 proposes a hierarchical framework to support river managers in exploring the causes of river management problems and devising sustainable solutions. D2.2 builds on this framework by exploring published research and available data sets to more formally encompass the biota. This report (Part 2 of Deliverable 2.2) considers interactions between hydromorphology and macroinvertebrates and fish, and the role of floods and droughts as biota-shaping phenomena. Lastly, part 2 presents conclusions from the whole of Deliverable 2.2.

Review on costs and benefits of river restoration. Data were collected in a database to empirically investigate the costs of river restoration measures throughout Europe. Also, a summary of restoration planning and the specific measures which can inform the future development of cost-benefit analysis and their application were introduced. A non-exhaustive review of peer-reviewed literature and technical reports was conducted to elicit the effects of individual measures, providing a basis for the analysis of restoration benefits.

With an increasing emphasis on river restoration comes a need for new techniques and guidance. Despite the rapid increase in river restoration projects, little is known about the effectiveness of these restoration efforts. Restoration outcomes are often not fully evaluated in terms of success or reasons for success or failure. This report strived to meet this need by developing a protocol for benchmarking and setting specific and measurable targets for restoration and mitigation.

The purpose of WP3 is to address degraded river systems. The aim of the first deliverable D3.1 was to begin the development of metrics which indicate the impact of hydromorphological degradation on biota  using existing data. The output, an informed choice of key metrics, aims to support the stakeholder decision making processes and their ability to target desired project goals. These indicators of degradation should be viewed as an interim solution while a more comprehensive and tested approach is produced from WP2 and the final system developed will be an integral part of WP6.

An analytical framework is developed for estimating ecosystem services delivered by restored and non-restored river corridors, i.e. the active river channel and its accompanying valley floor. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment approach towards ecosystem services is adopted with a focus on final services, i.e. only those services are quantified that provide a net benefit to societal beneficiaries. A long list of services potentially provided by European rivers is provided and linked qualitatively to a river style typology developed in D2.1 by Gurnell and colleagues.