Bridging the gap between water managers and research communities in a transboundary river: Nutrient transport and monitoring regimes in the Drim/Drini Catchment Stig A. Borgvang, Dusko Mukaetov, John Rune Selvik, Spase Shumka, Eva Skarbøvik, Per G. Stålnacke, and Nils H. Vagstad

Research Under- standing Ideas Science Reliable data Implement measures Problem Management Bridging the gap

The Drim/Drini: A unique catchment  Transboundary  Drainage area 18,518 km 2  Has three large lakes, Prespa, Ohrid and Skadar Albania Serbia Kosovo Greece Macedonia Monte -negro

DRIMPOL objectives  Compile and analyse existing data on water quality and nutrient sources in the catchment  Generate nutrient load budgets for the catchment, with special focus on the lakes Ohrid and Prespa  Assess the need for future abatement plans Quantify the amount of pollution load into the Drim/Drini catchment system, with particular regard to nutrient loads.

Data used: 23 stations throughout the catchment: River and lake water quality; Waterflow

Entire Drim/Drini: Nitrate concentrations Agriculture

Entire Drim/Drini: Orthophosphate concentrations Sewage problem

Management challenges  Few long time-series (generally only 2-7 years)  Low sampling frequency (4-6 times/yr)  Time series with varying time span  Crucial parameters not in standard monitoring programmes (e.g., total phosphorus)  Different parameters analysed in the two countries (e.g., no tot-P in Albania)

TEOTIL Tool for estimating nutrient loads Source related

From research to management DRIMPOL Load estimates t N t P Should be adjusted as new information is obtained! Need reliable data for setting environmental goals Environmental goals are useful management tools

Recommendations  More targeted sampling strategies  Co-operation across borders highly adviseable  Harmonise parameters and monitoring strategies  Long-term commitments needed