Digital Twin-based solutions for enhanced integration of ecosystem services in water resource management

EcoTwin is dedicated to strengthening the integration of ecosystem services (ES) within the realm of water resource management, with a specific emphasis on lake ecosystems.

EcoTwin leverages the power of Digital Twins (DTs) as a transformative tool to enhance our understanding, management and long-term protection of aquatic ecosystems.

DTs represent virtual replicas of physical systems, continuously updated in real-time, enabling to explore how lakes respond to changing environmental conditions, human influences, and management strategies.

The core objectives of this project encompass the co-design of an adaptable DT framework in collaboration with key stakeholders, integrating diverse data sources, enabling short-term forecasting, facilitating long-term scenario assessments, and enhancing public engagement.

Moreover, by integrating an adaptable ES module within a DT framework, EcoTwin seeks to instigate a paradigm shift in the management of aquatic ecosystems, thereby securing the sustainability and resilience of lakes while optimizing the delivery of essential ES.

Uppsala University (UU) will lead the WP3 “Data streams”, integrating a wide range of data sources, including satellite earth observations, in-situ and citizen science-derived data that are required to run numerical models.

In addition, UU will contribute to WP4 “Aquatic ecosystem modelling”, focusing on numerical modelling of historic and near-term lake ecosystem states for Lake Mälaren.