Department of UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology

Head: dr hab. Tomasz Jurczak, University of Lodz Professor

The UNESCO Chair of Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology originates from the Department of Applied Ecology, which has operated within the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Protection since 1990. The unit received UNESCO Chair status in 2019 and, since January 1, 2020, has functioned under its current name. Research conducted at the Chair focuses on an integrated strategy for the sustainable management of river catchments, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

Research Areas:

• Ecohydrology
• Urban ecohydrology
• Ecological biotechnologies (Sequential Sedimentation-Biofiltration Systems – SSBS, High-Performance Ecotone Zones – HPEZ, denitrification barriers)
• Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and climate change adaptation
• Water quality assessment using physicochemical, biological, and molecular parameters (environmental monitoring)
• Early warning systems and control of succession processes during subsequent stages of eutrophication
• Reduction of eutrophication symptoms (e.g., toxic cyanobacterial blooms) in reservoirs and lakes (hydrobiomanipulation)
• Bioremediation in the restoration of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (phytotechnologies)
• Aquaculture for increasing fish productivity, preserving biodiversity, and improving inland water quality
• Ecotoxicology
• Catchment-scale studies of water and wastewater quality
• Mathematical modeling and GIS applications (identification and elimination of threats at the river basin scale, systemic water management solutions, ecosystem services for society)
• Diversity and interactions among microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems
• Xenobiotics (pharmaceuticals, microplastics, heavy metals)
• Applications of bioremediation for the restoration of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Scientific Projects (since 2010):

• 2025–2029 LIFE RIVEREASE – Application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to reduce the impact of agriculture on water resources in the face of climate change. Project LIFE24-CCA-PL-LIFE-RIVEREASE/101213967. University of Lodz project coordinator: dr hab. Tomasz Jurczak, Scientific manager at the University of Lodz: dr Agnieszka Bednarek https://riverease.eu 
• 2024–2026 Springiness – “Management of rainwater runoff in urban areas for tackling extreme hydroclimatic events”. Project implemented under the Water4All programme (JTC Call 2022), funded by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) with a grant of EUR 199,660 (PLN 940,957.65).
• 2022–2029 LIFECOOLCITY – “Use of remote sensing for the management of blue-green urban infrastructure in climate change adaptation processes” Project LIFE21-CCA-PL-LIFECOOLCITY/101074553. University of Lodz project coordinator: dr hab. Tomasz Jurczak, Scientific manager at the University of Lodz: dr hab. Iwona Wagner. https://mggpaero.com/lifecoolcity.html 
• 2023–2026 Intercontinental comparison of bacterial and archaeal communities associated with the cosmopolitan cyanobacterium Microcystis – uncovering their ecological roles in anthropogenic pressure and climate change National Science Centre project (DEC-2022/47/B/NZ0/00689) under the OPUS-47 call. Project coordinator: prof. dr hab. Joanna Mankiewicz-Boczek.
• 2020–2026 MAEH – ERASMUS MUNDUS JMD – Master in Applied Ecohydrology (agreement 619807) Consortium: University of Algarve, Portugal (MAEH Coordinator); University of Lodz, Poland; University of Lübeck, Germany; University of Antwerp, Belgium. Coordinator at the University of Lodz: dr Małgorzata Łapińska. 
• 2015–2022 LIFERADOMKLIMA-PL – “Adaptation to climate change through sustainable management of water of the urban area in Radom City” Project LIFE14 CCA/PL/000101. University of Lodz project coordinator: prof. dr hab. Maciej Zalewski. Project manager at the University of Lodz: dr hab. Tomasz Jurczak www.life.radom.pl/pl/ 
• 2010–2015 EH-REK – Ecohydrological restoration of the Arturówek recreational reservoirs (Łódź) as a model approach to urban reservoir restoration. Project LIFE08 ENV/PL/000517. Project coordinator: prof. dr hab. Maciej Zalewski. Project manager: dr Tomasz Jurczak. www.arturowek.pl 
• 2010–2015 ERASMUS MUNDUS Master of Science in Ecohydrology (ECOHYD) (159659-1-2009-1-PT-ERA MUNDUS-EMMC), reference no. 2010-2505/001-001 EMMC, University of Lodz registration no. 519/040055. Coordinator at the University of Lodz: prof. dr hab. Maciej Zalewski. www.ecohyd.org 
• 2010–2013 Innovative measures and effective methods for improving the safety and durability of buildings and transport infrastructure within the sustainable development strategy. Operational Programme Innovative Economy, Priority I – Research and Development of Modern Technologies, Sub-measure 1.1.2. (512/040003), coordinated by Lodz University of Technology. University of Lodz project coordinator: prof. dr hab. M. Zalewski.