Dams in South Europe

Under current climate warming, dams and reservoirs are main options to ensure water supply in dry regions. However, the presence of these infrastructures encompasses impacts on ecosystem due to the alteration of connectivity and river habitat. We expect that, regarding public acceptance, the benefits of dams compensate their negative impacts in regions with droughts while not having the same perception in zones where water supply is not a problem. Here we have employed a multidisciplinary approach to study dam acceptance and measure ecosystem health in the dammed Guadalhorce and Nalon rivers (Mediterranean dry south and Atlantic humid north of Spain, respectively): environmental DNA for phytoplankton inventory and surveys to stakeholders and ordinary citizens.