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This paper evaluates the effectiveness of restoring open‐water area in a wetland via a geographical framework that goes from a general perspective to a detailed view. The methodology relies on diachronic cartography, remote sensing through Landsat satellite imagery validated by in situ hydrological data (2000–2022), and details from field work. We analyzed the water surface area of Comana freshwater marsh in Southern Romania. The water surface area recorded a statistical change point synchronous to the restoration actions. The water surface area increased due to restoration actions in 2011 and then became relatively stable. Post‐restoration, the mean monthly discharge of Neajlov River correlates statistically with the water surface area. The water has low depths in the marsh; yet, the area covered by vegetation appears to be stable. The persistence of the effects for over a decade recommends Comana Marsh as a demonstrative case study in South‐Eastern Europe and for further monitoring activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the actors involved in river restoration in Romania by untangling the complex networks that they are part of. Actors were considered nodes in a social network, tied by a common action or project. The nodes were characterized through the centrality metrics of a network. The network of actors in river restoration in Romania has a low density and high average path length and diameter for such a spare network, which suggests that knowledge transfer and collaboration are difficult. In the context of a highly centralized water governance system in Romania, the National Authority for Water exerts power and influence in river restoration as well. It has numerous partners, both disconnected and well connected in the network, therefore, it tends to be connected to everybody, as well as gets and diffuses knowledge. Yet, other actors are willing to get involved in river restoration in Romania. NGOs and research organizations have a central position in the network and play various roles (e.g., unconcerned influencers, gate-keepers, pulse-takers). As a recommendation for governing river restoration in Romania, we urge the creation of a national programme focused on river restoration, where the call for projects would be coordinated by the National Authority for Water and open to its territorial subordinates in agreement with stakeholders from various sectors and domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to reinstate a river's good ecological status after being severely altered by human pressures, river restoration became a major topic in the last decade in the EU and the number of projects implemented especially on hydromorphology increased. However, it is still uncertain whether these restoration measures have positive cumulative effects, i.e. hydromorphological effectiveness, when compared to reference conditions and expectations of stakeholders, because of inconsistent methodologies. Therefore, the goal of our project is to develop a methodology to evaluate the hydromorphological effectiveness of river restoration, based on standardised indicators, at various spatial scales, appropriate for implemented measures and for restored river types, weighting the expectations of actors and adapted to case studies in Romania. This methodological protocol could become also a useful tool to create a strategy and make decisions in the practice of river restoration. Moreover, this kind of analysis could contribute to clarifying the issue of standards in environmental projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]