Eco Hydrology
Laboratory
About
The CNR Eco-Hydrology Lab, based at the Institute for Research on Hydrogeological Protection in Perugia, focuses on studying eco-hydrological processes under global change. Its research addresses the interactions between water and carbon cycles, particularly in Mediterranean agricultural and forest ecosystems, and analyzes extreme hydrological events like floods and droughts.
The lab investigates how eco-hydrological systems respond to human and climate-driven disturbances, with a focus on resilience and adaptation. Key areas of study include runoff formation and its role in large-scale floods, agricultural and hydrological droughts at scales from river basins to global regions, and the impacts of human activities—such as water use and land change—on the water cycle.
To support its research, the lab utilizes advanced models and simulation platforms for the water and carbon cycles, high-resolution satellite and ground data, and artificial intelligence techniques for predictive monitoring. Environmental monitoring involves state-of-the-art technologies, including isotopic tracers, biosensors, drone imaging, and specialized sensors to track eco-hydrological variables.
The lab’s resources include high-performance computing (HPC), an Open-Air Critical Zone Observatory in the Monti Sibillini National Park (SINCZONE), diverse eco-hydrological models and a Digital Twin platform using NASA’s Land Information System. Together, these tools help the CNR Eco-Hydrology Lab generate insights that support climate resilience and sustainable water management.
