BREATHE is an international research initiative that aims to redefine how we observe and understand river ecosystems. By combining high‑frequency dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide measurements with grab samples analysis, and whole‑river metabolism modelling, the project advances the knowledge of metabolism drivers and functioning across environmental and anthropogenic gradients.
At EPFL, we focus on rivers exposed to multiple stressors: from climate‑driven hydrological shifts typical of glacier-fed catchments, to anthropic and land‑use pressures in the downstream environments. Switzerland’s case studies provide a critical testbed for evaluating how river functioning responds to these combined impacts along the river continuum, and how sensor‑based monitoring can support more resilient water management strategies. Our team contributes expertise in biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, hydrology, and environmental modelling, helping to design workflows that translate raw sensor data into meaningful ecological indicators and ecosystem‑service assessments.
International partners: Beyond Switzerland, BREATHE brings together international research groups, spanning different climates, biomes, and environmental settings. Each group focuses on distinct stressors:
- Sweden – peatland restoration
- Norway – hydropower regulation
- England – urban anoxia
- Spain – water scarcity
- Brazil – forest restoration
This coordinated network spans boreal, temperate, Mediterranean, alpine, and neotropical systems, enabling the consortium to test monitoring strategies across a wide range of climatic and environmental contexts.
The project lays the groundwork for a global River Observation System (RIOS) capable of tracking ecosystem health and key services such as water purification, carbon processing, and habitat quality. By combining technological innovation with ecological insight, BREATHE aims to accelerate the transition toward data‑driven, scalable, and large-scale river monitoring.
EPFL project team: Giulia Grandi (Postdoctoral researcher) and Guillaume Setti (Master student)
Fieldwork and technical support: Matteo Tolosano and Nicola Deluigi
Principal Investigator: Prof. Tom I. Battin
