The project addresses problems in the realisation of forested water-retention areas by way of natural and social-scientific studies in the river Rhine catchment area. Its objective is to develop and test strategies for the sustainable management and formulate recommendations for decision-makers. Involving ten partners from Germany, France and the Netherlands, and led by the University of Freiburg, FOWARA seeks to identify innovative approaches to the prevention of flood damage, in light of the significant increases in spring and winter rainfall in northern Europe and of heightened waterflow in the largest German rivers. The project adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to maintain the function, stability, biodiversity and growth potential of temporarily flooded forests, but also their value for forest owners and society. The results should contribute significantly to the transnational knowledge base in this area by, inter alia, offering estimates of the economic and ecological impacts of creating water retention areas at forested sites. It also aims at awareness-raising among interest groups and political actors across the NWE for a more effective implementation of future projects.