PLURALAKES is grounded in three case study regions across Northern Europe: the Lake District in the United Kingdom, the Koitajoki–Koitere river basin in Finland, and the Frisian Boezem in the Netherlands. While diverse in geography, governance, and land use, these areas all face complex challenges related to lake ecosystem health and management. From water quality deterioration due to agriculture and tourism in the Lake District, to peatland-related nutrient runoff and brownification in Koitajoki–Koitere, to eutrophication and contested land use in the intensively managed Frisian lake system, these cases reflect the real-world tensions between environmental goals, cultural values, and economic activities.

PLURALAKES works within existing stakeholder networks and governance frameworks in each case study to co-develop solutions adapted to local needs. In the UK, the project supports the Lake District National Park Partnership’s efforts to integrate ecosystem data and stakeholder visions into their upcoming 2026–2031 management plan. In Finland, PLURALAKES engages with the Koitajoki-Koitere collaboration group to link landscape-scale conservation and climate adaptation with community values. In the Netherlands, the project informs Wetterskip Fryslân’s search for long-term water quality strategies that move beyond short-term fixes, addressing tensions between agricultural practices and ecological targets. By applying participatory methods, ecological modeling, and scenario-building tools, PLURALAKES helps each region envision and plan for lake futures that are both desirable and achievable.