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He J, Li Y, Su J, Liao B. Urban water health: A conceptual framework and assessment system. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1081555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The quantitative evaluation of urban water health (UWH) is a crucial decision-making process in water management. Healthy water not only encompasses excellent water quality and a diverse ecology but also has other characteristics, such as the amount of water resources, supply-use-drainage problems, flooding, water cycle, and so on. This study proposes a theoretical framework and an indicator system for UWH that integrates ecosystem health and water cycle health. Subsequently, considering the time scale and regional characteristics, an objective evaluation model that combined the real coding accelerated genetic algorithm (RAGA) method and the projection pursuit (PP) method was applied to calculate indicator weights and thresholds for the urban water health index (UWHI). UWHI standard thresholds were calculated as (0.04, 0.87], (0.87, 1.80], (1.80, 2.73], (2.73, 3.50], and (3.50, 4.01] corresponding to the categories of Sick, Unhealthy, Subhealthy, Healthy, and Excellent, respectively. Using Chongqing as a case study, the results showed that the UWHI increased from 1.796 to 2.668 in 2011–2020, and the health level improved from Unhealthy to Subhealthy, approaching Healthy. For each subsystem, the results indicated that the health status of the water cycle was superior to that of the water ecosystem. Finally, a detailed analysis of the changes in the indicators identified important factors affecting water health. The results of this study revealed that the main weaknesses in Chongqing were severe soil erosion, large domestic water use, high water consumption rates, and unsatisfactory water functional areas and indicated key priorities on the path to future water management.
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Foulds C, Royston S, Berker T, Nakopoulou E, Bharucha ZP, Robison R, Abram S, Ančić B, Arapostathis S, Badescu G, Bull R, Cohen J, Dunlop T, Dunphy N, Dupont C, Fischer C, Gram-Hanssen K, Grandclément C, Heiskanen E, Labanca N, Jeliazkova M, Jörgens H, Keller M, Kern F, Lombardi P, Mourik R, Ornetzeder M, Pearson PJG, Rohracher H, Sahakian M, Sari R, Standal K, Živčič L. An agenda for future Social Sciences and Humanities research on energy efficiency: 100 priority research questions. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 9:223. [PMID: 35791377 PMCID: PMC9245879 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01243-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Decades of techno-economic energy policymaking and research have meant evidence from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)-including critical reflections on what changing a society's relation to energy (efficiency) even means-have been underutilised. In particular, (i) the SSH have too often been sidelined and/or narrowly pigeonholed by policymakers, funders, and other decision-makers when driving research agendas, and (ii) the setting of SSH-focused research agendas has not historically embedded inclusive and deliberative processes. The aim of this paper is to address these gaps through the production of a research agenda outlining future SSH research priorities for energy efficiency. A Horizon Scanning exercise was run, which sought to identify 100 priority SSH questions for energy efficiency research. This exercise included 152 researchers with prior SSH expertise on energy efficiency, who together spanned 62 (sub-)disciplines of SSH, 23 countries, and a full range of career stages. The resultant questions were inductively clustered into seven themes as follows: (1) Citizenship, engagement and knowledge exchange in relation to energy efficiency; (2) Energy efficiency in relation to equity, justice, poverty and vulnerability; (3) Energy efficiency in relation to everyday life and practices of energy consumption and production; (4) Framing, defining and measuring energy efficiency; (5) Governance, policy and political issues around energy efficiency; (6) Roles of economic systems, supply chains and financial mechanisms in improving energy efficiency; and (7) The interactions, unintended consequences and rebound effects of energy efficiency interventions. Given the consistent centrality of energy efficiency in policy programmes, this paper highlights that well-developed SSH approaches are ready to be mobilised to contribute to the development, and/or to understand the implications, of energy efficiency measures and governance solutions. Implicitly, it also emphasises the heterogeneity of SSH policy evidence that can be produced. The agenda will be of use for both (1) those new to the energy-SSH field (including policyworkers), for learnings on the capabilities and capacities of energy-SSH, and (2) established energy-SSH researchers, for insights on the collectively held futures of energy-SSH research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Foulds
- Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Royston
- Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas Berker
- Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture, Centre for Technology and Society, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Efi Nakopoulou
- Department of History and Philosophy of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Rosie Robison
- Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simone Abram
- Department of Anthropology, and Durham Energy Institute, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Branko Ančić
- Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stathis Arapostathis
- Department of History and Philosophy of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gabriel Badescu
- Department of Political Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Richard Bull
- School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jed Cohen
- Salt River Project Integrated System Planning & Support, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Tessa Dunlop
- Unit H1 Knowledge for Policy: Concepts and Methods, European Commission, Directorate-General Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - Niall Dunphy
- School of Engineering and Architecture, and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Claire Dupont
- Department of Public Governance and Management, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Corinna Fischer
- Sustainable Products and Material Flows Division, Oeko-Institut e.V., Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kirsten Gram-Hanssen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Catherine Grandclément
- Research Group on Energy, Technology and Society, Électricité de France (EDF), Paris, France
| | - Eva Heiskanen
- Centre for Consumer Society Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Maria Jeliazkova
- Department of Public Policies and Social Changes, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Helge Jörgens
- Department of Political Science and Public Policy, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Margit Keller
- Institute of Social Studies, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Florian Kern
- Ecological Economics and Environmental Policy, Institute for Ecological Economy Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrizia Lombardi
- Urban & Regional Inter-university Department, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Michael Ornetzeder
- Institute of Technology Assessment, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter J. G. Pearson
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
- School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Harald Rohracher
- Department of Thematic Studies—Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marlyne Sahakian
- Department of Sociology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ramazan Sari
- Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Karina Standal
- CICERO—Center for International Climate Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lidija Živčič
- Focus Association for Sustainable Development, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Abstract
Groundwater is an important water resource that accounts for 30% of the world’s freshwater. 97% of this extracted groundwater is for drinking and human use. Due to anthropogenic activities, this resource is affected and, consequently, its life cycle is modified, changing its natural state. This paper aims to analyse the scientific production that deals with the study of groundwater’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), using bibliometric methods. Thus, it contributes to the evolution of knowledge of this resource in terms of its use (environmental, economic and social). The methodological process includes: (i) selection and analysis of search topics in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases; (ii) application of Bibliometrix and Visualisation of Similarity Viewer (VOSviewer) software to the data collected; (iii) scientific structure of the relation of the topics groundwater and life cycle, considering programme lines and relations in their sub-themes; (iv) literature review of Author keywords. A total of 780 papers were selected, 306 being from Scopus, 158 from WoS and 316 published in both databases. The time evolution of the analysed data (publications) indicates that groundwater LCA studies have seen exponential growth (between 1983 and 2021). In addition, it has three development periods: introduction (years between 1983 and 2001), growth (between 2002 and 2011) and maturation (between 2012 and 2021). At the country level (origin of contributions authors), the USA dominates the total scientific production with 24.7%, followed by Denmark with 12.8% and 10.3% for China. Among the main topics of study associated with LCA are those focused on: the proposal of remediation methods, the application and development of technologies and the use of water resources by the urban community. This study allows establishing new trends in agricultural development issues about irrigation efficiency, wastewater reuse, mining and treatment, climate change in a circular economy scheme related to sustainability and life cycle assessment.
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Taylor NG, Grillas P, Al Hreisha H, Balkız Ö, Borie M, Boutron O, Catita A, Champagnon J, Cherif S, Çiçek K, Costa LT, Dakki M, Fois M, Galewski T, Galli A, Georgiadis NM, Green AJ, Hermoso V, Kapedani R, Lange MA, Mateljak Z, Osta M, Papastergiadou E, Papazoglou C, Sabater S, Samraoui B, Samraoui F, Bachir AS, Tankovic E, Thévenet M, Troya A, Sutherland WJ. The future for Mediterranean wetlands: 50 key issues and 50 important conservation research questions. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 2021; 21:33. [PMID: 33776560 PMCID: PMC7982080 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-020-01743-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future challenges and opportunities for Mediterranean wetlands, and to inform proactive research and management, we identified (a) 50 key issues that might affect Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050, and (b) 50 important research questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050. We gathered ideas through an online survey and review of recent literature. A diverse assessment panel prioritised ideas through an iterative, anonymised, Delphi-like process of scoring, voting and discussion. The prioritised issues included some that are already well known but likely to have a large impact on Mediterranean wetlands in the next 30 years (e.g. the accumulation of dams and reservoirs, plastic pollution and weak governance), and some that are currently overlooked in the context of Mediterranean wetlands (e.g. increasing desalination capacity and development of antimicrobial resistance). Questions largely focused on how best to carry out conservation interventions, or understanding the impacts of threats to inform conservation decision-making. This analysis will support research, policy and practice related to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean, and provides a model for similar analyses elsewhere in the world. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-020-01743-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel G. Taylor
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
| | - Patrick Grillas
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
| | | | - Özge Balkız
- Doğa Koruma Merkezi (Nature Conservation Centre), Çiğdem Mah. 1594. Sok. No:3 06530, Çankaya, Ankara Turkey
| | - Maud Borie
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
- Department of Geography, King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Olivier Boutron
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
| | - Ana Catita
- Development and Innovation Network (RCDI), Centro Empresarial de Grândola, Fracção E - Incubadora de Empresas- Estrada da Aldeia do Futuro, 7570-272 Grândola, Portugal
- Associação Portuguesa de Geógrafos, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Av. Professor Aníbal Bettencourt, n.° 9, 1600-189 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associação Portuguesa para o Desenvolvimento Regional, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Capitão João D’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Jocelyn Champagnon
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
| | - Semia Cherif
- Laboratoire de Recherche des Matériaux et de l’Environnement pour le Développement Durable (LR18ES10), ISSBAT, Université de Tunis El Manar, 9 Avenue Zouheir Essefi, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kerim Çiçek
- Section of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Luís T. Costa
- MAVA Foundation, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Dakki
- Département de Zoologie et Écologie Animale, Institut Scientifique, Université Mohammed V de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Centre d’Etude des Migrations d’Oiseaux (CEMO), Institut Scientifique, Université Mohammed V de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mauro Fois
- Centro Conservazione Biodiversità, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Thomas Galewski
- Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200 Arles, France
| | - Alessandro Galli
- Global Footprint Network, Avenue Louis-Casaï, 18, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andy J. Green
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Virgilio Hermoso
- Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC), Solsona, Spain
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland Australia
| | - Rezart Kapedani
- Regional Environmental Center Albania, Rr. Ismail Qemali, No. 27, Kati/Floor 3, 1000 Tirana, Albania
| | - Manfred A. Lange
- Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Future Earth MENA Regional Center at the Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Maher Osta
- Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, Awad Bldg, 6th Floor, Abdel Aziz Street, P.O. Box 11-5665, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Eva Papastergiadou
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, University Campus Rio, Patras, 26500 Greece
| | | | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, 17003 Spain
| | - Boudjéma Samraoui
- Department of Biology, University Badji Mokhtar Annaba, Annaba, Algeria
- Laboratoire de Conservation des Zones Humides, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, Guelma, Algeria
| | - Farrah Samraoui
- Laboratoire de Conservation des Zones Humides, Université 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, Guelma, Algeria
- Department of Ecology, University 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, Guelma, Algeria
| | - Abdelkrim Si Bachir
- Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, University of Batna 2, Batna, Algeria
| | - Eva Tankovic
- Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative (PIM), Lycée des Calanques, 89 Traverse Parangon, 13008 Marseille, France
| | - Mathieu Thévenet
- Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative (PIM), Lycée des Calanques, 89 Traverse Parangon, 13008 Marseille, France
| | - Antonio Troya
- IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, C/ Marie Curie 22, Edif. Habitec, Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía, 29590 Campanillas, Málaga, Spain
| | - William J. Sutherland
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
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Abstract
This paper reports on a systematic review of the literature around governance and water infrastructure in England to analyse data on the application, or absence, of justice themes. It finds that, unlike in other sectors, justice thinking is far from embedded in the water sector here and whilst there are signs of a discussion there is a lack of sophistication and coherence around the debate. More positively, the research suggests that the concept of justice can be used as a tool or framework to help air and address these complex issues and in doing so is an advance on the concept of sustainability. By exploring the issues in this way, the study reveals a wealth of opportunities to use justice-thinking to improve infrastructure decision making. It is suggested a justice approach is the next step as our thinking matures beyond sustainability, improving the decisions we make for people and planet.
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Zhang Z, Gao J, Cai Y. The direct and indirect effects of land use and water quality on phytoplankton communities in an agriculture-dominated basin. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:760. [PMID: 33184779 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08728-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the factors that control biodiversity in rivers is challenging due to the variety of potential sources, linkages, and processes. This research assesses the effects of land use on phytoplankton communities across water quality gradients. By employing abiotic and biotic datasets of 149 catchments in Lake Chaohu basin, China, and a structural equation model (SEM), the direct and indirect effects of land use and water quality on phytoplankton dynamic were analyzed. Both land use and water quality had statistically significant direct effects on phytoplankton community attribute and diversity, although these effects differed among these indices. For instance, farmland was found to positively affect the abundance and diversity indices, while total nitrogen (TN) had significant positive effects on species richness and abundance. Importantly, the average indirect effects strengthened the effects of land use (e.g., built-up land and woodland) up to 82.4% mainly through nutrients, while the average indirect effects weakened the effects of land use (e.g., farmland) by as much as 49.9% mainly due to nutrients, thus indicating the prevailing role of the effects of land use on phytoplankton based on nutrient concentrations. The results suggest that nutrients can regulate the effect of land use on phytoplankton community attribute and diversity indices. This study highlights the advantages of using an SEM because the potential linkages for phytoplankton diversities are more likely to be identified with this method than with a classical linear regression model. Therefore, SEM has wide application prospects in the field of the conservation of biodiversity in freshwater rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Geographic Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Junfeng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Geographic Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yongjiu Cai
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Geographic Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 73 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
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Dey CJ, Rego AI, Midwood JD, Koops MA. A review and meta-analysis of collaborative research prioritization studies in ecology, biodiversity conservation and environmental science. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200012. [PMID: 32183628 PMCID: PMC7126043 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Collaborative research prioritization (CRP) studies have become increasingly popular during the last decade. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, and using a democratic process to create a list of research priorities, these methods purport to identify research topics that will better meet the needs of science users. Here, we review 41 CRP studies in the fields of ecology, biodiversity conservation and environmental science that collectively identify 2031 research priorities. We demonstrate that climate change, ecosystem services and protected areas are common terms found in the research priorities of many CRP studies, and that identified research priorities have become less unique over time. In addition, we show that there is a considerable variation in the size and composition of the groups involved in CRP studies, and that at least one aspect of the identified research priorities (lexical diversity) is related to the size of the CRP group. Although some CRP studies have been highly cited, the evidence that CRP studies have directly motivated research is weak, perhaps because most CRP studies have not directly involved organizations that fund science. We suggest that the most important impact of CRP studies may lie in their ability to connect individuals across sectors and help to build diverse communities of practice around important issues at the science-policy interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J. Dey
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, CanadaL7S 1A1
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How to Enhance the Role of Science in European Union Policy Making and Implementation: The Case of Agricultural Impacts on Drinking Water Quality. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11030492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Throughout the European Union (EU), high concentrations of nitrates and pesticides are among the major polluting components of drinking water and have potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health. Many research projects co-funded by the European Commission have been carried out, but the results often do not influence policy making and implementation to the extent that is duly justified. This paper assesses several issues and barriers that weaken the role of science in EU policy making and EU policy implementation in the case of agricultural impacts on drinking water quality. It then proposes improvements and solutions to strengthen the role of science in this process. The analysis is conceptual but supported empirically by a desk study, a workshop, and complementary individual interviews, mostly with representatives of organizations working at the EU level. The results indicate that perceived barriers are mostly observed on the national or regional level and are connected with a lack of political will, scarce instruction on the legislation implementation process, and a lack of funding opportunities for science to be included in policy making and further EU policy implementation. In response to that, we suggest translating scientific knowledge on technological, practical or environmental changes and using dissemination techniques for specific audiences and in local languages. Further, the relationship between data, information and decision making needs to change by implementing monitoring in real-time, which will allow for the quick adaptation of strategies. In addition, we suggest project clustering (science, policy, stakeholders, and citizens) to make science and research more connected to current policy challenges and stakeholder needs along with citizen involvement with an aim of establishing sustainable long-term relationships and communication flows.
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Flávio HM, Ferreira P, Formigo N, Svendsen JC. Reconciling agriculture and stream restoration in Europe: A review relating to the EU Water Framework Directive. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 596-597:378-395. [PMID: 28448914 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture is widespread across the EU and has caused considerable impacts on freshwater ecosystems. To revert the degradation caused to streams and rivers, research and restoration efforts have been developed to recover ecosystem functions and services, with the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) playing a significant role in strengthening the progress. Analysing recent peer-reviewed European literature (2009-2016), this review explores 1) the conflicts and difficulties faced when restoring agriculturally impacted streams, 2) the aspects relevant to effectively reconcile agricultural land uses and healthy riverine ecosystems and 3) the effects and potential shortcomings of the first WFD management cycle. Our analysis reveals significant progress in restoration efforts, but it also demonstrates an urgent need for a higher number and detail of restoration projects reported in the peer-reviewed literature. The first WFD cycle ended in 2015 without reaching the goal of good ecological status in many European water-bodies. Addressing limitations reported in recent papers, including difficulties in stakeholder integration and importance of small headwater streams, is crucial. Analysing recent developments on stakeholder engagement through structured participatory processes will likely reduce perception discrepancies and increase stakeholder interest during the next WFD planning cycle. Despite an overall dominance of nutrient-related research, studies are spreading across many important topics (e.g. stakeholder management, land use conflicts, climate change effects), which may play an important role in guiding future policy. Our recommendations are important for the second WFD cycle because they 1) help secure the development and dissemination of science-based restoration strategies and 2) provide guidance for future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Flávio
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, R. do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal.
| | - P Ferreira
- Laboratory of Molecular EcoPhysiology, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto (CIIMAR), Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - N Formigo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, R. do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - J C Svendsen
- Section for Ecosystem based Marine Management, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, Charlottenlund 2920, Denmark
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Brooks BW, Lazorchak JM, Howard MDA, Johnson MVV, Morton SL, Perkins DAK, Reavie ED, Scott GI, Smith SA, Steevens JA. Are harmful algal blooms becoming the greatest inland water quality threat to public health and aquatic ecosystems? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2016; 35:6-13. [PMID: 26771345 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In this Focus article, the authors ask a seemingly simple question: Are harmful algal blooms (HABs) becoming the greatest inland water quality threat to public health and aquatic ecosystems? When HAB events require restrictions on fisheries, recreation, and drinking water uses of inland water bodies significant economic consequences result. Unfortunately, the magnitude, frequency, and duration of HABs in inland waters are poorly understood across spatiotemporal scales and differentially engaged among states, tribes, and territories. Harmful algal bloom impacts are not as predictable as those from conventional chemical contaminants, for which water quality assessment and management programs were primarily developed, because interactions among multiple natural and anthropogenic factors determine the likelihood and severity to which a HAB will occur in a specific water body. These forcing factors can also affect toxin production. Beyond site-specific water quality degradation caused directly by HABs, the presence of HAB toxins can negatively influence routine surface water quality monitoring, assessment, and management practices. Harmful algal blooms present significant challenges for achieving water quality protection and restoration goals when these toxins confound interpretation of monitoring results and environmental quality standards implementation efforts for other chemicals and stressors. Whether HABs presently represent the greatest threat to inland water quality is debatable, though in inland waters of developed countries they typically cause more severe acute impacts to environmental quality than conventional chemical contamination events. The authors identify several timely research needs. Environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, and risk-assessment expertise must interface with ecologists, engineers, and public health practitioners to engage the complexities of HAB assessment and management, to address the forcing factors for HAB formation, and to reduce the threats posed to inland surface water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan W Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - James M Lazorchak
- Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Meredith D A Howard
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Mari-Vaughn V Johnson
- Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture, Temple, Texas, USA
| | - Steve L Morton
- National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Dawn A K Perkins
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Euan D Reavie
- Natural Resources Research Institute, Center for Water and the Environment, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Geoffrey I Scott
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Jeffery A Steevens
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
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11
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Cooke SJ, Chapman JM, Vermaire JC. On the apparent failure of silt fences to protect freshwater ecosystems from sedimentation: A call for improvements in science, technology, training and compliance monitoring. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 164:67-73. [PMID: 26342269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Excessive sedimentation derived from anthropogenic activities is a main factor in habitat and biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems. To prevent offsite movement of soil particles, many environmental regulatory agencies mandate the use of perimeter silt fences. However, research regarding the efficiency of these devices in applied settings is lacking, and fences are often ineffective due to poor installation and maintenance. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of research regarding silt fences, address the current culture surrounding silt fence installation and maintenance, and provide several recommendations for improving the knowledge base related to silt fence effectiveness. It is clear that there is a need for integrated long-term (i.e., extending from prior to fence installation to well after fence removal) multi-disciplinary research with appropriate controls that evaluates the effectiveness of silt control fences. Through laboratory experiments, in silico modelling and field studies there are many factors that can be experimentally manipulated such as soil types (and sediment feed rate), precipitation regimes (and flow rate), season, slope, level of site disturbance, fence installation method, type of fence material, depth of toe, type and spacing of support structures, time since installation, level of inspection and maintenance, among others, that all require systematic evaluation. Doing so will inform the practice, as well as identify specific technical research needs, related to silt fence design and use. Moreover, what constitutes "proper" installation and maintenance is unclear, especially given regional- and site-level variation in precipitation, slope, and soil characteristics. Educating and empowering construction crews to be proactive in maintenance of silt fencing is needed given an apparent lack of compliance monitoring by regulatory agencies and the realities that the damage is almost instantaneous when silt fences fail. Our goal is not to dismiss silt fences as a potentially useful tool. Instead, we question the way they are currently being used and call for better science to determine what factors (in terms of fence design, installation and site-characteristics) influence effectiveness as well as better training for those that install, maintain and inspect such devices. We also encourage efforts to "look beyond the fence" to consider how silt fences can be combined with other sediment control strategies as part of an integrated sediment control program.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Cooke
- Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6; Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6.
| | - J M Chapman
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - J C Vermaire
- Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6; Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6
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12
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Zheng T, Wang J, Wang Q, Nie C, Smale N, Shi Z, Wang X. A bibliometric analysis of industrial wastewater research: current trends and future prospects. Scientometrics 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11192-015-1736-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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13
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Rudd MA, Ankley GT, Boxall ABA, Brooks BW. International scientists' priorities for research on pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2014; 10:576-87. [PMID: 24954797 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are widely discharged into the environment via diverse pathways. The effects of PPCPs in the environment have potentially important human and ecosystem health implications, so credible, salient, and legitimate scientific evidence is needed to inform regulatory and policy responses that address potential risks. A recent "big questions" exercise with participants largely from North America identified 22 important research questions around the risks of PPCP in the environment that would help address the most pressing knowledge gaps over the next decade. To expand that analysis, we developed a survey that was completed by 535 environmental scientists from 57 countries, of whom 49% identified environmental or analytical chemistry as their primary disciplinary background. They ranked the 22 original research questions and submitted 171 additional candidate research questions they felt were also of high priority. Of the original questions, the 3 perceived to be of highest importance related to: 1) the effects of long-term exposure to low concentrations of PPCP mixtures on nontarget organisms, 2) effluent treatment methods that can reduce the effects of PPCPs in the environment while not increasing the toxicity of whole effluents, and 3) the assessment of the environmental risks of metabolites and environmental transformation products of PPCPs. A question regarding the role of cultural perspectives in PPCP risk assessment was ranked as the lowest priority. There were significant differences in research orientation between scientists who completed English and Chinese language versions of the survey. We found that the Chinese respondents were strongly orientated to issues of managing risk profiles, effluent treatment, residue bioavailability, and regional assessment. Among English language respondents, further differences in research orientation were associated with respondents' level of consistency when ranking the survey's 15 comparisons. There was increasing emphasis on the role of various other stressors relative to PPCPs and on risk prioritization as internal decision making consistency increased. Respondents' consistency in their ranking choices was significantly and positively correlated with SETAC membership, authors' number of publications, and longer survey completion times. Our research highlighted international scientists' research priorities and should help inform decisions about the type of hazard and risk-based research needed to best inform decisions regarding PPCPs in the environment. Disciplinary training of a scientist or engineer appears to strongly influence preferences for research priorities to understand PPCPs in the environment. Selection of participants and the depth and breadth of research prioritization efforts thus have potential effects on the outcomes of research prioritization exercises. Further elucidation of how patterns of research priority vary between academic and government scientists and between scientists and other government and stakeholders would be useful in the future and provide information that helps focus scientific effort on socially relevant challenges relating to PPCPs in the environment. It also suggests the potential for future collaborative research between industry, government, and academia on environmental contaminants beyond PPCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray A Rudd
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
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14
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Burgman MA, Regan HM, Maguire LA, Colyvan M, Justus J, Martin TG, Rothley K. Voting systems for environmental decisions. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2014; 28:322-332. [PMID: 24423154 PMCID: PMC4265892 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Voting systems aggregate preferences efficiently and are often used for deciding conservation priorities. Desirable characteristics of voting systems include transitivity, completeness, and Pareto optimality, among others. Voting systems that are common and potentially useful for environmental decision making include simple majority, approval, and preferential voting. Unfortunately, no voting system can guarantee an outcome, while also satisfying a range of very reasonable performance criteria. Furthermore, voting methods may be manipulated by decision makers and strategic voters if they have knowledge of the voting patterns and alliances of others in the voting populations. The difficult properties of voting systems arise in routine decision making when there are multiple criteria and management alternatives. Because each method has flaws, we do not endorse one method. Instead, we urge organizers to be transparent about the properties of proposed voting systems and to offer participants the opportunity to approve the voting system as part of the ground rules for operation of a group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Burgman
- Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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15
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Boithias L, Acuña V, Vergoñós L, Ziv G, Marcé R, Sabater S. Assessment of the water supply:demand ratios in a Mediterranean basin under different global change scenarios and mitigation alternatives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 470-471:567-77. [PMID: 24176705 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Spatial differences in the supply and demand of ecosystem services such as water provisioning often imply that the demand for ecosystem services cannot be fulfilled at the local scale, but it can be fulfilled at larger scales (regional, continental). Differences in the supply:demand (S:D) ratio for a given service result in different values, and these differences might be assessed with monetary or non-monetary metrics. Water scarcity occurs where and when water resources are not enough to meet all the demands, and this affects equally the service of water provisioning and the ecosystem needs. In this study we assess the value of water in a Mediterranean basin under different global change (i.e. both climate and anthropogenic changes) and mitigation scenarios, with a non-monetary metric: the S:D ratio. We computed water balances across the Ebro basin (North-East Spain) with the spatially explicit InVEST model. We highlight the spatial and temporal mismatches existing across a single hydrological basin regarding water provisioning and its consumption, considering or not, the environmental demand (environmental flow). The study shows that water scarcity is commonly a local issue (sub-basin to region), but that all demands are met at the largest considered spatial scale (basin). This was not the case in the worst-case scenario (increasing demands and decreasing supply), as the S:D ratio at the basin scale was near 1, indicating that serious problems of water scarcity might occur in the near future even at the basin scale. The analysis of possible mitigation scenarios reveals that the impact of global change may be counteracted by the decrease of irrigated areas. Furthermore, the comparison between a non-monetary (S:D ratio) and a monetary (water price) valuation metrics reveals that the S:D ratio provides similar values and might be therefore used as a spatially explicit metric to valuate the ecosystem service water provisioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Boithias
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Emili Grahit 101, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Emili Grahit 101, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Vergoñós
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Emili Grahit 101, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Guy Ziv
- The Natural Capital Project, Woods Institute for the Environment, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA
| | - Rafael Marcé
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Emili Grahit 101, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Emili Grahit 101, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
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16
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Ramchunder SJ, Brown LE, Holden J. Rotational vegetation burning effects on peatland stream ecosystems. J Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lee E. Brown
- School of Geography/water@leeds; University of Leeds; Leeds; LS2 9JT; UK
| | - Joseph Holden
- School of Geography/water@leeds; University of Leeds; Leeds; LS2 9JT; UK
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17
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Brooks BW, Ankley GT, Boxall ABA, Rudd MA. Toward sustainable environmental quality: a call to prioritize global research needs. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2013; 9:179-180. [PMID: 23529803 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
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18
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Boyer TH, Overdevest C, Christiansen L, Ishii SKL. Expert stakeholder attitudes and support for alternative water sources in a groundwater depleted region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 437:245-254. [PMID: 22944216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.07.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/22/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The main objectives of this research were to quantify the risks/benefits and impacts of alternative water sources (AWSs) as perceived by expert stakeholders and to evaluate the overall support for multiple AWSs by expert stakeholders. The St. Johns River (SJR) basin, FL, USA was chosen as a case study for AWSs because it is a fresh groundwater depleted region and there are ongoing activities related to water supply planning. Expert stakeholders included federal, state, and local governments, public utilities, consulting engineering and industry, and environmental and social non-governmental organizations. AWSs under consideration in the SJR basin include surface water, desalination, water reclamation, and water conservation. A two-phase research approach was followed that focused on expert stakeholders. First, an elicitation study was used to identify salient beliefs about AWSs. Open-ended questions were asked about the risks/benefits of AWSs in terms of the three pillars of sustainability: ecological, economic, and human health impacts. Second, an online survey was constructed using beliefs identified during the elicitation study. The online survey was used to quantify attitudes toward and overall support for AWSs. The salient beliefs of expert stakeholders were dominated by the ecological pillar of sustainability. The support of expert stakeholders for AWSs, from least favorable to most favorable, was surface water withdrawals<desalination<water reclamation<water conservation, and was shaped by attitudes. The results of this research provide an improved understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that influence decision-makers involved in water supply planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treavor H Boyer
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA.
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Ramchunder SJ, Brown LE, Holden J. Catchment-scale peatland restoration benefits stream ecosystem biodiversity. J Appl Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02075.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Aitken MD. "Clinical" and evidence-based environmental science and engineering. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:368-369. [PMID: 21226538 DOI: 10.1021/es1041018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Aitken
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, USA.
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