1
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Spear MJ, Harris BS, Bookout TA, Ickes BS, Jankowski KJ, Solomon LE, Maxson KA, Whitten Harris AL, Mathis AT, Schaick SJ, Williams JA, DeBoer JA, Lenaerts AW, Hine EC, Chick JH, Lamer JT. Reduction of large vessel traffic improves water quality and alters fish habitat-use throughout a large river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:172705. [PMID: 38670381 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172705] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Rivers are increasingly used as superhighways for the continental-scale transportation of freight goods, but the ecological impact of large vessel traffic on river ecosystems is difficult to study. Recently, the temporary maintenance closure of lock and dam systems on the Illinois Waterway (USA) brought commercial vessel traffic to a halt along the river's length, offering a rare opportunity to study the response of the ecosystem before, during, and after an extended pause of this persistent anthropogenic disturbance. We observed improvements in main- and side-channel water quality and a redistribution of fish habitat-use during a months-long, near-complete reduction of large vessel traffic. Over 3600 water quality and 1300 fish community samples indicate that large vessel traffic reduction coincided with a 33 % reduction in turbidity as well as increased use of sampling strata near vessel navigation corridors by sound-sensitive and rheophilic fishes. Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), the most abundant species in the system, also expanded their use of these 'impact' areas. Though inland waterway transport is an economically- and climate-friendly alternative to trucking and rail for the shipment of freight, our data suggest that intense vessel traffic may have profound physical and biological impacts across a large river. Monitoring and mitigation of ecological impacts of the ongoing expansion of inland waterway transport around the world will be critical to balancing large rivers as both useful navigation corridors and functional ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Spear
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA.
| | - Brandon S Harris
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Taylor A Bookout
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Brian S Ickes
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA
| | - Kathi Jo Jankowski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA
| | - Levi E Solomon
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Kristopher A Maxson
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Andrya L Whitten Harris
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Andrew T Mathis
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Sam J Schaick
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Jesse A Williams
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Jason A DeBoer
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Allison W Lenaerts
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
| | - Eric C Hine
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Great Rivers Field Station, 918 Union St, Alton, IL 62002, USA
| | - John H Chick
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Great Rivers Field Station, 918 Union St, Alton, IL 62002, USA
| | - James T Lamer
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, 704 N Schrader St, Havana, IL 62644, USA
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2
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Sexton AN, Beisel JN, Staentzel C, Wolter C, Tales E, Belliard J, Buijse AD, Martínez Fernández V, Wantzen KM, Jähnig SC, Garcia de Leaniz C, Schmidt-Kloiber A, Haase P, Forio MAE, Archambaud G, Fruget JF, Dohet A, Evtimova V, Csabai Z, Floury M, Goethals P, Várbiró G, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Larrañaga A, Maire A, Schäfer RB, Sinclair JS, Vannevel R, Welti EAR, Jeliazkov A. Inland navigation and land use interact to impact European freshwater biodiversity. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1098-1108. [PMID: 38773326 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Inland navigation in Europe is proposed to increase in the coming years, being promoted as a low-carbon form of transport. However, we currently lack knowledge on how this would impact biodiversity at large scales and interact with existing stressors. Here we addressed this knowledge gap by analysing fish and macroinvertebrate community time series across large European rivers comprising 19,592 observations from 4,049 sampling sites spanning the past 32 years. We found ship traffic to be associated with biodiversity declines, that is, loss of fish and macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness, diversity and trait richness. Ship traffic was also associated with increases in taxonomic evenness, which, in concert with richness decreases, was attributed to losses in rare taxa. Ship traffic was especially harmful for benthic taxa and those preferring slow flows. These effects often depended on local land use and riparian degradation. In fish, negative impacts of shipping were highest in urban and agricultural landscapes. Regarding navigation infrastructure, the negative impact of channelization on macroinvertebrates was evident only when riparian degradation was also high. Our results demonstrate the risk of increasing inland navigation on freshwater biodiversity. Integrative waterway management accounting for riparian habitats and landscape characteristics could help to mitigate these impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron N Sexton
- Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité, Centre de Synthèse et d'Analyse sur la Biodiversité, Montpellier, France.
| | | | - Cybill Staentzel
- Université de Strasbourg, ENGEES, CNRS, LIVE UMR 7362, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christian Wolter
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Evelyne Tales
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, HYCAR, Antony, France
| | | | - Anthonie D Buijse
- Department of Freshwater Ecology and Water Quality, Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands
- Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Vanesa Martínez Fernández
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, E.T.S. Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karl M Wantzen
- UNESCO Chair 'Fleuves et Patrimoine', CNRS UMRS CITERES, Tours University, Tours, France
- CNRS UMR LIVE, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sonja C Jähnig
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- CIM Marine Reseach Center, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, BOKU Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Haase
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Gait Archambaud
- INRAE, Aix Marseille University, RECOVER, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | - Alain Dohet
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Vesela Evtimova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Zoltán Csabai
- Department of Hydrobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Tihany, Hungary
| | - Mathieu Floury
- University of Paris-Saclay, INRAE, HYCAR, Antony, France
| | - Peter Goethals
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gábor Várbiró
- Department of Tisza Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- FEHM Lab, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research IDAEA, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitor Larrañaga
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Anthony Maire
- Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement, EDF R&D, Chatou, France
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg, Essen, Germany
- University Alliance Ruhr, Research Center One Health Ruhr, Essen, Germany
| | - James S Sinclair
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
| | - Rudy Vannevel
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Environment Agency, VMM Flanders, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Ellen A R Welti
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA
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3
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Enríquez-de-Salamanca Á, Díaz-Sierra R. Impact assessment of temporary activities and events. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2023; 19:1320-1332. [PMID: 36606463 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4733] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Temporary activities and events may have significant environmental impacts. However, they are often outside the scope of environmental assessment (EA) processes. Environmental requirements in authorization processes of activities are rare, except for some major events in sensitive areas. This article analyzes, first, the environmental impacts of outdoor temporary activities and events through a literature review; all the analyzed activities may have significant negative impacts. Then, the authorization of temporary activities, and their inclusion in EA systems, in a sample of jurisdictions worldwide was analyzed. Applying EA processes is more an exception than a rule for temporary activities. The article discusses the factors that influence activities' impacts, the conflict between precaution and operation, and the benefits and drawbacks of the application of different EA schemes to temporary activities, concluding with some proposals to improve the consideration of environmental aspects in activities' authorization. Before the authorization of activities and events, their environmental impacts should be analyzed and taken into account. This can be achieved through regulations in management plans submitted to strategic EA, through screening processes, or through environmental impact assessment when significant impacts are expected. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1320-1332. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Enríquez-de-Salamanca
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Draba Ingeniería y Consultoría Medioambiental, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
| | - Rubén Díaz-Sierra
- Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Meyer N, Swiatloch A, Dittrich S, von Oheimb G. Lakeshore vegetation: More resilient towards human recreation than we think? Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10268. [PMID: 37424934 PMCID: PMC10329258 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lakes and their shoreline vegetation are rich in biodiversity and provide multiple functions and habitats for fauna and flora. Humans are attracted by the scenic beauty of these ecosystems and the possibilities for recreational activities they offer. However, the use of lakes for recreational activities can lead to disturbance of vegetation, threatening the integrity and functionality of shoreline areas. Recent literature reviews revealed that impacts of the seemingly harmless activities bathing and lingering on the shore on lakeshore vegetation are poorly understood. In this study, we analysed the effects of shoreline use connected with bathing on the structure, composition and diversity of lakeshore vegetation. Vegetation relevés were recorded in 10 bathing and 10 adjacent control sites in the nature park 'Dahme-Heideseen' (Brandenburg, Germany). In addition visitor counts were performed. The species composition and the cover of herbaceous and shrub vegetation differed between bathing and control sites, but all sites had a high percentage of plant species not typical for the community. The vegetation parameters did not correlate with visitor counts. The results indicate that the present visitor intensity in the nature park does not impact the vegetation severely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Meyer
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental ProtectionTechnische Universität DresdenTharandtGermany
| | - Anna Swiatloch
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental ProtectionTechnische Universität DresdenTharandtGermany
| | - Sebastian Dittrich
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental ProtectionTechnische Universität DresdenTharandtGermany
| | - Goddert von Oheimb
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental ProtectionTechnische Universität DresdenTharandtGermany
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5
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Smigaj M, Hackney CR, Diem PK, Tri VPD, Ngoc NT, Bui DD, Darby SE, Leyland J. Monitoring riverine traffic from space: The untapped potential of remote sensing for measuring human footprint on inland waterways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160363. [PMID: 36423834 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160363] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mass urbanisation and intensive agricultural development across river deltas have driven ecosystem degradation, impacting deltaic socio-ecological systems and reducing their resilience to climate change. Assessments of the drivers of these changes have so far been focused on human activity on the subaerial delta plains. However, the fragile nature of deltaic ecosystems and the need for biodiversity conservation on a global scale require more accurate quantification of the footprint of anthropogenic activity across delta waterways. To address this need, we investigated the potential of deep learning and high spatiotemporal resolution satellite imagery to identify river vessels, using the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) as a focus area. We trained the Faster R-CNN Resnet101 model to detect two classes of objects: (i) vessels and (ii) clusters of vessels, and achieved high detection accuracies for both classes (f-score = 0.84-0.85). The model was subsequently applied to available PlanetScope imagery across 2018-2021; the resultant detections were used to generate monthly, seasonal and annual products mapping the riverine activity, termed here the Human Waterway Footprint (HWF), with which we showed how waterborne activity has increased in the VMD (from approx. 1650 active vessels in 2018 to 2070 in 2021 - a 25 % increase). Whilst HWF values correlated well with population density estimates (R2 = 0.59-0.61, p < 0.001), many riverine activity hotspots were located away from population centres and varied spatially across the investigated period, highlighting that more detailed information is needed to fully evaluate the extent, and type, of human footprint on waterways. High spatiotemporal resolution satellite imagery in combination with deep learning methods offers great promise for such monitoring, which can subsequently enable local and regional assessment of environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities on delta ecosystems around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Smigaj
- Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands; School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
| | - Christopher R Hackney
- School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Phan Kieu Diem
- College of the Environment and Natural Resources, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Can Tho City, Viet Nam
| | - Van Pham Dang Tri
- DRAGON-Mekong Institute, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Can Tho City, Viet Nam
| | - Nguyen Thi Ngoc
- National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Duong Du Bui
- National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Stephen E Darby
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Julian Leyland
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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6
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Mallik A, Chakraborty P, Bhushan S, Nayak BB. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on aquatic environment and fishing community: Boon or bane? MARINE POLICY 2022; 141:105088. [PMID: 35529170 PMCID: PMC9068432 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat for mankind having an extensive socio-economic impact. However, it is considered as an unfortunate event with some positive environmental effects where nature is retrieving itself. The water quality index in different places of the world was reported to be improved during the lockdown, which in turn whipped up the regenerative process of fishes, sea turtles, marine mammals, and aquatic birds. Additionally, ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves and coral reefs were also seen rejuvenating during COVID-19 seal off. But these favourable implications are temporary as there is an unexpected surge in plastic waste generation in the form of PPE kits, face masks, gloves, and other healthcare equipment. Moreover, the outbreak of the pandemic resulted in the complete closure of fishing activities, decline in fish catch, market disruption, and change in consumer preference. To address these multidimensional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, government organizations, NGOs, and other concerned authorities should extend their support to amplify the positive impacts of the lockdown and reduce the subsequent pollution level while encouraging the fisheries sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Mallik
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Puja Chakraborty
- Aquaculture Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Shashi Bhushan
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
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7
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Wen L, Song Q. Simulation study on carbon emission of China's freight system under the target of carbon peaking. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:152600. [PMID: 34953849 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The development of Chinese society needs the support of a perfect and efficient freight transport system. Nonetheless, China's freight system is facing a major challenge in reducing carbon emissions. Hence, firstly, this paper explores three major internal drivers of carbon emissions by analyzing the current situation in China's freight system: proportion of railway freight (PORF), railway electrification level (REL) and electric truck penetration (ETP). Secondly, the system dynamics (SDs) model is used to simulate the carbon emission system of freight transportation in China. Thirdly, this paper sets 13 scenarios of carbon peaking to explore the paths of carbon peaking before 2030 under the three levels of development of ETP oriented freight system. The results indicate that when PORF, REL, and ETP reach 23.96% of total freight volume, 83.7% of rail freight, and 11% of truck freight in 2030 respectively, China's freight system has the most optimistic scenario of carbon peaking. Meanwhile, the time of carbon peaking is 2024, and the peak value is 0.842 billion tons. When PORF, REL, and ETP reach 15.96% of total freight volume, 63.7% of rail freight, and 3% of truck freight in 2030 respectively, China's freight system has the worst scenario of carbon peaking. Meanwhile, the time of carbon peaking is 2029, and the peak value is 1.016 billion tons. Also, it is proved that improving PORF, REL, and ETP is an effective way to achieve green and sustainable development of China's freight industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wen
- Department of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, Hebei, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, Hebei, China.
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8
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Meyer N, Schafft M, Wegner B, Wolter C, Arlinghaus R, Venohr M, von Oheimb G. A day on the shore: Ecological impacts of non-motorised recreational activities in and around inland water bodies. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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9
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Li Y, Gao L, Niu L, Zhang W, Yang N, Du J, Gao Y, Li J. Developing a statistical-weighted index of biotic integrity for large-river ecological evaluations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 277:111382. [PMID: 33069143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency, accuracy and universality of ecological assessment methods comprise an important foundation for comprehensive assessment and restoration of large river ecological health at the watershed scale. New evaluation metrics and methods are urgently needed to be developed to adapt the characteristics of large rivers, including geographical differences in surface runoff, regional ecological complexity, and seasonal changes. In this study, a bacteria-weighted index of biotic integrity was developed to assess the ecological health of large rivers (lrBW-IBI) based on compositional and functional characteristics of sediment bacterial communities from 33 sections of the lower mainstream of Yangtze River. Five key metrics were determined by range, responsiveness, and redundancy tests. Principal component analysis (PCA), entropy method, criteria importance through intercriteria correlation and random forest were applied to calculate weighted coefficients of key metrics. The optimal lrBW-IBI was observed through the sum of PCA weighted-metrics: the relative abundance of Latescibacteria (0.234), Gemmatimonadaceae (0.149), Nitrospira spp. (0.234), Rhizobiales (0.228), and nitrogenase NifH (0.156). According to PCA based lrBW-IBI, 12.12%, 24.24%, 39.39%, and 24.24% of river sections were labeled excellent, good, moderate, and relatively poor, respectively. The ecological status of the lower mainstream of the Yangtze River did not change significantly across seasons but declined gradually from upstream to downstream. This study provides a new assessment tool for the ecological health of large rivers and highlights the importance of microbial ecological index in river ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Lin Gao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Lihua Niu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Nan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Jiming Du
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Yu Gao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
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10
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Chen Y, Qu X, Xiong F, Lu Y, Wang L, Hughes RM. Challenges to saving China's freshwater biodiversity: Fishery exploitation and landscape pressures. AMBIO 2020; 49:926-938. [PMID: 31506845 PMCID: PMC7028877 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01246-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
China has over 1320 freshwater fish species, 877 of which are endemic. In recent decades, over-exploitation and landscape pressures have threatened them and led to a severe aquatic biodiversity crisis. In response, large-scale fishing bans have been promulgated to protect freshwater biodiversity in major Chinese rivers since the early 1980s. Here, we present the historical background and current challenges to the fishing bans. Implementing large-scale fishing bans may help improve China's current freshwater biological resources and biodiversity to some extent. But implementing fishing bans alone is not sufficient to solve the crisis because of shortcomings of the current bans and expanding human pressures in most river basins. Thus, we recommend regulating other anthropogenic pressures, expanding duration and extent of current fishing regulations, establishing a comprehensive monitoring program, and initiating basin-scale ecological rehabilitation. These programs are also needed in other developing countries facing similar biodiversity crises and human pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushun Chen
- Institute of Hydrobiology & State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Shijingshan, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xiao Qu
- Institute of Hydrobiology & State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Shijingshan, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Fangyuan Xiong
- Institute of Hydrobiology & State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Shijingshan, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Ying Lu
- Institute of Hydrobiology & State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072 China
| | - Lizhu Wang
- International Joint Commission & University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute & Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3803 USA
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Manfrin A, Teurlincx S, Lorenz AW, Haase P, Marttila M, Syrjänen JT, Thomas G, Stoll S. Effect of river restoration on life-history strategies in fish communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 663:486-495. [PMID: 30716640 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Assessments of river restoration outcomes are mostly based on taxonomic identities of species, which may not be optimal because a direct relationship to river functions remains obscure and results are hardly comparable across biogeographic borders. The use of ecological species trait information instead of taxonomic units may help to overcome these challenges. Abundance data for fish communities were gathered from 134 river restoration projects conducted in Switzerland, Germany and Finland, monitored for up to 15 years. These data were related to a dataset of 22 categories of ecological traits describing fish life-history strategies to assess the outcome of the restoration projects. Restoration increased trait functional diversity and evenness in projects that were situated in the potamal zone of rivers. Restoration effect increased with the length of the restored river reaches. In areas with low levels of anthropogenic land use, the peak of the restoration effect was reached already within one to five years after the restoration and effect receded thereafter, while communities responded later in areas with higher levels of anthropogenic land use. In the lower potamal zone, a shift towards opportunistic life-history strategists was observed. In the upper rhithral zone, in contrast, species with an opportunistic life-history strategy increased only in the first five years of restoration, followed by a shift towards equilibrium strategists at restorations older than 5 years. This pattern was more pronounced in rivers with higher level of anthropogenic land use and longer restored river reaches. Restoration reduced the variability in community trait composition between river reaches suggesting that community trait composition within these zones converges when rivers are restored. This study showed how ecological traits are suitable to analyse restoration outcomes and how such an approach can be used for the evaluation and comparison of environmental management actions across geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Manfrin
- University of Applied Sciences Trier, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, P.O. Box 1380, 55761 Birkenfeld, Germany; University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany.
| | - Sven Teurlincx
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Armin W Lorenz
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Haase
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany; Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany
| | - Maare Marttila
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Natural Resources, Paavo Havaksen tie 3, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; University of Oulu, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, P.O. Box 8060, FI-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Jukka T Syrjänen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Gregor Thomas
- Federal Office for the Environment, Water Division, Papiermühlestrasse 172, 3063 Ittigen, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Stoll
- University of Applied Sciences Trier, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, P.O. Box 1380, 55761 Birkenfeld, Germany; University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
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