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Vári Á, Podschun SA, Erős T, Hein T, Pataki B, Iojă IC, Adamescu CM, Gerhardt A, Gruber T, Dedić A, Ćirić M, Gavrilović B, Báldi A. Freshwater systems and ecosystem services: Challenges and chances for cross-fertilization of disciplines. Ambio 2022; 51:135-151. [PMID: 33983559 PMCID: PMC8651970 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01556-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened in the world, while providing numerous essential ecosystem services (ES) to humans. Despite their importance, research on freshwater ecosystem services is limited. Here, we examine how freshwater studies could help to advance ES research and vice versa. We summarize major knowledge gaps and suggest solutions focusing on science and policy in Europe. We found several features that are unique to freshwater ecosystems, but often disregarded in ES assessments. Insufficient transfer of knowledge towards stakeholders is also problematic. Knowledge transfer and implementation seems to be less effective towards South-east Europe. Focusing on the strengths of freshwater research regarding connectivity, across borders, involving multiple actors can help to improve ES research towards a more dynamic, landscape-level approach, which we believe can boost the implementation of the ES concept in freshwater policies. Bridging these gaps can contribute to achieve the ambitious targets of the EU's Green Deal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Vári
- Lendület Ecosystem Services Research Group, Centre for Ecological Research, 2-4 Alkotmány utca, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Simone A. Podschun
- Department Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Justus-von-Liebig-Str. 7, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tibor Erős
- ELKH Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Thomas Hein
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- WasserCluster Lunz - Biologische Station, Dr. Carl-Kupelwieser-Prom. 5, 3293 Lunz/See, Austria
| | - Beáta Pataki
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Debrecen, Ótemető u. 2-4, 4028 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ioan-Cristian Iojă
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu nr. 1, Bucureşti, 030167 Romania
| | - Cristian Mihai Adamescu
- Research Center for Systems Ecology and Sustainability, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Almut Gerhardt
- Limco International GmbH, Wollmatinger Str. 22, 78467 Constance, Germany
| | - Tamás Gruber
- WWF Hungary, Álmos vezér útja 69/A, 1141 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Dedić
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Education, University of Mostar, Rodoč bb, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Miloš Ćirić
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojan Gavrilović
- Department of Physical Geography, Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Djure Jakšića 9, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - András Báldi
- Lendület Ecosystem Services Research Group, Centre for Ecological Research, 2-4 Alkotmány utca, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
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