Characteristics, Main Impacts, and Stewardship of Natural and Artificial Freshwater Environments: Consequences for Biodiversity Conservation

Water, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 12(1), С. 260 - 260

Опубликована: Янв. 16, 2020

In this overview (introductory article to a special issue including 14 papers), we consider all main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater habitas (fwh). For each type, identify the biodiversity patterns ecological features, human impacts on system environmental issues, discuss ways use information improve stewardship. Examples selected key biodiversity/ecological features (habitat type): narrow endemics, sensitive (groundwater GDEs); crenobionts, LIHRes (springs); unidirectional flow, nutrient spiraling (streams); naturally turbid, floodplains, large-bodied species (large rivers); depth-variation in benthic communities (lakes); endemism diversity (ancient lakes); threatened, (oxbow lakes, SWE); diverse, reduced littoral (reservoirs); cold-adapted (Boreal Arctic fwh); endemism, depauperate (Antarctic flood pulse, intermittent wetlands, biggest river basins (tropical variable hydrologic regime—periods drying, flash floods (arid-climate fwh). Selected impacts: eutrophication other pollution, modifications, overexploitation, habitat destruction, invasive species, salinization. Climate change is threat multiplier, it important quantify resistance, resilience, recovery assess strategic role different ecosystems their value for conservation. Effective conservation solutions are dependent an understanding connectivity between (including related terrestrial, coastal marine systems).

Язык: Английский

---

European aquatic ecological assessment methods: A critical review of their sensitivity to key pressures

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 740, С. 140075 - 140075

Опубликована: Июнь 9, 2020

The European Union has embarked on a policy which aims to achieve good ecological status in all surface waters (i.e. rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters). In theory, assessment methods should address the effects of relevant human pressures. this study, we analyze degree countries use assess tackle various pressures affecting waters. Nutrient pollution is by far best-covered pressure for four water categories. Out total 423 methods, 370 eutrophication pressure-specific relationships have been demonstrated 212 these. "General degradation" addressed 238 mostly validated combined indices. Other major received significantly less effort: hydromorphological degradation assessed 160 just 40 Hydromorphological are (at least one BQE) only 25% 70–80% lakes Specific diagnostic tools single-pressure relationships) hydromorphology developed few countries: 20% such than half rivers. Toxic contamination 90 methods; however, eight Only two acidification three lakes. summary, currently and/or general degradation, but there not much evidence that they reliably pick up other significant as or toxic contamination. Therefore, recommend re-examine: (1) those affect different categories country; (2) pressures; (3) whether pressure-response each

Язык: Английский

---

Do Freshwater Fish Eat Microplastics? A Review with A Focus on Effects on Fish Health and Predictive Traits of MPs Ingestion

Water, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 13(16), С. 2214 - 2214

Опубликована: Авг. 14, 2021

Microplastics (MPs) have received increasing attention in the last decade and are now considered among most concerning emerging pollutants natural environments. Here, current knowledge on microplastic ingestion by wild freshwater fish is reviewed with a focus identification of possible factors leading to MPs consequences health. Within literature, 257 species fishes from 32 countries been documented ingest MPs. was found increase rising level urbanization, although direct correlation concentration surrounding water has not identified. detected all published articles, presence more than 50% specimens analyzed one study out two. Together digestive tract, were also gills, there evidence that can translocate different tissues organism. Strong evidence, therefore, exists may represent serious risk for ecosystems, danger human Moreover, toxicological effects highlighted catches, demonstrating importance this problem suggesting need laboratory experiments representative environmental situation.

Язык: Английский

---

Estimating nutrient thresholds for eutrophication management: Novel insights from understudied lake types

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 827, С. 154242 - 154242

Опубликована: Март 2, 2022

Nutrient targets based on pressure-response models are essential for defining ambitions and managing eutrophication. However, the scale of biogeographical variation in these relationships is poorly understood, which may hinder eutrophication management regions where lake ecology less intensively studied. In this study, we derive ecology-based nutrient five major ecoregions Europe: Northern, Central-Baltic, Alpine, Mediterranean Eastern Continental. As a first step, developed regressions between concentrations ecological quality ratios (EQR) phytoplankton macrophyte communities. Significant were established 13 types; most cases, stronger phosphorus than nitrogen, macrophytes. Using regressions, estimated total (TP) nitrogen (TN) at lakes different types likely to achieve good status. very shallow Continental region, relations biological communities weak or non-significant. This can be attributed high (in asymptotic zone phosphorus-phytoplankton models) suggesting other factors (light, grazing) limit primary production. also show that fish stocking pressure lakes, negatively affecting status: with low chlorophyll-a status despite levels, while study highlights need better understand biogeographic have been, historical reasons, This, turn, helps reveal challenge dominant paradigms assessment management.

Язык: Английский

---

Macrophyte assessment in European lakes: Diverse approaches but convergent views of ‘good’ ecological status

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 94, С. 185 - 197

Опубликована: Июль 2, 2018

The European Water Framework Directive has been adopted by Member States to assess and manage the ecological integrity of surface waters. Specific challenges include harmonizing diverse assessment systems across Europe, linking restoration measures reaching a common view on 'good' status. In this study, nine national macrophyte-based approaches for assessing status were compared harmonized, using large dataset 539 lakes. A macrophyte metric, representing average standardized each lake all countries, was used compare methods. This also shown reflect total phosphorus (r2 = 0.32), nitrogen 0.22) as well chlorophyll-a 0.35-0.38) gradients, providing link between data, stressors management decisions. Despite differing initial differences in classification, consensus reached how type-specific assemblages change gradient where boundaries should lie. marked decline submerged vegetation, especially Charophyta (characterizing status), an increase abundance free-floating plants 'less than good' status) most significant changes along gradient. Macrophyte communities lakes with many charophytes several Potamogeton species. number taxa occurred entire gradient, but only minority dominated at status, including filamentous algae, lemnids, nymphaeids, elodeids (e.g., Zannichellia palustris Elodea nuttallii). Our findings establish 'guiding image' community hard-water Central-Baltic region Europe.

Язык: Английский

---

Deriving nutrient criteria to support ʽgoodʼ ecological status in European lakes: An empirically based approach to linking ecology and management

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 650, С. 2074 - 2084

Опубликована: Сен. 28, 2018

European water policy has identified eutrophication as a priority issue for management. Substantial progress been made in combating but open issues remain, including setting reliable and meaningful nutrient criteria supporting 'good' ecological status of the Water Framework Directive. The paper introduces novel methodological approach - set four different methods that can be applied to ecosystems stressors derive empirically-based management targets. include Ranged Major Axis (RMA) regression, multivariate Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) logistic minimising mismatch classifications. We apply these approaches establish (nitrogen phosphorus) major productive shallow lake types Europe: high alkalinity (LCB1; mean depth 3-15 m) very (LCB2; < 3 lakes. Univariate relationships between nutrients macrophyte assessments explained 29-46% variation. Multivariate models with both total phosphorus (TP) nitrogen (TN) predictors had higher R2 values (0.50 LCB1 0.49 LCB2) relative use TN or TP singly. estimated concentrations at boundary where vegetation changes from 'moderate' status. lakes achieved below 48-53 μg/l 1.1-1.2 mg/l TN, compared LCB2 58-78 1.0-1.4 TN. Where strong regression exist, offer basis deriving their uncertainty, while categorical advantages risk assessment communication, analysis is constrained by discontinuous measures short stressor gradients. link communities user-friendly transparent way. Such analyses underpin practical actions needed achieve Europe.

Язык: Английский

---

Integrated assessment of ecosystem health using multiple indicator species

Ecological Engineering, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 130, С. 157 - 168

Опубликована: Фев. 26, 2019

Язык: Английский

---

Ecological integrity is both real and valuable

Conservation Science and Practice, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 4(2)

Опубликована: Ноя. 19, 2021

Abstract Ecological integrity has been criticized as a “bad fit value” for conservation biology and restoration ecology. But work over the past four decades centered on ecological integrity—especially biological integrity—has given rise to effective methods monitoring assessment better understand disintegration of living systems, including under scenarios rapid climate change. Revealing when where systems have altered by human activity, such adapted applied most comprehensively in streams rivers, but also other ecosystems, ranging from tropical forests marine coral reefs all continents except Antarctica. Equally important, maintenance is already fundamental goal law offers an inspiring framework communication engagement—among scientists, resource managers, law‐ policymakers, public. This essay builds case that proved both real valuable paradigm.

Язык: Английский

---

Microplastic pollution in perch (Perca fluviatilis, Linnaeus 1758) from Italian south-alpine lakes

Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 288, С. 117782 - 117782

Опубликована: Июль 12, 2021

Язык: Английский

---

What drives the ecological quality of surface waters? A review of 11 predictive modeling tools

Water Research, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 208, С. 117851 - 117851

Опубликована: Ноя. 9, 2021

What policy is needed to ensure that good-quality water available for both people's needs and the environment? The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), which came into force in 2000, established a framework assessment, management, protection improvement of status bodies across European Union. However, recent reviews show ecological majority surface waters does not meet requirement good status. Thus, it an important question what measures management authorities should take improve their bodies. To find concrete answers, several institutes Netherlands cooperated develop software tool, WFD Explorer, assist managers selecting efficient measures. This article deals with development prediction tools allow one calculate effect restoration mitigation on biological quality, expressed terms Ecological Quality Ratios (EQRs). ideal modeling tool we give review 11 predictive models: 10 models from field Machine Learning and, additionally, Multiple Regression model. We present our results 'prediction-interpretation competition'. All these were tested multiple-stressor setting: values 15 stressors (or steering factors) are predict EQR four quality elements (phytoplankton, other aquatic flora, benthic invertebrates fish). Analyses based 29 data sets various clusters (streams, ditches, lakes, channels). ranked by performance level model transparency. Our shows trade-off between two aspects. Models have best non-transparent structures. These Random Forest Boosting. low accuracies transparent response relationships EQRs hand individual factors hand. Regression, Trees Product Unit Neural Networks. acknowledge aspects – power transparency recommend groups implemented Explorer software.

Язык: Английский

---