Advances in Ecological Water System Modeling: Integration and Leanification as a Basis for Application in Environmental Management

Goethals, Peter; Forio, Marie Anne Eurie

doi:10.3390/w10091216

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Contrary to our study, Deknock et al [1] were not able to consider seasonality, which potentially affects the identification of priority zones. As such, future samples should be taken in other months [83], as model simulations indicate pesticide concentrations can be higher in months other than those considered in the study of Deknock et al [1]. This second fact, being the seasonal variation of the pesticide concentrations, is, in general, a valuable insight that can optimise future sampling campaigns.…”

Section: Pesticide Dynamics In the Guayas River Basinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to Simulate the Pesticide Dynamics in the Data Scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador

Cambien

Gobeyn

Nolivos

et al. 2020

Water

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Agricultural intensification has stimulated the economy in the Guayas River basin in Ecuador, but also affected several ecosystems. The increased use of pesticides poses a serious threat to the freshwater ecosystem, which urgently calls for an improved knowledge about the impact of pesticide practices in this study area. Several studies have shown that models can be appropriate tools to simulate pesticide dynamics in order to obtain this knowledge. This study tested the suitability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate the dynamics of two different pesticides in the data scarce Guayas River basin. First, we set up, calibrated and validated the model using the streamflow data. Subsequently, we set up the model for the simulation of the selected pesticides (i.e., pendimethalin and fenpropimorph). While the hydrology was represented soundly by the model considering the data scare conditions, the simulation of the pesticides should be taken with care due to uncertainties behind essential drivers, e.g., application rates. Among the insights obtained from the pesticide simulations are the identification of critical zones for prioritisation, the dominant areas of pesticide sources and the impact of the different land uses. SWAT has been evaluated to be a suitable tool to investigate the impact of pesticide use under data scarcity in the Guayas River basin. The strengths of SWAT are its semi-distributed structure, availability of extensive online documentation, internal pesticide databases and user support while the limitations are high data requirements, time-intensive model development and challenging streamflow calibration. The results can also be helpful to design future water quality monitoring strategies. However, for future studies, we highly recommend extended monitoring of pesticide concentrations and sediment loads. Moreover, to substantially improve the model performance, the availability of better input data is needed such as higher resolution soil maps, more accurate pesticide application rate and actual land management programs. Provided that key suggestions for further improvement are considered, the model is valuable for applications in river ecosystem management of the Guayas River basin.

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Section: Pesticide Dynamics In the Guayas River Basinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to Simulate the Pesticide Dynamics in the Data Scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador

Cambien

Gobeyn

Nolivos

et al. 2020

Water

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“…(2) Innovative monitoring methods of aquatic ecosystems that can provide numerical evidence about the changes in the wetland ecosystems and their status over time [8,13,14]. (3) Innovative modeling based on machine learning, allowing support for policy decisions related to data collection, analysis, and restoration scenario selection [13,15]. In addition to gaining critical insights in relation to wetland system variables, these techniques allow us to make simulations that can provide additional insights into which restoration actions are most optimal [16].…”

Section: Information Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A main aspect of applied ecological modeling is to determine an appropriate equilibrium (Figure 6) between the number of processes and the user convenience (development time and reliability) of the models [15]. Several biotic and abiotic characteristics of the aquatic ecosystems can be integrated to determine the wetland conditions with human activities [14].…”

Section: Modeling As a Basis For Evidence-based Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, an efficient and applied modeling approach should determine an appropriate equilibrium between the combination of more processes and environmental parameters, in balance with development and simulation times (and costs) that wetland managers and stakeholders can offer. In some cases, relatively simple models might be more practical to investigate particular aspects in a short time span, while in other cases, a higher level of model complexity and reliability is more important than a shortened simulation time [15]. The latter can be the case when large interventions are needed, which entail huge investments (e.g., dredging for channel deepening and maintenance, land use reshuffling).…”

Section: Modeling As a Basis For Evidence-based Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evidence-Based Management of the Anzali Wetland System (Northern Iran) Based on Innovative Monitoring and Modeling Methods

Pasvisheh

Forio

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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As an “international aquatic ecosystem” in Northern Iran, the Anzali wetland is a nursery for fish and a breeding and wintering area for a wide variety of waterfowl. The wetland is threatened by human activities (deforestation, hunting, tourism, and urbanization), leading to habitat destruction, eutrophication, and sediment accumulation. To stop the degradation and to set up effective protection and restoration in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, scientific insights must be integrated into a practical framework for evidence-based support for policymakers and managers of the Anzali wetland. In this study, the Drivers–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework is used as a suitable tool to link human pressures and state changes to derive an overview of the potential impacts. Population growth, intensive agriculture, increased urbanization, and industrialization are the major driving forces that have led to a complex cascade of state changes. For instance, during recent years, water quality deterioration, habitat degradation, and the overgrowth of invasive species in the Anzali wetland watershed have caused negative socio-economic and human health impacts. Integrated and innovative monitoring programs combined with socio-environmental modeling techniques are needed for a more evidence-based management approach as part of a multiresponse strategy for the sustainable development of the wetland system. In this respect, there is a critical gap in useful information concerning biological composition and innovative monitoring methods. Moreover, the relation of biota with human activity and environmental conditions needs to be better quantified. Therefore, ecological modeling techniques based on machine learning and statistics were reviewed for their advantages and disadvantages. The overview of approaches presented here can serve as the basis for scientists, practitioners, and decision-makers to develop and implement evidence-based management programs for the Anzali wetland.

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“…It is also critical for providing an evidence-based documentation of the state of water bodies as a result of human disturbances and interventions. Furthermore, monitoring and assessment programmes provide insights into which strategies and management actions are effective in reducing or preventing further the policy development of policymakers and provide information to stakeholders which may encourage them to participate in the decision-making and implementation process [11]. They can also be used as a basis for adapting the implemented actions and at the same time evaluating these actions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Integrated Approach of Multi-Community Monitoring and Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystems to Support Sustainable Development

Forio

Goethals

2020

Sustainability

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Aquatic ecosystems are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world resulting in the decline of aquatic biodiversity. Monitoring and the assessment of aquatic ecosystems are necessary to protect and conserve these ecosystems as monitoring provides insights into the changes in the aquatic ecosystem over a long period of time and assessment indicates the status of these ecosystems. This paper presents an overview of different methods for the hydromorphological, physical–chemical and the biological monitoring and assessment of surface waters. Furthermore, recently developed monitoring and assessment methods are discussed to support sustainable water management and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG6 related to clean water and sanitation) and 15 (SDG15 related to terrestrial and freshwater systems) of the United Nations. However, many other SDGs are dependent on freshwater, such as food (e.g., SDG2) and climate-related SDGs. We presented an innovative concept for integrated monitoring and assessment. The main new elements are the monitoring of all communities and the use of integrated socio-environmental models to link these communities to ecosystem interactions and functions as a basis for determining their relation to the SDGs. Models can also allow to determine the effects of changes in SDGs on the different elements of the concept, and serve in this manner as tools for the selection of an optimal balance between the SDGs in the context of sustainable development.

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Advances in Ecological Water System Modeling: Integration and Leanification as a Basis for Application in Environmental Management

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to Simulate the Pesticide Dynamics in the Data Scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador

Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to Simulate the Pesticide Dynamics in the Data Scarce Guayas River Basin, Ecuador

Evidence-Based Management of the Anzali Wetland System (Northern Iran) Based on Innovative Monitoring and Modeling Methods

An Integrated Approach of Multi-Community Monitoring and Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystems to Support Sustainable Development

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