Hydropower development in the Republic of Georgia and implications for freshwater biodiversity conservation

Japoshvili, Bella; Couto, Thiago B. A.; Mumladze, Levan; Epitashvili, Giorgi; McClain, Michael E.; Jenkins, Clinton N.; Anderson, Elizabeth P.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109359

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Biodiversity hotspots are, therefore, in urgent need of protection. These energy systems that share their catchment areas with biodiversity hotspots require a deeper understanding of the livelihood options of the surrounding communities concerning watershed management and biodiversity conservation (Japoshvili et al, 2021).…”

Section: Biodiversity Hotspots Within Energy Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

Mwale,

To,

Gogoda

et al. 2024

IJESM

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Purpose This study aims to investigate the intricate relationships between a community energy system, water resources and biodiversity conservation, with a specific focus on augmenting community energy resilience in Bondo. The primary objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of how community members perceive and experience the challenges related to balancing the often-conflicting demands of energy, water and biodiversity conservation within this context. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a qualitative approach to unravel the multifaceted dynamics of community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation in Bondo. Data were collected through focus groups and direct observations, enabling a nuanced exploration of community perspectives and lived experiences. The subsequent analysis of this qualitative data follows established thematic analysis procedures. Findings The study's findings shed light on the formidable barriers that impede rural communities in Malawi from accessing electricity effectively. Even in communities fortunate enough to have electricity connections, the lack of knowledge regarding productive electricity use results in community energy systems operating at significantly reduced load factors. Furthermore, the intricate challenge of managing a biodiversity hotspot persists, exacerbated by the densely populated peripheral communities' continued reliance on forest, land and water resources. These activities, in turn, contribute to ecosystem degradation. Originality/value In a context where government-led management of forest reserves and game reserves has not yielded the expected results due to a multitude of factors, there arises a compelling need for innovative approaches. One such innovation involves fostering partnerships between the government and experienced trusts as lead organisations, providing a fresh perspective on addressing the complex interplay between community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation. This novel approach opens doors to explore alternative pathways for achieving the delicate balance between human energy needs and the preservation of vital ecosystems.

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Section: Biodiversity Hotspots Within Energy Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

Mwale,

To,

Gogoda

et al. 2024

IJESM

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“…Land use changes, alteration in freshwater habitat, and in water quality have been identified as the main causeeffect pathways describing the impact of hydropower on biodiversity (Gracey and Verones 2016). Although the impact of hydropower on terrestrial ecosystems can be major (e.g., Pandit and Grumbine 2012;Jones et al 2016) and does not necessarily correlate with impacts on aquatic ecosystems (Dorber et al 2020), a larger proportion of literature focuses on freshwater ecosystems (Winemiller et al 2016;Ashraf et al 2018;Zarfl et al 2019;Japoshvili et al 2021), and in particular on mitigation measures for salmonids, including fish ramps (Haraldstad et al 2019) or adjustments in minimum flow requirements (Poff et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New indicator of habitat functionality reveals high risk of underestimating trade-offs among sustainable development goals: The case of wild reindeer and hydropower

Dorber

Panzacchi

Strand

et al. 2023

Ambio

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Although biodiversity is crucial for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), following the current trajectory, we risk failing SDG 15. Using a new indicator quantifying the loss of functional habitat (habitat that is simultaneously suitable and well-connected), we show that the real impact of renewable energy is far larger than previously assumed. Specifically, we estimate that the construction of hydropower reservoirs in south Norway caused a loss of ca. 222 km2 of functional habitat for wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)—which is far larger than assumed based on land inundation indices (110 km2). Fully mitigating these impacts is challenging: scenario analyses reveal that the measures proposed by societal actors would yield only a fraction of the habitat lost (2–12 km2) and could cause trade-off risks with other SDGs. Using indices of functional connectivity is crucial for environmental impact assessments, as entire ecological networks for several species can be affected far beyond the reservoirs.

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“…The South Caucasus is widely recognised as a biodiversity hotspot characterised by a great diversity of landscapes and climate zones that shelter a highly diverse plant and animal biota. Freshwater biodiversity is the most understudied ecological aspect of the South Caucasus (Mumladze et al 2020), whose watercourses are exploited for hydropower production (Japoshvili et al 2021) and secondarily for drinking water uptake, fisheries, irrigation and recreational activities. However, the potential threats faced by the freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems of the South Caucasus have not yet been evaluated, hence remain overall poorly understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the potential threats faced by the freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems of the South Caucasus have not yet been evaluated, hence remain overall poorly understood. Only in a recent study have the effects of existing and planned hydropower plants on the connectivity of fish communities in Georgia been investigated in some detail (Japoshvili et al 2021). Additionally, in another recent study, an attempt has been made to summarise the diversity, distribution and introduction history of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus based on a literature review and social-media data (Kuljanishvili et al 2021b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot

Mumladze¹,

Kuljanishvili²,

Japoshvili³

et al. 2022

Self Cite

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Aquatic invasions are one of the major threats for freshwater ecosystems. However, in developing countries, knowledge of biological invasions, essential for the implementation of appropriate legislation, is often limited if not entirely lacking. In this regard, the identification of potentially invasive non-native species by risk screening, followed by a full risk assessment of the species ranked as higher risk, enables decision-makers to be informed about the extent of the threats posed to the recipient (risk assessment) area. In this study, 32 non-native extant and horizon fish species were screened for their risk of invasiveness under current and predicted climate conditions for the South Caucasus – a biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot that includes the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Overall, the number of very high-risk species increased from four (12.5%) under current climate conditions to 12 (37.5%) under predicted climate conditions. The highest-risk species under both conditions included the already established gibel carp Carassius gibelio and topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, the locally translocated pikeperch Sander lucioperca and the horizon North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Under predicted climate conditions, a very high risk of invasiveness was predicted also for the translocated three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis, for the already established eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua, sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus and Nile tilapia Orechromis niloticus, and for the horizon pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Future research on the non-native species in the South Caucasus should be conducted both country- and region-wide and should account not only for the high biodiversity, but also for the critical geopolitical situation affecting the study area.

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Hydropower development in the Republic of Georgia and implications for freshwater biodiversity conservation

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

New indicator of habitat functionality reveals high risk of underestimating trade-offs among sustainable development goals: The case of wild reindeer and hydropower

Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot

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Hydropower development in the Republic of Georgia and implications for freshwater biodiversity conservation

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity

New indicator of habitat functionality reveals high risk of underestimating trade-offs among sustainable development goals: The case of wild reindeer and hydropower

﻿Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot

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Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot