Improving policies and instruments to address cumulative impacts of small hydropower in the Amazon

Athayde, Simone; Duarte, Carla Grigoletto; Gallardo, Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo; Moretto, Evandro Mateus; Sangoi, Luisa A; Dibo, Ana Paula Alves; Siqueira-Gay, Juliana; Sánchez, Luís Enrique

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.05.003

Cited by 70 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Although hydropower projects are defended as clean and renewable energy source, studies have shown the high impact of damming Amazon rivers to local biodiversity (aquatic and terrestrial) (Latrubesse et al 2017) and human livelihoods, including local traditional and indigenous people (e.g. loss of local food sources and population displacement) (Athayde et al, 2019;Fearnside 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Large areas are cleared for the reservoir construction and large indigenous lands and conservation units are flooded, causing displacement and threatening local livelihoods (e.g. fisheries and hunting) (Athayde et al 2019). In addition, reservoirs emit methane, which contributes to climate change (Fearnside 2006(Fearnside , 2015.…”

Section: Direct Drivers Of Deforestation: Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Pará state (Brazilian Eastern Amazon) presented the highest forest loss of the Brazilian Amazon states in 2019 (3,862 km²), with an increasing rate of 41% when compared to 2018 (Brazil, INPE, 2019). This rate followed a history of anthropogenic occupancy (last 50 years) mainly caused by anthropogenic actions such as road building (Fearsnide 2008, Soares-Filho et al 2004, hydropower projects (Athayde et al 2019), mining (Lobo et al 2018, Sonter et al 2017, Souza-Filho et al 2016 and agriculture expansion (Brown et al 2016, Simmons et al 2007, Simon & Garagorry 2005, which challenges forest conservation within the state.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathways to positive scenarios for the Amazon forest in Pará state, Brazil

et al. 2020

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Infrastructure projects and agriculture expansion are increasingly threatening forest conservation in Pará state (Brazil). It becomes necessary to address the implications of these activities on the Amazon complex socio-ecological system, considering both material and non-material aspects of Nature´s Contributions to People (NCP). Multiple studies developed future scenarios for the Amazon, but only a few have focused on discussing positive futures derived from policies and interventions based on conservation and human well-being. Here, we aim at understanding the drivers of forest cover change to produce positive scenarios for the future of the Amazon forest in Pará state. By using the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework, we identified as direct drivers of forest cover change: (i) roads construction; (ii) forest degradation; (iii) hydropower projects; (iv) urban expansion; (v) agriculture and pasture expansion; (vi) rural land occupation; (vii) mining; (viii) climate change. As indirect drivers we identified: (i) energy demand; (ii) population growth; (iii) land prices; (iv) commodity demand; (v) consumption behavior. The development of conservation strategies in the borders of deforested areas is needed given the high demand for Nature´s Contributions to People supply. We also propose policies to address the main drivers of forest cover change, influencing land management and consumption behavior in the state. At last, we envision future positive scenarios that would emerge from policy applications and sustainable actions. Based on our study, we discuss the importance of social learning for developing pathways leading to positive futures that consider the integrity and development of both ecological and social systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Direct Drivers Of Deforestation: Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathways to positive scenarios for the Amazon forest in Pará state, Brazil

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“…Brazil is an example, defining SHPs as facilities with installed electrical generation capacities between 5 and 30 MW (ANEEL, 2016). Multiple SHPs may be located in series along river systems, raising concerns about their cumulative effects on rivers and downstream ecosystems, as has been noted in China (Kibler and Tullos, 2013) and in the Amazon Basin (Athayde et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further Development of Small Hydropower Facilities May Alter Nutrient Transport to the Pantanal Wetland of Brazil

Oliveira

Fantin-Cruz

Campos

et al. 2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Small hydropower (SHP) facilities, defined variably but usually by installed capacities of <10–50 MW, are proliferating around the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Compared to larger dams, SHPs are generally viewed as having less environmental impact, although there has been little research to support that assertion. Numerous SHPs have been built, and many more are in development or proposed, in rivers that drain into the Pantanal, a world-renowned floodplain wetland system located mostly in Brazil. The upland tributaries are important sources of nutrients to the Pantanal, affecting the biological productivity of downstream floodplains. This study presents measurements from upstream and downstream of 25 current hydropower facilities, most of which are SHPs, throughout the upland watersheds of the Upper Paraguay River basin to reveal how these facilities may affect the concentrations and transport of nutrients in rivers flowing to the Pantanal. Artificial neural network models estimated the impact of building 80 future SHPs on nutrient transport into the Pantanal, based on observations at current facilities as well as the spatial distribution of future facilities. Overall impacts of current hydropower facilities were not large, and in most cases were indistinguishable based on comparisons between upstream and downstream. The short water residence times of reservoirs associated with SHPs likely explain their tendency to have little or no effect on nutrient transport. However, model predictions for hydropower facilities that may be built in the future, many on rivers with higher discharge and sediment loads, point to significant reductions in overall TN (8%) and TP (29%) transport, with potential negative consequences for river and floodplain productivity. Negative impacts may be either because the rivers carry low nutrient concentrations and are thereby sensitive to oligotrophication, or they are particularly important overall nutrient sources supporting ecosystem productivity in downstream rivers and floodplains. Together with a parallel study of sediment transport, these results support recommendations that several river systems presently lacking dams in their lower reaches should be excluded from future hydropower development to maintain the nutrient and sediment supply to the Pantanal.

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“…Despite the paucity of information, many countries have enacted policies that promote SHPs, including minimal environmental review. Where multiple SHPs are or will be located in series along river systems, their cumulative effects on sediment transport to downstream ecosystems deserve attention (Kibler and Tullos, 2013;Athayde et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improving policies and instruments to address cumulative impacts of small hydropower in the Amazon

Cited by 70 publications

References 29 publications

Pathways to positive scenarios for the Amazon forest in Pará state, Brazil

Pathways to positive scenarios for the Amazon forest in Pará state, Brazil

Further Development of Small Hydropower Facilities May Alter Nutrient Transport to the Pantanal Wetland of Brazil

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