Article
Details
Citation
Spears BM, Chapman DS, Carvalho L, Feld CK, Gessner MO, Piggott JJ, Banin LF, Gutiérrez-Cánovas C, Solheim AL, Richardson JA, Schinegger R, Segurado P, Thackeray SJ & Birk S (2021) Making waves. Bridging theory and practice towards multiple stressor management in freshwater ecosystems. Water Research, 196, Art. No.: 116981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.116981
Abstract
Despite advances in conceptual understanding, single-stressor abatement approaches remain common in the management of fresh waters, even though they can produce unexpected ecological responses when multiple stressors interact. Here we identify limitations restricting the development of multiple-stressor management strategies and address these, bridging theory and practice, within a novel empirical framework. Those critical limitations include that (i) monitoring schemes fall short of accounting for theory on relationships between multiple-stressor interactions and ecological responses, (ii) current empirical modelling approaches neglect the prevalence and intensity of multiple-stressor interactions, and (iii) mechanisms of stressor interactions are often poorly understood. We offer practical recommendations for the use of empirical models and experiments to predict the effects of freshwater degradation in response to changes in multiple stressors, demonstrating this approach in a case study. Drawing on our framework, we offer practical recommendations to support the development of effective management strategies in three general multiple-stressor scenarios.
Keywords
Antagonism; Synergism; Interactions; Lakes; Rivers; Restoration; Management
Journal
Water Research: Volume 196
Status | Published |
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Funders | Natural Environment Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council |
Publication date | 15/05/2021 |
Publication date online | 26/02/2021 |
Date accepted by journal | 23/02/2021 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/32948 |
ISSN | 0043-1354 |
People (1)
Senior Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences