Ecologically relevant low flows for riverine benthic macroinvertebrates: characterization and application

Intensifying hydrologic alteration and the resultant degradation of river ecosystems worldwide have catalyzed a growing body of ecohydrological research into the relationships between flow regime attributes, physical habitat dynamics and biotic response, particularly for determining environmental flows. While invertebrate response to floods has received most attention, in this thesis the aim was to identify and characterize low flows that constituted various degrees of physical disturbance to benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of perennial rivers

Accelerating environmental flow implementation to bend the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss

Environmental flows (e-flows) aim to mitigate the threat of altered hydrological regimes in river systems and connected waterbodies and are an important component of integrated strategies to address multiple threats to freshwater biodiversity. Expanding and accelerating implementation of e-flows can support river conservation and help to restore the biodiversity and resilience of hydrologically altered and water-stressed rivers and connected freshwater ecosystems. While there have been significant developments in e-flow science, assessment, and societal acceptance, implementation of e-flows within water resource management has been slower than required and geographically uneven. This review explores critical factors that enable successful e-flow implementation and biodiversity outcomes in particular, drawing on 13 case studies and the literature. It presents e-flow implementation as an adaptive management cycle enabled by 10 factors: legislation and governance, financial and human resourcing, stakeholder engagement and co-production of knowledge, collaborative monitoring of ecological and social-economic outcomes, capacity training and research, exploration of trade-offs among water users, removing or retrofitting water infrastructure to facilitate e-flows and connectivity, and adaptation to climate change. Recognising that there may be barriers and limitations to the full and effective enablement of each factor, the authors have identified corresponding options and generalizable recommendations for actions to overcome prominent constraints, drawing on the case studies and wider literature. The urgency of addressing flow-related freshwater biodiversity loss demands collaborative networks to train and empower a new generation of e-flow practitioners equipped with the latest tools and insights to lead adaptive environmental water management globally. Mainstreaming e-flows within conservation planning, integrated water resource management, river restoration strategies, and adaptations to climate change is imperative. The policy drivers and associated funding commitments of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offer crucial opportunities to achieve the human benefits contributed by e-flows as nature-based solutions, such as flood risk management, floodplain fisheries restoration, and increased river resilience to climate change

VIDEO: Session 2: Rivers and People: Improving Environmental Water Management by Integrating Social and Eco-Hydrological Sciences

VIDEO: SESSION TWO: Rivers and People: Improving Environmental Water Management by Integrating Social and Eco-Hydrological Sciences Moderator: Sue Jackson, Griffith University 1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Environmental Flows in the Era of River Anthropology: Rebecca Tharme, Riverfutures Ltd. 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Environmental Flow Case Studies Case 1. Three Tropical North Australian Basins (the Fitzroy River, Daly River and the Mitchell): Michael Douglas, University of Western Australia, and Sue Jackson, Griffith University Case 2. The Patuca (Honduras) and Marañon (Ecuador-Peru) Basins: Elizabeth P. Anderson, Florida International University Case 3. Southern and Eastern African River Basins (Rufiji and Mara Basins): Rebecca Tharme, Riverfutures Ltd. Case 4. USA Case Studies: Joe Flotemersch, US Environmental Protection Agenc

Management of water and agroecosystems in landscapes for sustainable food security.

Various food and financial crises have increased the pressure on natural resources while expanding on alternative ways of considering agroecosystems as potential long-term providers of ecosystem services if managed in a sustainable and equitable way. Through the study of interrelations between ecosystems, water and food security, this book has aimed to increase the understanding and knowledge of these interactions for better planning and decision making processes at various levels. This chapter concludes Managing Water and Agroecosystems for Food Security. It discusses the main findings of the preceding chapters, from analyses of drivers of sustainable food security, via agroecosystems with their ecosystem services and challenges for water use and scarcity, to specific challenges for environments such as drylands and wetlands. Using a comprehensive landscape approach, recommendations on water productivity, agroecosystem services and integrated water management are brought together succinctly. In addition, knowledge gaps and issues for further research have been identified that may support further implementation of the agroecological approach in many landscapes around the world