Abstract The nexus concept has considerably matured during the past decade. Numerous literature reviews have significantly contributed to taking stock of advancements in knowledge and tool development improve science-policy support on highly connected interdependent resources. However, often focus specific sector-based concepts (such as water-energy-food nexus) analyses environmental assessment, technical tools, or management policy dimension). Therefore, a comprehensive understanding actual...

Attempts to monitor the quality of freshwater resources on a global scale unveil huge data lacks. Involving citizens in collection has potential resolve this lack water data. However, it is widely unclear which factors drive success citizen science activities. Based systematic literature review 56 peer-reviewed research articles, we identify three sets for successful projects monitoring: (i) attributes (knowledge and experience collecting data, awareness environmental problems, motivation,...

Monitoring the qualitative status of freshwaters is an important goal international community, as stated in Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) indicator 6.3.2 on good ambient water quality. data are, however, lacking many countries, allegedly because capacity challenges less-developed countries. So far, relationship between human development and for quality monitoring have not been analysed systematically. This hinders implementation fine-tuned programmes monitoring. Against this...

Wicked problems continuously emerge in the field of environmental governance. Characterized by goal conflicts, complexity, and uncertainty, wicked typically call for participatory policy designs. However, effects participation are widely unclear, given indefinite nature solutions to problems. This research sheds light on this debate developing applying a systematic structural approach assess mixes emerging Based review literature public governance, we identify eight assessment criteria...

Governance for complex problem solving has been increasingly discussed in environmental sustainability research. Above all, researchers continuously observe that problems are or “wicked”, and suggest participatory models to address these practice. In order add this debate, study suggests a more differentiated theoretical approach define governance than previous studies. The consists of two vital steps: First, we operationalize complexity management strategies based on findings from...

Nutrient pollution of freshwaters from agriculture is a key barrier to achieving the water quality goals European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Governance research suggests that governance structures can support planning measures. However, it widely unclear how specific affect actual nature practical measures taken for addressing "wicked problem" diffuse nutrient pollution. This study analyses extent consensual policy styles, organizational and program integration, participatory...

Plastics in rivers and lakes have direct local impact, may also reach the world's oceans. Monitoring river plastic pollution is therefore key to quantify, understand reduce plastics all aquatic ecosystems. The lack of harmonization between ongoing monitoring efforts compromises comparison combination available data. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched guidelines on freshwater monitoring, provide a starting point for practitioners scientists towards harmonized data...

Governance has become a cornerstone in addressing complex linkages between multiple resources such as water, energy, and food. However, contributions of governance research interdisciplinary projects are either lacking or highly controversial. Drawing on Integrated Water Resources Management-related experiences German emerging developing countries, we demonstrate how to strengthen NEXUS-related analyses: There be stronger focus the analyses existing useful strategies well conditions for...

The nitrogen pollution of freshwater heavily affects social–ecological systems. To reduce negative effects, research calls for an integrated approach, including a coherent and diverse set governance instruments. Thus far, however, the effects (non-)integration have been blurry. Taking Germany as example, this study sheds light on actual complexity problem along five dimensions (goals, variables, dynamics, interconnections, uncertainties). It also related instruments (rules, information,...

Abstract Public policy scholars increasingly deal with wicked problems and how diverse actors structure these in processes. However, the role of at interface science society such as communicators structuring remains widely unclear. This paper analyzes translate their communication activities focusing on two research questions: How do understand problem territories they are dealing terms wickedness? And to what degree aim tame or communicate wickedness public? To answer questions, 20 projects...

Wastewater management in Latin America faces great challenges to reach a sustainable state. Although enough infrastructure has been built treat around 40% of wastewater, only between 15–20% is effectively treated, and abandoned or defective common sight. Data about current conditions at specific sites quite fragmented, when existing. This leads management, decision making planning for options. We argue that main obstacle the lack regionally relevant sustainability assessment framework allows...

Abstract Public policy problems are increasingly being characterised as wicked or tame problems, assuming that this classification is also meaningful for attempts to effective problem-solving. But do distinct ‘wicked’ ‘tame’ empirically exist? We investigate 37 water-related in Germany, based on interview-based data problem wickedness and official delivery. Our analysis clearly reveals four clusters of water governance (system complexity, uncertainty, problems), variations three factors...

Following particularly dry years causing droughts in many parts of the world, several countries worldwide have been affected by floods July and August 2021. Some these were catastrophic, deaths widespread damage. These came with a cascade side effects, such as destruction wastewater treatment systems chemical infrastructure, contamination rivers various pollutants including sewage overflows spills hazardous substances. This yields long-term negative effects on social-ecological (Doocy et...

Abstract Environmental governance regularly has to cope with complex problems. However, ‘complexity’ mostly been used as a heuristic concept and hardly made operable for empirical research. Drawing on psychological research problem solving, we propose structured operationalization of complexity in the five dimensions (1) goals, (2) variables, (3) dynamics, (4) interconnectedness (5) information uncertainty. Based 65 semi‐standardized expert interviews 158 assessments degrees, analyse map 37...

Abstract Environmental problems are often wicked, shaped by conflicts, complexity, and uncertainty. Research is called here to design effective management approaches adapted these specific features of environmental problems. However, hardly account for both result‐orientation the respective needs in face wicked By combining results‐based literature with an analytic understanding wickedness, we identify 12 indicators along four stages (inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes) three dimensions...

Managing environmental resources in a nexus manner is typically denoted as highly wicked problem. Such denotations are, however, barely based on clearly defined dimensions and degrees of wickedness. This hinders the application effective policy governance strategies to address problems practice. study provides conceptually thorough analysis wickedness resource problems, taking specific water-soil Loess plateau China an example. Analyses are clear operationalization provided literature public...

Land subsidence due to overexploitation of aquifers is often attributed incoherent public policies. Taking the case Mahyar valley in Iran as an example, and based on a mixed-method research design, this study analyses effects policy incoherence well use for agricultural irrigation resulting groundwater levels. Results show how accumulation over time results increased construction wells, ultimately leading table drawdown, with significant decrease 7.61 m last 16 years.

Currently installed wastewater treatment systems in many developing countries are unsustainable, failing either the social, economic or ecological dimension of sustainability. Nexus research looking at resources involved could support transition towards more sustainable systems. thinking aims to overcome bio-physical by including transdisciplinary methods. Approaches for integrating results from different types analysis and disciplinary backgrounds scarce have not been described extensively...

Abstract Plastic pollution in freshwater environments is an emerging threat to ecosystem health and human livelihood. Plastics that accumulate rivers lakes over long time periods have direct local impact, may eventually also reach the world’s oceans. Monitoring river plastic therefore key quantify, understand reduce plastics all aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, global monitoring still its early stage. The lack of harmonization between ongoing efforts compromises comparison combination...