Exploring variability in environmental impact risk from human activities across aquatic ecosystems

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.339
• Publication Date: 2018-10-25T22:55:58Z
• Authors: Florian Borgwardt; Leonie Robinson; Daniel Trauner; Heliana Teixeira; Antonio J.A. Nogu...; Ana I. Lillebø; Gerjan Piet; Mathias Kuemmerlen; Tim O'Higgins; Hugh McDonald; Juan Arevalo-Torres; Ana Luisa Barbosa; Alejandro Iglesia...; Thomas Hein; Fiona Culhane
• Keywords: Marine ecosystem

Aquatic ecosystems are under severe pressure. Human activities introduce an array of pressures that impact and their components. In this study we focus on the aquatic domains fresh, coastal marine waters, including rivers, lakes riparian habitats to transitional, as well shelf oceanic habitats. environmental risk assessment approach, identified chains link 45 human through 31 82 ecosystem linkage framework >22,000 activity-pressure-ecosystem component interactions were found across seven European case studies. We posed by each chain first categorically weighting according five criteria: spatial extent, dispersal potential, frequency interaction, persistence pressure severity where dispersal, account for exposure (spatial temporal), accounts consequence risk. After assigning a numerical score criterion, came up with overall chain. This was analysed in terms (1) greatest domains, (2) components realms at from activities. Activities related energy production relevant domains. Fishing highly engineering fresh waters. Chemical physical introduced realms. Ecosystem can be seen ecotones between different had high show how information used informing management trade-offs freshwater, resource use aid decision-making.