Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mark Brady, Mikael Skou Andersen, Anna Andersson, Emils Kilis, Sanna-Riikka Saarela, Martin Hvarregaard Thorsoe
Summary: The perspective article discusses recommendations for strengthening the policy framework to protect the Baltic Sea from agricultural nutrient pollution, emphasizing the importance of implementing prescribed abatement measures and leveraging EU institutions. It also highlights the need for strengthening local institutions and implementing voluntary land-use measures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tuuli Soomets, Kaire Toming, Jekaterina Jefimova, Andres Jaanus, Arno Pollumae, Tiit Kutser
Summary: This study used remote sensing data to estimate nutrient concentrations in Estonian marine waters, with a focus on total nitrogen. The results showed that remote sensing could be a reliable method for monitoring nutrient loads and understanding regional water quality in marine ecosystems.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tuomas Karna, Patrik Ljungemyr, Saeed Falahat, Ida Ringgaard, Lars Axell, Vasily Korabel, Jens Murawski, Ilja Maljutenko, Anja Lindenthal, Simon Jandt-Scheelke, Svetlana Verjovkina, Ina Lorkowski, Priidik Lagemaa, Jun She, Laura Tuomi, Adam Nord, Vibeke Huess
Summary: This paper describes Nemo-Nordic 2.0, an operational marine model for the Baltic Sea, which is used for both near-real-time forecasts and hindcast purposes. The model is based on the NEMO circulation model and previous configurations, with notable updates to improve its representation of inflow events. Validation against observations and ice chart data shows that the model can reproduce the hydrographic features of the Baltic Sea successfully.
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Konstantinos Stefanidis, Anthi Oikonomou, Maria Stoumboudi, Elias Dimitriou, Nikolaos Theodor Skoulikidis
Summary: This study used Greece as a case study to examine the anticipated synergies between the Water Framework Directive and Nature Directives in restoring ecological status of Greek running waters, and found limited synergy between the two directives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Johanna Schumacher, Sabine Lange, Felix Mueller, Gerald Schernewski
Summary: Spatial assessments of ecosystem services are necessary for EU policy compliance and practical applications. The study introduces a novel approach for integrating land and sea in assessing ES, using a combination of habitat typology and ES classification. Expert-based and indicator-based methods are applied to quantify ES potentials and flows, with a focus on marine habitats. The results show development capacities in provisioning ES for marine ecosystems, indicating the potential for future policy support.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ioannis Souliotis, Nikolaos Voulvoulis
Summary: In accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, management responses should be developed to improve water quality, enhance ecosystem health, and ensure the effective provision of ecosystem services.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samuli Korpinen, Laura Uusitalo, Marie C. Nordstrom, Jan Dierking, Maciej T. Tomczak, Jannica Haldin, Silvia Opitz, Erik Bonsdorff, Stefan Neuenfeldt
Summary: Ecosystem-based management requires assessment of food webs. However, current food web indicators lack interconnectivity among trophic guilds. Food web models have the potential to address these shortcomings and provide additional coherence and evaluation methods. However, there are still limitations that hinder the formal implementation of models in practice.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Anna Andersson, Mark V. Brady, Johanna Pohjola
Summary: Implementing abatement plans for the Baltic Sea may be more costly than necessary and likely to be perceived as unfair, suggesting a need for compensatory payments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katharine Heyl
Summary: The eutrophication of the Baltic Sea is a longstanding environmental issue caused by excessive phosphorus input. The Helsinki Convention and the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan were adopted by neighboring states to address this problem. This article assesses how the Common Agricultural Policy in Germany implements the agriculture actions of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan and contributes to the Helsinki Convention objective. Results show that while the policy addresses most actions, shortcomings such as voluntariness, limited funding, and lack of real reform may offset its potential. Additional effective policy instruments at the EU level are needed.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pierre Guy Atangana Njock, Annan Zhou, Zhenyu Yin, Shui-Long Shen
Summary: This study proposes a flexible methodology for quantifying the risk status of coastal subbasins, which integrates the characteristics of multi-criteria analysis and fuzzy set theory. The methodology includes constructing a risk index to reveal the extent of cumulative nutrients discharges. The application of the proposed model in the Baltic Sea shows an increasing trend of risk index over the years and aligns well with field observations and HELCOM predictions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Savitri Jetoo, Varvara Lahtinen
Summary: This study conducted a SWOT analysis of the ecosystem approach in the Baltic Sea Region, highlighting its interdisciplinary focus and acceptance as a conservation framework as strengths, but also identifying resource intensiveness and operational complexity as weaknesses. The analysis revealed an opportunity for easy alignment with other policies in the external environment, while the main external threat was the difficulty integrating disciplines.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Martyn G. Kelly, Geoff Phillips, Heliana Teixeira, Gabor Varbiro, Fuensanta Salas Herrero, Nigel J. Willby, Sandra Poikane
Summary: This paper introduces a toolkit of statistical approaches for setting realistic thresholds based on the relationship between nutrients and biota, with recommendations on which method to use depending on the strength of the relationship and the presence of other stressors. Emphasis is placed on the importance of understanding ecological processes, selecting and applying methods correctly, and considering local regulatory and decision-making systems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nick van Kats, Carel Dieperink, Marleen van Rijswick, Lisette de Senerpont Domis
Summary: This paper conducts an ex ante evaluation of the plans for the third iteration of the WFD management cycle in the Netherlands and other EU Member States. The study finds that while the majority of water authorities expect to achieve 50% or more of the WFD objectives by 2027, there are still hindering factors that may prevent the ecological ambitions from being met.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniela Glueck
Summary: Coastal zones are constantly affected by various natural forces such as storms, cliff breaks, waves, and currents. To counter the erosion caused by these events, beach nourishments are often carried out. This study compared the impacts of sand nourishments and storm events on the German Baltic Sea Coast by measuring total suspended solids (TSS) and nutrient concentrations. The results showed that sand nourishments had twice the TSS levels compared to storm events, but the organic content was lower. Additionally, the nutrient uptake varied, indicating that sand nourishment could have a significant influence on the ecology of sand shores compared to storms.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Laura Zoffoli, Pierre Gernez, Laurent Godet, Steef Peters, Simon Oiry, Laurent Barille
Summary: Seagrass meadows are monitored using multi-mission satellite time-series to assess long-term changes, revealing increasing trends in seagrass extent and density since 1985 in Bourgneuf Bay on the French Atlantic coast.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Scaini, Chiara Scaini, Jay Frentress, Georgia Destouni, Stefano Manzoni
Summary: The study found a certain degree of communication among academic, newspaper, and regulatory documents, but a critical gap for communication and understanding between academic research and governance.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisie Karesdotter, Georgia Destouni, Navid Ghajarnia, Gustaf Hugelius, Zahra Kalantari
Summary: Wetlands in the Arctic region cover approximately 25% of the landmass, with 99% of them located in permafrost areas, making them highly vulnerable to future climate change. The study suggests that Arctic wetlands are at risk of significant ecosystem regime shifts, especially under high emission scenarios. The developed wetland and vulnerability maps can help in planning and protecting the most vulnerable areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanna N. Kreplin, Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira, Georgia Destouni, Saskia D. Keesstra, Luca Salvati, Zahra Kalantari
Summary: Arctic wetlands are impacted by warming and hydrological changes, with key factors being permafrost thaw and concurrent hydrological changes leading to shrinkage and expansion of wetland areas. Various factors interact with warming, hydrological changes, and permafrost thaw in altering the Arctic wetland systems, ultimately affecting the global carbon cycle.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Nandita B. Basu, Kimberly J. Van Meter, Danyka K. Byrnes, Philippe Van Cappellen, Roy Brouwer, Brian H. Jacobsen, Jerker Jarsjo, David L. Rudolph, Maria C. Cunha, Natalie Nelson, Ruchi Bhattacharya, Georgia Destouni, Soren Boye Olsen
Summary: Agricultural nitrogen legacies are causing delays in improving water quality, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies to address these issues and ensure better environmental outcomes.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Carla S. S. Ferreira, Samaneh Seifollahi-Aghmiuni, Georgia Destouni, Navid Ghajarnia, Zahra Kalantari
Summary: This paper examines the issue of soil degradation in the European Mediterranean region, highlighting the importance of soil resources and the current challenges they face. Suggestions are made for establishing a soil monitoring system to support decision making and achieve sustainable development goals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Guillaume Vigouroux, Georgia Destouni
Summary: Coastal eutrophication is a significant global issue, including in the Baltic Sea, and effective management responses require a good understanding of the various interacting pressures and impacts. This study reviewed the existing research on Baltic coastal eutrophication and found that there is a focus on pressures and impacts, but less on characterizing the eutrophication itself. Furthermore, research on the interactions between land, coast, and sea is limited.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Imenne Ahlen, Josefin Thorslund, Peter Hamback, Georgia Destouni, Jerker Jarsjo
Summary: This study investigated the differences in water storage dynamics between wetlands within the same wetlandscape. The researchers found that wetlands in different positions exhibit two distinct storage behaviors. Headwater wetlands are able to store excess water to buffer floods, while downstream wetlands experience seasonal low water levels. The study also revealed that headwater wetlands have complex and patchy inundation patterns, while downstream wetlands are characterized by prolonged low-water states.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisie Karesdotter, Georgia Destouni, Navid Ghajarnia, Richard B. Lammers, Zahra Kalantari
Summary: Population growth puts pressure on water resource availability. This study uses a water balance model to quantify the impact of human activities and climate change on different water variables globally. The results show significant variations in the effects of human activities across different regions.
Article
Water Resources
Davood Moshir Panahi, Georgia Destouni, Zahra Kalantari, Bagher Zahabiyoun
Summary: This study examined the decline of wetlands in Iran and found that non-climatic factors, particularly changes in land use and land cover, had a greater impact than climate change. The analysis also revealed that the increase in evapotranspiration and decrease in runoff were the main drivers of wetland decline.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jacopo Cantoni, Zahra Kalantari, Georgia Destouni
Summary: Legacy pollutants are identified as dominant contributors to water pollution in Sweden, including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon. The relationship between legacy concentrations of these pollutants and land use is tested and supported by catchment data. The data-driven approach of this study provides a useful tool for pollution mitigation and should be further tested for other chemicals worldwide.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Y. Ma, Z. Kalantari, G. Destouni
Summary: The climate sensitivity of infectious diseases is widely discussed, but there is a lack of quantitative basis for distinguishing and predicting their disease impacts. This study applies a scoping review approach to Lyme disease and cryptosporidiosis to assess research effort and identify key gaps. The research reveals important gaps in the roles of water-related and socioeconomic factors for Lyme disease, and land-related factors for cryptosporidiosis. Additionally, the interactions between host and parasite communities with climate and other driver-pressure factors are understudied, and there is a lack of research in Asia and Africa for Lyme disease and cryptosporidiosis, respectively.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Ehsan Foroumandi, Hamid Moradkhani, Xavier Sanchez-Vila, Kamini Singha, Andrea Castelletti, Georgia Destouni
Summary: The emergence of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, has attracted significant attention in academic and scientific circles. While ChatGPT holds promise for research and teaching purposes, there are also limitations and potential risks associated with its use. The article suggests that the academic community should adapt regulations and policies to harness the benefits of LLMs while mitigating their pitfalls.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wantong Li, Markus Reichstein, O. Sungmin, Carla May, Georgia Destouni, Mirco Migliavacca, Basil Kraft, Ulrich Weber, Rene Orth
Summary: Drought intensity and duration have increased in many regions recently. However, global understanding of the propagation of drought-induced water deficits through the terrestrial water cycle remains limited. In this study, the authors used machine learning-assisted upscaling of satellite and in-situ observations to analyze the response of evaporation and runoff to soil moisture droughts. They found that evaporation and runoff show contrasting responses in different climate regimes, with runoff strongly reduced in wet regions while evaporation is decoupled from soil moisture decreases and enhanced by sunny and warm weather. In drier regions, evaporation is reduced during droughts due to vegetation water stress, but runoff is largely unchanged due to low precipitation deficits and buffering from decreased evaporation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mahdi Panahi, Khabat Khosravi, Fatemeh Rezaie, Carla S. S. Ferreira, Georgia Destouni, Zahra Kalantari
Summary: Flooding is a serious natural hazard that affects human life, property, and the environment. This study developed a deep learning approach for large-scale flood modeling in Sweden, using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and optimized versions combined with the Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) or the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA). The results show high flood susceptibility in certain areas, with aspect being the most influential factor.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel Althoff, Georgia Destouni
Summary: This research demonstrates that the green water flux is generally greater than the blue water flux. Expanding agricultural land and irrigation will result in more blue water being converted into green water, exacerbating the vulnerability of blue water to future climate change. These findings are crucial for guiding land-use planning to balance freshwater needs.