Screening risk areas for sediment and phosphorus losses to improve placement of mitigation measures

Haderslev Dam is a 272 ha lake in southern Denmark with a high recreational value. For decades the lake has been severely eutrophicated due to excessive phosphorus loading. Major point sources were cut off in the early 1990s and an upstream wetland was recreated. However, the ecological quality remains unsatisfactory. In this study we estimate the importance of agriculture on diffuse phosphorus (P) input to the lake by modelling combined with independent estimates for contributions from scattered dwellings not connected to a sewer and from background losses. We apply a newly developed Danish P index to the lake catchment for mapping of risk areas for diffuse phosphorus losses. For risk areas we suggest mitigation measures and estimate the effect of the mitigation measures on the total P loading of the lake as well as the associated costs.

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Habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and the risk of novel infectious disease emergence

Journal of The Royal Society Interface ◽

10.1098/rsif.2018.0403 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (149) ◽

pp. 20180403 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

David A. Wilkinson ◽

Jonathan C. Marshall ◽

Nigel P. French ◽

David T. S. Hayman

Keyword(s):

Habitat Fragmentation ◽

Tropical Forests ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Infectious Agents ◽

Disease Emergence ◽

Zoonotic Infections ◽

Species Area ◽

Risk Areas ◽

Species Area Relationship

The number of microbes on Earth may be 10 30 , exceeding all other diversity. A small number of these can infect people and cause disease. The diversity of parasitic organisms likely correlates with the hosts they live in and the number mammal hosts for zoonotic infections increases with species richness among mammalian orders. Thus, while habitat loss and fragmentation may reduce species diversity, the habitat encroachment by people into species-rich areas may increase the exposure of people to novel infectious agents from wildlife. Here, we present a theoretical framework that exploits the species–area relationship to link the exposure of people to novel infections with habitat biodiversity. We model changes in human exposure to microbes through defined classes of habitat fragmentation and predict that increased habitat division intrinsically increases the hazard from microbes for all modelled biological systems. We apply our model to African tropical forests as an example. Our results suggest that it is possible to identify high-risk areas for the mitigation and surveillance of novel disease emergence and that mitigation measures may reduce this risk while conserving biodiversity.

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Illegal long-line fishing and albatross extinction risk

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605316000818 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 336-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gohar A. Petrossian ◽

Rolf A. de By ◽

Ronald V. Clarke

Keyword(s):

Extinction Risk ◽

Red List ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Bird Conservation ◽

Fishing Activity ◽

Illegal Fishing ◽

Country Level ◽

Long Line ◽

Southern Bluefin Tuna ◽

Risk Areas

AbstractBirds are commonly entangled in long-line fisheries, and increases in long-line fishing activity have consistently caused declines in seabird populations. Environmental criminology would posit that the risk of such declines is greater in the case of illegal long-line fisheries, which are less likely to implement bycatch mitigation measures. To investigate this possibility we examined the overlap between data on illegal fishing and albatross at-sea occurrence ranges. Moderate correlations were found between mean exposure to illegal fishing and the Red List status of albatross species, but none were found between Red List status and total fishing pressure. A second analysis overlaid albatross at-sea occurrence ranges with long-lining data for the member countries of the Convention on Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna to compare the effect of exposure to legal and illegal hooks on Red List status. Lacking a better measure, Country A's hooks were used as a proxy for illegal hooks. Critically Endangered and Endangered species were 12 and 3.4 times more exposed to illegal hooks, respectively, than Near Threatened species, whereas there was no relationship between Red List status and exposure to legal hooks. Country-level analyses confirmed these findings, which provide evidence that illegal long-line fishing poses a particular threat to the survival of albatrosses. The findings suggest that the bird conservation lobby should work closely with fisheries authorities to tackle illegal fishing, and that research should identify the highest risk areas of overlap between illegal fishing and albatross at-sea ranges.

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Development of a Hydrodynamic-Based Flood-Risk Management Tool for Assessing Redistribution of Expected Annual Damages in a Floodplain

Water ◽

10.3390/w13243562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 3562

Author(s):

Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq ◽

Nitin Muttil ◽

Zohreh Rajabi ◽

Maha Hussein ◽

Muhammad Izhar Shah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flood Risk ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Flood Management ◽

Accurate Estimate ◽

Flood Protection ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Management Tool ◽

Before And After ◽

Risk Areas ◽

Risk Visualization

Despite spending ample resources and procedural development in flood management, flood losses are still increasing worldwide. The losses caused by floods and costs incurred on management are two components of expected annual damages (EAD) due to floods. This study introduces a generalized approach for risk-based design where a range of probable floods are considered before and after a flood mitigation measure is implemented. The proposed approach is customized from the ISO Guide 31000 along with additional advantages of flood risk visualization. A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based design of a flood-protection dike is performed to exhibit the risk redistribution. The Chenab River is selected for the existing dike system. Detailed hazard behaviour and societal vulnerability are modelled and visualized for a range of all probable floods before and after the implementation of flood-protection dikes. EAD maps demonstrate the redistribution of induced and residual risks. It can be concluded that GIS-based EAD maps not only facilitate cost-effective solutions but also provide an accurate estimate of residual risks after the mitigation measures are applied. EAD maps also indicate the high-risk areas to facilitate designing secondary measures.

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Efficiency of mitigation measures targeting nutrient losses from agricultural drainage systems: A review

AMBIO ◽

10.1007/s13280-020-01345-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (11) ◽

pp. 1820-1837 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mette Vodder Carstensen ◽

Fatemeh Hashemi ◽

Carl Christian Hoffmann ◽

Dominik Zak ◽

Joachim Audet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Phosphorus ◽

Phosphorus Removal ◽

Free Water ◽

Drainage Water ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Agricultural Drainage ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Buffer Zones ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

Phosphorus Losses

Abstract Diffusive losses of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural areas have detrimental effects on freshwater and marine ecosystems. Mitigation measures treating drainage water before it enters streams hold a high potential for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural areas. To achieve a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges characterising current and new drainage mitigation measures in oceanic and continental climates, we reviewed the nitrate and total phosphorus removal efficiency of: (i) free water surface constructed wetlands, (ii) denitrifying bioreactors, (iii) controlled drainage, (iv) saturated buffer zones and (v) integrated buffer zones. Our data analysis showed that the load of nitrate was substantially reduced by all five drainage mitigation measures, while they mainly acted as sinks of total phosphorus, but occasionally, also as sources. The various factors influencing performance, such as design, runoff characteristics and hydrology, differed in the studies, resulting in large variation in the reported removal efficiencies.

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Gypsum amendment as a means to reduce agricultural phosphorus loading: an economic appraisal

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.6832 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 307-324 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Antti Iho ◽

Marita Laukkanen

Keyword(s):

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Threshold Level ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Phosphorus Loading ◽

Phosphorus Fertilization ◽

Soil Test ◽

Dissolved Phosphorus ◽

Soil Test Phosphorus ◽

Phosphorus Losses

This study analyzes the economic feasibility of gypsum amendment as a means to reduce particulate and dissolved phosphorus loads from arable areas. To this end, an optimization model is developed that includes gypsum amendment as well as matching phosphorus fertilization to crop need and the level of soil phosphorus reserves as phosphorus load mitigation measures, with soil phosphorus reserves measured by soil test phosphorus (STP). The optimal extent of gypsum amendment is then determined simultaneously with optimal fertilization use as a function of field STP level. The results indicate that whether or not gypsum amendment is economically feasible depends on field erosion susceptibility and STP level. When accounting for the costs and benefits to the society on the whole, gypsum treatment suits best to mitigation of phosphorus losses from soils with excessively high phosphorus reserves; once a threshold STP level is reached, gypsum amendment is optimally given up. This threshold level depends on field slope and on society’s willingness to pay for water quality.

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A comparison of three simple approaches to identify critical areas for runoff and dissolved reactive phosphorus losses

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-18-2975-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 2975-2991 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

C. Hahn ◽

V. Prasuhn ◽

C. Stamm ◽

D. G. Milledge ◽

R. Schulin

Keyword(s):

Soil Classification ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Average Risk ◽

Rainfall Runoff ◽

Critical Areas ◽

Modeling Analysis ◽

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Analysis Platform ◽

Phosphorus Losses

Abstract. Diffuse phosphorus (P) losses are the main cause for eutrophication of surface waters in many regions. Implementing mitigation measures on critical source areas (CSAs) is seen to be the most effective way to reduce P losses. Thus, tools are needed that delineate CSAs on the basis of available data. We compared three models based on different approaches and sets of input data: the rainfall-runoff-phosphorus (RRP) model, the dominant runoff processes (DoRP) model, and the Sensitive Catchment Integrated Modeling Analysis Platform (SCIMAP). The RRP model is a parsimonious dynamic model using the topographic index and a binary soil classification to simulate discharge and P losses. The DoRP model distinguishes eight soil classes based on soil and geological maps. It does not account for topography when calculating runoff. SCIMAP assesses runoff risks solely on the basis of topography using the network index. Compared to surface runoff and soil moisture data available from a catchment in Switzerland, the RRP model and SCIMAP made better predictions than the DoRP model, suggesting that in our study area topography was more important for CSA delineation than soil data. Based on the results, we suggest improvements of SCIMAP to enable average risk predictions and the comparison of risk predictions between catchments.

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A comparison of three simple approaches to identify critical areas for runoff and dissolved reactive phosphorus losses

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/hessd-10-14495-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 14495-14534

Author(s):

C. Hahn ◽

V. Prasuhn ◽

C. Stamm ◽

D. G. Milledge ◽

R. Schulin

Keyword(s):

Surface Waters ◽

Soil Classification ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Rainfall Runoff ◽

Critical Areas ◽

Modeling Analysis ◽

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Analysis Platform ◽

Phosphorus Losses

Abstract. Diffuse phosphorus (P) losses are the main cause for eutrophication of surface waters in many regions. Implementing mitigation measures on critical source areas (CSA) is seen to be the most effective way to reduce P-losses. Thus, tools are needed that delineate CSA on the basis of available data. We compared three models based on different approaches and sets of input data: the Rainfall Runoff Phosphorus (RRP) model, the Dominant Runoff Processes (DoRP) model, and the Sensitive Catchment Integrated Modeling Analysis Platform (SCIMAP). The RRP model is a parsimonious dynamic model using the topographic index and a binary soil classification to simulate discharge and P-losses. The DoRP model distinguishes 8 soil classes based on soil and geological maps. It does not account for topography when calculating runoff. SCIMAP assesses runoff risks solely on the basis of topography using the network index. Compared to surface runoff and soil moisture data available from a catchment in Switzerland, the RRP model and SCIMAP made better predictions than the DoRP model, suggesting that in our study area topography was more important for CSA delineation than soil data. The study demonstrates that simple models using readily available data provide very useful information for CSA delineation.

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Geohazard characterization using remote sensing to model flash floods of the Southeast Sinai, Egypt

Interpretation ◽

10.1190/int-2020-0115.1 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-40

Author(s):

Okechukwu Livinus Obiegbu

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Flash Flood ◽

Principal Component ◽

Flash Floods ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Workflow Model ◽

Hazard Map ◽

Srtm Dem ◽

Landsat 7 ◽

Risk Areas

Flash floods have led to disruptions of human activities and the destruction of properties particularly in the Nuweiba region of Southeast Sinai. Despite the arid nature of Sinai, flash floods still pose a great hazard to the region. Using remote sensing characterization, geohazard models were developed to identify flash flood areas, delineate and discriminate morphological features, active channels areas and soil physiography with a view to categorize risk areas exposed to flash floods hazards in a hazard map and proffer measures for mitigation. The characterization was achieved using a workflow model developed from spatial datasets of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM DEM) and the red-green-blue (RGB) composites from Landsat bands 7 ETM+. The data was used to investigate and assess flash flood areas for morphological attributes, watershed basin characterization, generation of false color composite from Landsat 7 ETM+ 7, 4 and 2 RGB bands and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) band from composite of 742 RGB. Multivariate analysis of generated raster layer attributes provided enhancements and attribute discrimination for delineating areas of active flood channels, upslope zones and soil physiography discrimination from their spectral reflectance. The results are presented in an integrated approach of remote sensing with geographic information systems (GIS) and indicates that the soil types and geological units contribute greatly towards activation of these flash floods which is triggered by intense rainstorms. Components of generated map attributes of SRTM DEM, gradient of DEM and Landsat 7 ETM+ composite of 742 bands in GIS were used to generate a hazard map using spatial analysis to depict the nature and scale of issues identified. Due to flash floods vulnerabilities, the study area was classified into stable/low, moderate and high-risk areas. Mitigation measures to control flash floods were proposed to enable adequate preparations to mitigate impending flash flood disasters.

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Costs and Benefits of the Transition to Low-carbon Economyin Russia: Perspectives up to 2050

Voprosy Ekonomiki ◽

10.32609/0042-8736-2014-8-70-91 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 70-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. Bashmakov ◽

A. Myshak

Keyword(s):

Emission Reduction ◽

High Probability ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Costs And Benefits ◽

Ghg Emission ◽

Research Groups ◽

Emissions Mitigation ◽

Very High

This paper investigates costs and benefits associated with low-carbon economic development pathways realization to the mid XXI century. 30 scenarios covering practically all “visions of the future” were developed by several research groups based on scenario assumptions agreed upon in advance. It is shown that with a very high probability Russian energy-related GHG emissions will reach the peak before 2050, which will be at least 11% below the 1990 emission level. The height of the peak depends on portfolio of GHG emissions mitigation measures. Efforts to keep 2050 GHG emissions 25-30% below the 1990 level bring no GDP losses. GDP impact of deep GHG emission reduction - by 50% of the 1990 level - varies from plus 4% to minus 9%. Finally, very deep GHG emission reduction - by 80% - may bring GDP losses of over 10%.

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