Hitting the sweet spot of complexity: Reasons why the development of new custom-tailored models is still warranted and should be encouraged in aquatic sciences

Process-based aquatic ecosystem models are increasingly being developed and used in freshwater ecology and other aquatic sciences, as they are powerful tools to gain a mechanistic understanding of ecological processes and inform policy and decision making in environmental management. Over the last decades, not only have these models increased considerably in number, but also in their degree of complexity, which can improve predictive capacity. Nevertheless, it is also because of the higher degree of complexity of many models of current widespread use, that not all the hypotheses and assumptions upon which they have been built are always met by the relatively simple experiments that characterise fundamental ecological research. This is true for both laboratory experiments and those carried out outdoors, under semi-controlled conditions. Examples of the latter are the mesocosms experiments through which several novel questions are nowadays being addressed. In this article, we present our views on why the development of new custom-tailored aquatic ecosystem models of varying degrees of complexity is still very much warranted and should, therefore, be encouraged despite arguments in favour of always increasing complexity and against the creation of new models that are largely based on previously published ones (‘reinventing the wheel’). Deciding on the right complexity level should be linked to the biological organisation levels that are relevant to the specific research questions, and to how much knowledge on the subject is already available. Spatial and temporal scales are additional factors that a modeller should weigh in when deciding on the complexity of a model. To address these needs in the long term, the modelling community needs to grow. Training a new generation of model developers will not only benefit other scientists to better design future experiments but will also facilitate interdisciplinary research and teamwork, approaches such as ensemble modelling, as well as the communication of science to managers and many other stakeholders.

Lampiran 1A Paper Sediment Characteristics and Wind Induced Sediment Dynamics in Lake Markemeer, the Netherlands, Aquatic Sciences

In 2007/08, a study was undertaken on thesediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer (theNetherlands). Firstly, sediment characteristics were determined at 49 sites in the lake. Parameters such as median grain size and loss on ignition showed a spatial as well as water depth related pattern, indicating wind-induced sediment transport. Highly significant correlations were found between all sediment parameters. Lake Markermeer sediment dynamics were investigated in a sediment trap field survey at two permanent stations in the lake. Sedimentyields, virtually all coming from sediment resuspension, were significantly correlated with average wind speeds,though periods of extreme winds also played a role.Sediment resuspension rates for Lake Markermeer were high, viz. on average ca. 1,000 g m-2 day-1. The highlydynamic nature of Lake Markermeer sediments must bedue to the overall shallowness of the lake, together with itslarge surface area (dynamic ratio = [H(area)]/[averagedepth] = 7.5); wind-induced waves and currents willimpact most of the lake’s sediment bed. Indeed, near-bed currents can easily reach values 10 cm/s. Measurements of the thickness of the settled ‘‘mud’’ layer, as well as 137Csdating, showed that long-term deposition only takes placein the deeper SE area of the lake. Finally, lake sediment dynamics were investigated in preliminary laboratory experiments in a small ‘‘micro-flume’’, applying increasingwater currents onto five Lake Markermeer sediments.Sediment resuspension started off at 0.5–0.7 cm/s andshowed a strongly exponential behaviour with respect to these currents.

Lampiran 1a Pengecekan Turnitin

Pengecekan Turnitin Paper dengan judulSediment Characteristics and Wind Induced Sediment Dynamics in Lake Markemeer, the Netherlands, Aquatic Sciences

Impacts of Psychopharmaceuticals on the Neurodevelopment of Aquatic Wildlife: A Call for Increased Knowledge Exchange across Disciplines to Highlight Implications for Human Health

The global use of psychopharmaceuticals such as antidepressants has been steadily increasing. However, the environmental consequences of increased use are rarely considered by medical professionals. Worldwide monitoring efforts have shown that pharmaceuticals are amongst the multitude of anthropogenic pollutants found in our waterways, where excretion via urine and feces is thought to be the primary mode of pharmaceutical contamination. Despite the lack of clarity surrounding the effects of the unintentional exposure to these chemicals, most notably in babies and in developing fetuses, the US Environmental Protection Agency does not currently regulate any psychopharmaceuticals in drinking water. As the underlying reasons for the increased incidence of mental illness—particularly in young children and adolescents—are poorly understood, the potential effects of unintentional exposure warrant more attention. Thus, although links between environmental contamination and physiological and behavioral changes in wildlife species—most notably in fish—have been used by ecologists and wildlife biologists to drive conservation policy and management practices, we hypothesize that this knowledge may be underutilized by medical professionals. In order to test this hypothesis, we created a hierarchically-organized citation network built around a highly-cited “parent” article to explore connections between aquatic toxicology and medical fields related to neurodevelopment. As suspected, we observed that studies in medical fields such as developmental neuroscience, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry cite very few to no papers in the aquatic sciences. Our results underscore the need for increased transdisciplinary communication and information exchange between the aquatic sciences and medical fields.

Fisherfolk’s Perception of and Attitude to Solid Waste Disposal: Implications for Health, Aquatic Resources, and Sustainable Development

The study explored fisherfolk’s perception and attitude in regard to solid waste disposal and the implications of these for public health, aquatic resources, and sustainable development (SD) in a Ghanaian fishing community. Qualitative data were obtained from 37 purposively targeted participants comprising 34 fisherfolk, an environmental health expert, a water and sanitation expert, and a fisheries and aquatic sciences expert through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed thematically guided by the most significant stories. While the fisherfolk perceived waste as useless and a nuisance, the experts saw it as a nuisance and/or resource. The fisherfolk did not sort their waste in line with best practices, nor were they willing to pay for waste collection services, citing poverty as the main reason. While most fisherfolk disposed of their waste into bins as approved, others did so onto the street, into the drains, lagoon, and sea. While the fisherfolk were aware that indiscriminate waste disposal led to diseases such as malaria and cholera, their perceptions of the effect of the same on aquatic resources were mixed. The fisherfolk’s conception and perception of waste led to attitudes, behaviours, and practices that polluted the environment (air, land, and water resources), resulting in public health challenges, a threat to navigation, fish population, and other biodiversity, which were inimical to livelihoods and sustainable development. The government and municipal authority should collaborate with the experts in environmental health, water and sanitation, fisheries and aquatic sciences, and traditional authorities to sensitise the fisherfolk on the sustainability implications of unapproved solid waste disposal practices to change their attitude for the better. They should also provide more waste disposal infrastructure and enforce the laws to ensure compliance with best practice for sustainable development. The study supports the compatibility and mutuality between Sustainable Development (SDG) 6 on water, sanitation, and hygiene and SDG 14 regarding sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Oyster-Predator Dynamics and Climate Change

Oysters are one of the most important natural resources found in coastal and estuarine areas of Florida, but some Florida oyster populations appear to be declining. One possible driver of oyster population decline is increased mortality from oyster predators, including marine snails. But other environmental factors, such as changes in temperature or salinity, may also affect oysters. This 5-page fact sheet written by Gabrielle Love, Shirley Baker, and Edward V. Camp and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences describes how a changing climate may affect oysters directly but also indirectly by affecting their predators.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa228

Hundred years of Botany at the NWU: contributions towards understanding plant and algae function, diversity and restoration in a changing environment

The Department of Botany on the Potchefstroom Campus (formerly Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) of the North-West University (NWU) had its centenary in 2020. In this paper we celebrate this milestone by giving an overview of the history of the Department at this campus, including its recent establishment and expansion on the NWU Mahikeng Campus (formerly the University of North-West). A brief overview is presented of the advances in teaching and research over the years, and the development and relevance of the important plant collections in the botanical garden, two herbaria and the national diatom collection. The main emphasis of this contribution is, however, a reflection on the advancement and significance of research conducted by various disciplines on plant and algae function, diversity and ecological restoration over the years. The different disciplines in Botany at NWU, from the oldest to the more recent, are Plant Taxonomy, Plant Ecophysiology, Terrestrial Plant Ecology, Aquatic Sciences, Urban and Settlement Ecology, Geoecology, and Proteomics. Different aspects contributing to changes occurring in the environment, such as pollution, land degradation, urbanisation, overexploitation of resources and the subsequent effect of these on plant diversity and function are especially addressed in our current research. The results of our research inter alia led to solutions for problems occurring in the landscape and contribute to the well-being of the people using the land and water by restoring important ecosystem services.