Integrating the social, hydrological and ecological dimensions of freshwater health: The Freshwater Health Index.

摘要: Abstract Degradation of freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide is a primary cause increasing water insecurity, raising need for integrated solutions to management. While methods characterizing multi-faceted challenges managing abound, tend emphasize either social or ecological dimensions fall short being truly integrative. This paper suggests that management sustainability systems needs consider linkages between human uses, governance. We present conceptualization resources as part an social-ecological system propose set corresponding indicators monitor ecosystem health highlight priorities demonstrate application this new framework —the Freshwater Health Index (FHI) — in Dongjiang River Basin southern China, where stakeholders are addressing multiple conflicting demands. By combining empirical modeled datasets with surveys gauge stakeholders' preferences elicit expert information about governance mechanisms, FHI helps understand status their basin, how manipulated enhance decrease water-related services, well existing resource regime equipped govern these dynamics over time. operationalize approach by recognizing interplay governance, stakeholders, provide.