DOI: 10.3897/rio.12.e193918

Authors: Erica Zaja, Will Brownlie, Rajabu Hamisi, Maja Arsic, Adelaide Asante, Hilary Barraclough, André Bationo, Martin Blackwell, Dana Cordell, James Elser, Oluwole Fatunbi, Kwame Frimpong, Elise Gallois, Enam Gbekor, Kailyn Harris-Gilliam, Philip Haygarth, Ludwig Hermann, Kenneth Irvine, Issy Lewis, Ning Liu, Vincent Logah, Kaushik Majumdar, Muneta Grace Manzeke-Kangara, Eric Mensah, Malika Mezeli, Michael Miyittah, Innocent Muhwezi, Frederick Otu-Larbi, Richard Padi, Kasper Reitzel, Seth Robinson, Collins Tay, Francis Tetteh, Louis Tetteh, Shamie Zingore, Bryan Spears

Abstract: Phosphorus sustains global food production and is, therefore, of crucial importance to human nutrition and health. However, its mismanagement can lead to water pollution and environmental degradation in addition to low crop yields. In many parts of sub-saharan Africa, phosphorus deficiency constrains agricultural productivity and exacerbates food insecurity. Despite these challenges, phosphorus remains a fragmented topic in global and African policy. To address these issues, the 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit (SPS8) was convened in Africa for the first time. SPS8 took place in Accra, Ghana, between 30th September and 3rd October 2025. The Summit was an international collaboration, with co-conveners from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Ghana, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology West Africa Office, Lancaster University and Rothamsted Research. In this paper, we give a detailed overview of the key messages and insights that emerged from highlight talks, lectures, working groups and field trips. We also discuss and reflect on the challenges of delivering an inclusive summit, from designing solutions to benefit-sharing. SPS8 demonstrates that inclusive, cross-sector knowledge-exchange events are crucial to support and enable phosphorus sustainability on the continent of Africa and globally and to enable the next generation of interdisciplinary phosphorus researchers.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e177889

Authors: Serena Rasconi, Ana Gavrilović

Abstract: Abstracts of talks presented at ParAqua Grantees Conference held in Zagreb (Croatia), 1-2 September 2025

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.11.e176476

Authors: Tina Heger, Stella Berger, Jonathan Jeschke, Chris Kittel, Peter Kraker, A. Makower, Daniel Mietchen, Jens Nejstgaard, Maxi Schramm

Abstract: Water is vital for life on Earth, but aquatic environments worldwide are facing critical challenges that cause severe problems for biodiversity and human well-being. These challenges include, for example, water pollution, habitat degradation, escalating water and air temperatures, salinisation of freshwaters, ocean acidification and invasive species. Since these stressors interact in complex ways, developing predictions and mitigation measures is difficult. Mesocosm experiments, offering controlled, yet realistic settings, are crucial for understanding and mitigating the impact of various stressors and their combinations on aquatic ecosystems. Mesocom facilities are key Research Infrastructures (RI), as they bridge the gap between laboratory experiments and natural systems allowing studies of highly complex environments comparable to natural ecosystems, while still offering controlled and replicated settings not available in natural systems.The AQUACOSM-RI consortium, comprising over 60 individual state-of-the-art mesocosm facilities at 28 host institutions across Europe, has therefore been instrumental in advancing aquatic environmental research across climate zones including marine, brackish and freshwater ecosystems. In addition, the EU H2020-INFRAIA projects AQUACOSM (CORDIS No. 731065) and AQUACOSM-plus (CORDIS No. 871081, www.aquacosm.eu) have developed a virtual network beyond Europe of presently > 85 host institutions with > 120 aquatic mesocosm facilities around the world, www.mesocosm.org. However, the rich, yet disconnected resources in aquatic mesocosm-based experimental research and mitigation approaches need to be combined in a modern, visible and accessible way.The project AQUANAVI (Navigating Grand Challenges and their Mitigation using Aquatic Experimental RIs) aims to enhance existing efforts by creating an interactive atlas of aquatic mesocosm facilities and related mesocosm-based experimental research. Integrating data, publications, reports and information on mesocosm facility capacities generated by the AQUACOSM consortium and other mesocosm facilities in Europe and beyond, AQUANAVI will facilitate fast discovery of resources and unused potentials of available mesocosm facilities in a modern, visible and accessible way that is presently not available. Such a multidimensional tool is expected to enable novel collaborations and a much faster setup and execution of connected and/or distributed experiments and efficient development of environmental mitigation strategies. Built upon the AQUACOSM-RIs and their encompassing data and information repository as well as scientific and technical competence, while also leveraging related infrastructures like AnaEE, EMBRC, JERICO-RI and eLTER, AQUANAVI will provide a comprehensive resource platform to more effectively explore available resources for aquatic experimental research.AQUANAVI will bridge this wealth of scientific data, expertise and mesocosm facility information through Hi Knowledge, an innovative analysis and visualisation platform that merges Wikidata, Open Knowledge Maps,and Scholia. Hi Knowledge harnesses the semantic capabilities of Wikidata to rapidly construct a FAIR and open corpus for a domain, based on a sophisticated conceptual classification system. Subsequently, Hi Knowledge incorporates visualisation components from Open Knowledge Maps and Scholia, allowing researchers to smoothly navigate information using cutting-edge visualisation techniques, artificial intelligence and knowledge synthesis methods.Open and collaborative by design, AQUANAVI’s architecture will engage a broad range of research communities. By consolidating data and information from diverse RIs, the platform will leverage and enhance the AQUACOSM and related research infrastructures, securing the reusability and interoperability of existing data collections and better exploration of existing RIs in the future. Compliant with FAIR principles and EOSC requirements, AQUANAVI will ensure the long-term sustainability and openness of its resources, enriching both the ENVRI services portfolio and the broader scientific community. In summary, AQUANAVI will empower researchers and stakeholders to implement measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and other Grand Challenges facing aquatic environments, serving as a key resource within and beyond the European research area.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.11.e176120

Authors: Christos Arvanitidis, Olga Ameixa, Alberto Basset, Eva Chatzinikolaou, Claudia Coman, Berta Companys, Francesco De Leo, Klaas Deneudt, Federico Drago, John Eriksson, Tiziana Ferrari, Teodor Georgiev, Giovanni Giuliano, Stefan Gruber, Jens Habermann, Katharina Heil, Tim Hubbard, Cristina Huertas Olivares, Georgios Kotoulas, Dimitris Koureas, Natalia Manola, Vanessa Marrocco, Nicolas Pade, Ana Portugal Melo, Antonello Provenzale, Fotis Psomopoulos, Niels Raes, Susie Robinson, Patrick Ruch, Dick Schaap, Adrian Stanica, Tassos Stavropoulos, Heliana Teixeira, Peter van Tienderen, Costas Tsigenopoulos, Robert Waterhouse, Giuseppe Aprea, Michel Boër, Ana Casino, Laurent Delauney, Jonathan Ewbank, Ana Lillebø, Michael Mirtl, Jana Pavlic-Zupanc, Lyubomir Penev, Jaume Piera, Paraskevi Pitta, Ingrid Puillat, David Richter, Diana Stepanyan, Anton Ussi, Jan Węsławski, Gabriela Zuquim

Abstract: The interdependence of human, animal, plant and ecosystem health necessitates systemic, cross-domain collaboration to address global challenges, such as emerging diseases, climate change and biodiversity severe change. Through the Crete Declaration, Europe’s (e-)infrastructures, organisations and projects that focus on the functioning of our biosphere commit to jointly advancing the One Health approach. In doing so, the signatories aim to strengthen Europe’s resilience and leadership through the sharing of data and expertise, the development of innovative solutions and the promotion of evidence-based policies.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e167392

Authors: Anita Franco, Katie Smyth, Michael Elliott

Abstract: Marine biodiversity is adversely affected by many human activities and their pressures. As such, there is the need for a cause-consequence-response method to objectively address the risks associated with those adverse changes. Such a method is the ISO-accredited Bow-tie technique as an objective and structured approach giving the causes, preventative control measures, mitigation and compensation measures and consequences of changes to biodiversity. Here, the Bow-tie method underpinned by the cause-consequence-response DAPSI(W)R(M) framework was used and adapted to help managers map out risks to biodiversity requiring management of the human activities and their relevant pressures, in specific case study areas (termed Broad Belt Transects, BBTs). Instead of using restrictive proprietary software, a more-flexible template framework was developed in Microsoft PowerPoint to allow a broad user base. This employed standardised lists of elements (and further adapted during the application process) allowing the development of unique, but standardised and directly comparable Bow-ties for all BBTs. The methods of developing the template and standardised lists are described together with the techniques used to help quantify this usually qualitative approach. The successful application of the Bow-tie method in case studies from the European seas shows the adaptability of this approach in ways wider than the original policy-driven risk-assessment use. Although designed for European seas, the approach and standardised lists are sufficiently generic for adoption in wider areas worldwide.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e167014

Authors: Dorota Kołbuk, Julie Bremner, Ashley Cahillane, Valentina Di Gennaro, Tasman Crowe

Abstract: In this study we apply the bow-tie risk analysis framework to map the causes and consequences of decline or loss of five key Irish Sea ecosystem components: intertidal sandflats and mudflats, burrowing fauna including Dublin Bay prawn Nephrops norvegicus, blue mussel Mytilus edulis, commercially harvested fish, and wintering waterbirds. Main activities exerting multiple pressures on the Irish Sea ecosystem include energy production from offshore wind farms, tourism and leisure, fishing, transport, agriculture, urban and industrial uses, and waste treatment and disposal. All of them can contribute to decline in condition or loss of critical habitats and biota, leading to significant ecological, economic and sociocultural consequences. Understanding these consequences is essential for designing appropriate management responses. The bow-tie approach allows to identify management risks and highlights the most impactful control points for intervention to prevent or mitigate adverse biodiversity events.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e148125

Authors: Serena Rasconi, Laura Garzoli, Ana Gavrilović

Abstract: Abstracts of talks presented at ParAqua Conference held in Dubrovnik (Croatia), 16-17 April 2024

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e128109

Authors: Anne Lyche Solheim, Benoît O. L. Demars, Marit Mjelde, Jannicke Moe, Andres Marmol-Guijarro, Sophie Mentzel, Jan-Erik Thrane, Jes Rasmussen, Benno Dillinger

Abstract: This report provides a showcase of selected EBVs related to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and possible synergies with other EU policies. The report consists of two major parts: the species level EBV on macrophyte species in Nordic lakes and the community structure EBVs for phytoplankton in lakes and benthic invertebrates in rivers based on their deviation from natural conditions measured by Ecological Quality Ratios (EQR-values). The macrophytes species level part is produced by Benoit Demars at NIVA supported by a number of co-authors, including data providers (see frontpage), while the community structure EBVs based on EQR values are produced by Jannicke Moe, Sophie Mentzel, Jan-Erik Thrane and Anne Lyche Solheim at NIVA. All EIONET data providers of EQR-values reported to WISE-2 are kindly acknowledged.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e99679

Authors: Elena Velado-Alonso, Ignasi Bartomeus, Kira Keini, Suresh Chithathur, Anna Sapundzhieva, Alexandra Korcheva, David Kleijn

Abstract: Communication and dissemination are key elements to maximise SHOWCASE project impact and ensure long‐term effects. For that, an effective communication strategy is essential to convey the principles and best practices to integrate biodiversity in farm management to favour farmers’ livelihoods while promoting conservation in agricultural landscapes. Current discourses around biodiversity, nature conservation and farming are contradictory with each other and not always engaging for SHOWCASE stakeholders. Thus, an inspirational narrative has been developed in the first months of the project by WP4 “Communicating the benefits of agrobiodiversity through multistakeholder knowledge exchange”, task 4.1. SHOWCASE narrative explains in an effective manner 1) why people care about biodiversity; 2) what we can do, and; 3) how we can do it better.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e94590

Authors: Serena Rasconi, Hans-Peter Grossart, Alena Gsell, Bastiaan Willem Ibelings, Dedmer van de Waal, Ramsy Agha, Ariola Bacu, Maija Balode, Meryem Beklioğlu, Maja Berden Zrimec, Florina Botez, Tom Butler, Slawomir Cerbin, Angela Cortina, Michael Cunliffe, Thijs Frenken, Esther Garcés, Laura Gjyli, Yonatan Golan, Tiago Guerra, Ayis Iacovides, Antonio Idà, Maiko Kagami, Veljo Kisand, Jovica Leshoski, Pini Marco, Natasa Mazalica, Takeshi Miki, Maria Iasmina Moza, Sigrid Neuhauser, Deniz Özkundakci, Kristel Panksep, Suzana Patcheva, Branka Pestoric, Maya Petrova Stoyneva, Diogo Pinto, Juergen Polle, Carmen Postolache, Joaquín Pozo Dengra, Albert Reñé, Pavel Rychtecky, Dirk S. Schmeller, Bettina Scholz, Géza Selmeczy, Télesphore Sime-Ngando, Kálmán Tapolczai, Orhideja Tasevska, Ivana Trbojevic, Blagoy Uzunov, Silke Van den Wyngaert, Ellen van Donk, Marieke Vanthoor, Elizabeta Veljanoska Sarafiloska, Susie Wood, Petr Znachor

Abstract: Zoosporic parasites (i.e. fungi and fungi-like aquatic microorganisms) constitute important drivers of natural populations, causing severe host mortality. Economic impacts of parasitic diseases are notable in the microalgae biotech industry, affecting production of food ingredients, biofuels, pharma- and nutraceuticals.While scientific research on this topic is gaining traction by increasing studies elucidating the functional role of zoosporic parasites in natural ecosystems, we are currently lacking integrated and interdisciplinary efforts for effectively detecting and controlling parasites in the microalgae industry. To fill this gap we propose to establish an innovative, dynamic European network connecting scientists, industries and stakeholders to optimize information exchange, equalize access to resources and to develop a joint research agenda. ParAqua aims at compiling and making available all information on the occurrence of zoosporic parasites and their relationship with hosts, elucidate drivers and evaluate impacts of parasitism in natural and man-made aquatic environments. We aim to implement new tools for monitoring and prevention of infections, and to create protocols and a Decision Support Tool for detecting and controlling parasites in the microalgae biotech production. Applied knowledge on zoosporic parasites can feed back from industry to ecology, and we therefore will explore whether the developed tools can be applied for monitoring lakes and reservoirs. Short-Term Scientific Missions and Training Schools will be organised specifically for early stage scientists and managers – with a specific focus on ITC – with the aim to share and integrate both scientific and applied expertise and increase exchange between basic and applied researchers and stakeholders.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.4.e31430

Authors: René Véron, Nishara Fernando, N. C. Narayanan, Bishnu Upreti, Babu Ambat, Ranga Pallawala, Sudarshan Rajbhandari, Swetha Rao Dhananka, Christian Zurbrügg

Abstract: Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become one of the most pressing environmental issues in South Asian cities, the more so as it is closely linked to drinking water quality, sanitation and human health affecting mostly the urban poor, as well as to global climate change. Looking at recent governance initiatives in three South Asian cities developed in the wake of natural or human-induced crises, the project will focus on how to render MSWM improvements politically feasible and socially acceptable, which is a pre-requisites for functioning SWM systems, and thus for (environmental and social) sustainability more generally. The goal of this project, therefore, is to identify, analyze and promote the political and sociocultural processes that are necessary to enable the functioning of MSWM systems. In particular, alternative practices and systems are promoted, whereby institutional hierarchies are decentralized, favoring horizontal accountabilities and whereby waste chains are shortened and transformed into closed loops implying a more circular waste economy in which both environmental and local livelihood benefits would accrue. The project puts emphasis on mutual learning through horizontal South-South partnerships between local authorities, civil society actors and researchers across South Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.4.e23957

Authors: Adam Hambly, Colin Stedmon

Abstract: FluorRAS will develop a sensor that can save recycled fish farms 30% per year in water and energy consumption for water treatment, as well as optimize nitrogen removal. The sensor will be developed in a partnership between engineers (Krüger A / S) and researchers (DTU), and the product will be made available to the entire sector through Danish Aquaculture. Global aquaculture production is expected to double within the next 15 years. Recycling technology has a great potential for supporting environmentally and economically sustainable production. However, the technology has some challenges in balancing both the maintenance of necessary water quality and water treatment costs. Loss of production due to poor water quality is expensive and can be avoided with correct sensor systems. Accumulation of dissolved organic matter and nutrients in the water reduce the effectiveness of UV treatment, is a source of nutrition for opportunistic pathogens, and reduces the effectiveness of the biofilter's removing ammonia. Modern recycling systems are therefore dependent on a network of online sensors that monitor and respond to changes in water quality, but currently there is a need for a sensor to monitor the accumulation of organic matter. FluoRAS aims to fill this gap in technology by developing an online fluorescence sensor. The sensor is based on non-destructive, online optical technology that does not require chemicals and can run continuously.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.2.e11321

Authors: Florian Leese, Florian Altermatt, Agnès Bouchez, Torbjørn Ekrem, Daniel Hering, Kristian Meissner, Patricia Mergen, Jan Pawlowski, Jeremy Piggott, Frédéric Rimet, Dirk Steinke, Pierre Taberlet, Alexander Weigand, Kessy Abarenkov, Pedro Beja, Lieven Bervoets, Snaedís Björnsdóttir, Pieter Boets, Angela Boggero, Atle Bones, Ángel Borja, Kat Bruce, Vojislava Bursić, Jens Carlsson, Fedor Čiampor, Zuzana Čiamporová-Zatovičová, Eric Coissac, Filipe Costa, Marieta Costache, Simon Creer, Zoltán Csabai, Kristy Deiner, Ángel DelValls, Stina Drakare, Sofia Duarte, Tina Eleršek, Stefano Fazi, Cene Fišer, Jean-François Flot, Vera Fonseca, Diego Fontaneto, Michael Grabowski, Wolfram Graf, Jóhannes Guðbrandsson, Micaela Hellström, Yaron Hershkovitz, Peter Hollingsworth, Bella Japoshvili, John Jones, Maria Kahlert, Belma Kalamujic Stroil, Panagiotis Kasapidis, Martyn Kelly, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Emre Keskin, Urmas Kõljalg, Zrinka Ljubešić, Irena Maček, Elvira Mächler, Andrew Mahon, Marketa Marečková, Maja Mejdandzic, Georgina Mircheva, Matteo Montagna, Christian Moritz, Vallo Mulk, Andreja Naumoski, Ion Navodaru, Judit Padisák, Snæbjörn Pálsson, Kristel Panksep, Lyubomir Penev, Adam Petrusek, Martin Pfannkuchen, Craig Primmer, Baruch Rinkevich, Ana Rotter, Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber, Pedro Segurado, Arjen Speksnijder, Pavel Stoev, Malin Strand, Sigitas Šulčius, Per Sundberg, Michael Traugott, Costas Tsigenopoulos, Xavier Turon, Alice Valentini, Berry van der Hoorn, Gábor Várbíró, Marlen Vasquez Hadjilyra, Javier Viguri, Irma Vitonytė, Alfried Vogler, Trude Vrålstad, Wolfgang Wägele, Roman Wenne, Anne Winding, Guy Woodward, Bojana Zegura, Jonas Zimmermann

Abstract: The protection, preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and their functions are of global importance. For European states it became legally binding mainly through the EU-Water Framework Directive (WFD). In order to assess the ecological status of a given water body, aquatic biodiversity data are obtained and compared to a reference water body. The quantified mismatch obtained determines the extent of potential management actions. The current approach to biodiversity assessment is based on morpho-taxonomy. This approach has many drawbacks such as being time consuming, limited in temporal and spatial resolution, and error-prone due to the varying individual taxonomic expertise of the analysts. Novel genomic tools can overcome many of the aforementioned problems and could complement or even replace traditional bioassessment. Yet, a plethora of approaches are independently developed in different institutions, thereby hampering any concerted routine application. The goal of this Action is to nucleate a group of researchers across disciplines with the task to identify gold-standard genomic tools and novel eco-genomic indices for routine application in biodiversity assessments of European fresh- and marine water bodies. Furthermore, DNAqua-Net will provide a platform for training of the next generation of European researchers preparing them for the new technologies. Jointly with water managers, politicians, and other stakeholders, the group will develop a conceptual framework for the standard application of eco-genomic tools as part of legally binding assessments.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.2.e9841

Authors: Dasapta Irawan, Adhi Priyambodho, Cut Rachmi, Dimas Wibowo, Andita Fahmi

Abstract: This paper is an example to visualize bibliometric data to extract paper’s topics and their citation relation. It is very important to evaluate the number of documents, the intensity of the paper’s topic, and the relationship between papers. The output can be used to pinpoint suitable research topic. We began with 246 papers, gathered from Google Scholar, Crossref, and Scopus database. We narrowed them down to 70 papers based on language, relevance, pdf availability, and metadata completeness. Open source tools, Vosviewer, Zotero-PaperMachine plugin, were used to visualize the existing reference database. The following paper gives an illustration that a brief bibliometric analysis could assist a researcher to determine our research path. It gives us a glimpse of research landscape in Jakarta area. Therefore for deeper analysis, we will focus our literature review on groundwater and surface water interactions.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.2.e9232

Authors: Pekka Neittaanmäki, Timo Huttula, Juha Karvanen, Tom Frisk, Jouni Tuomisto, Antti Simola, Tero Tuovinen, Janne Ropponen

Abstract: Open data and models are becoming increasingly available, but there are not yet good methods and platforms to turn those into systematic evidence-based decision support. Unicorn will produce such an enviro­­nment based on existing theoretical and practical knowledge about decision support and models. This con­sortium possesses the necessary models, data, and skills to set up an environment and demonstrate its func­tionality and usefulness with several case studies related to the environmental issues, human health, and economy. The Unicorn environment will be built in a generic and systematic way so that it could even be­come an international standard for evidence-based decision support. Developing a technical environment or standard is not enough. Using the Unicorn environment is a large cul­­tural change for both researchers and decision makers, as the current decision support practices do not re­flect the principles of openness, criticism, or reuse. Therefore, this cultural change must be promoted by train­ing to use the environment, by informing the society about its possibilities, and solving a number of practi­cal and technical problems related to current practices in research institutes, ministries, and municipalities. We acknowledge these problems and offer solutions to them with an extensive interaction plan.

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