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The emergence of sustainable development as a mainstream issue in the global political agenda defused voices critical of the limits to growth by embracing the discourse of ecological modernization. According to this narrative, environmental problems can and should be dealt with by the promotion of economic growth within existing economic and institutional arrangements. The field of water governance echoed this discourse in the new integration ideas of integrated water resources management, which has gradually become a dominant water management paradigm over the last decades. In the meantime, the western scientific arena has experienced a drastic epistemological shift from mechanicism to complexity. A theoretical basis of complexity underpins the new field of sustainability science, which strives to respond to the challenges associated with retrieving unsustainable patterns through inter- and transdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems. However, water science for governance is slowly mirroring the epistemological implications of complexity, such as the existence of multiple perceptions of nature, the multi-scale organization of living systems, and circular causality as the main type of relationship maintaining this organization. Some research challenges associated with these issues are the following: integrated analysis involving multiple scales and dimensions; mechanisms for quality control over the narratives leading problem-solving; and critical assessments of win-win techno-social fixes. This dissertation attempts to respond to these challenges by offering a complex systems perspective on water resources management that conceptualizes watersheds as social-ecological systems. The research objective is to develop an integrated assessment of the implementation of sustainability objectives in water policies in two semi-arid water basins: the Andarax River basin in Almeria (Spain) and the Tucson basin in Arizona (United States). For this purpose, the disse

The emergence of sustainable development as a mainstream issue in the global political agenda defused voices critical of the limits to growth by embracing the discourse of ecological modernization. According to this narrative, environmental problems can and should be dealt with by the promotion of economic growth within existing economic and institutional arrangements. The field of water governance echoed this discourse in the new integration ideas of integrated water resources management, which has gradually become a dominant water management paradigm over the last decades. In the meantime, the western scientific arena has experienced a drastic epistemological shift from mechanicism to complexity. A theoretical basis of complexity underpins the new field of sustainability science, which strives to respond to the challenges associated with retrieving unsustainable patterns through inter- and transdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems. However, water science for governance is slowly mirroring the epistemological implications of complexity, such as the existence of multiple perceptions of nature, the multi-scale organization of living systems, and circular causality as the main type of relationship maintaining this organization. Some research challenges associated with these issues are the following: integrated analysis involving multiple scales and dimensions; mechanisms for quality control over the narratives leading problem-solving; and critical assessments of win-win techno-social fixes. This dissertation attempts to respond to these challenges by offering a complex systems perspective on water resources management that conceptualizes watersheds as social-ecological systems. The research objective is to develop an integrated assessment of the implementation of sustainability objectives in water policies in two semi-arid water basins: the Andarax River basin in Almeria (Spain) and the Tucson basin in Arizona (United States). For this purpose, the disse

The emergence of sustainable development as a mainstream issue in the global political agenda defused voices critical of the limits to growth by embracing the discourse of ecological modernization. According to this narrative, environmental problems can and should be dealt with by the promotion of economic growth within existing economic and institutional arrangements. The field of water governance echoed this discourse in the new integration ideas of integrated water resources management, which has gradually become a dominant water management paradigm over the last decades. In the meantime, the western scientific arena has experienced a drastic epistemological shift from mechanicism to complexity. A theoretical basis of complexity underpins the new field of sustainability science, which strives to respond to the challenges associated with retrieving unsustainable patterns through inter- and transdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems. However, water science for governance is slowly mirroring the epistemological implications of complexity, such as the existence of multiple perceptions of nature, the multi-scale organization of living systems, and circular causality as the main type of relationship maintaining this organization. Some research challenges associated with these issues are the following: integrated analysis involving multiple scales and dimensions; mechanisms for quality control over the narratives leading problem-solving; and critical assessments of win-win techno-social fixes. This dissertation attempts to respond to these challenges by offering a complex systems perspective on water resources management that conceptualizes watersheds as social-ecological systems. The research objective is to develop an integrated assessment of the implementation of sustainability objectives in water policies in two semi-arid water basins: the Andarax River basin in Almeria (Spain) and the Tucson basin in Arizona (United States). For this purpose, the disse

The emergence of sustainable development as a mainstream issue in the global political agenda defused voices critical of the limits to growth by embracing the discourse of ecological modernization. According to this narrative, environmental problems can and should be dealt with by the promotion of economic growth within existing economic and institutional arrangements. The field of water governance echoed this discourse in the new integration ideas of integrated water resources management, which has gradually become a dominant water management paradigm over the last decades. In the meantime, the western scientific arena has experienced a drastic epistemological shift from mechanicism to complexity. A theoretical basis of complexity underpins the new field of sustainability science, which strives to respond to the challenges associated with retrieving unsustainable patterns through inter- and transdisciplinary research on social-ecological systems. However, water science for governance is slowly mirroring the epistemological implications of complexity, such as the existence of multiple perceptions of nature, the multi-scale organization of living systems, and circular causality as the main type of relationship maintaining this organization. Some research challenges associated with these issues are the following: integrated analysis involving multiple scales and dimensions; mechanisms for quality control over the narratives leading problem-solving; and critical assessments of win-win techno-social fixes. This dissertation attempts to respond to these challenges by offering a complex systems perspective on water resources management that conceptualizes watersheds as social-ecological systems. The research objective is to develop an integrated assessment of the implementation of sustainability objectives in water policies in two semi-arid water basins: the Andarax River basin in Almeria (Spain) and the Tucson basin in Arizona (United States). For this purpose, the disse

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

River basin modeling under complexity requires analytical frameworks capable of dealing with the multiple scales and dimensions of environmental problems as well as uncertainty in the evolution of social systems. Conceptual and methodological developments can now be framed using the wide socio-eco-hydrological approach. We add hierarchy theory into the mix to discuss the conceptualization of river basins as complex, holarchic social-ecological systems. We operationalize the social-ecological systems water metabolism framework in a semiarid watershed in Spain, and add the governance dimension that shapes human-environment reciprocity. To this purpose, we integrate an eco-hydrological model with the societal metabolism accounting scheme for land use, human activity, and water use. We explore four types of interactions: between societal organization and water uses/demands, between ecosystem organization and their water requirements/supplies, between societal metabolism and aquatic ecosystem health, and between water demand and availability. Our results reveal a metabolic pattern of a high mountain rural system striving to face exodus and agricultural land abandonment with a multifunctional economy. Centuries of social ecological evolution shaping waterscapes through traditional water management practices have influenced the eco-hydrological functioning of the basin, enabling adaptation to aridity. We founda marked spatial gradient on water supply, use pattern, and impact on water bodies from the head to the mouth of the basin. Management challenges posed by the European water regulatory framework as a new driver of social-ecological change are highlighted.

Bioprotein (BP) er nyt proteinfodermiddel af høj kvalitet. BP har et højt indhold af nukleinsyebundet nitrogen, og det blev derfor undersøgt hvordan stigende mængder af BP i foderet medførte ændringer i protein og energiomsætningen samt i vandomsætningen. Der blev anvendt 16 minkhanner af farvetypen Scanbrown. Dyrene fik tildelt en af de fire forsøgsdiæter, hvor den ene diæt var en kontroldiæt (M1) uden BP. I de øvrige diæter blev stigende mængder af fiskemel udskiftet med BP således at 20% (2), 40% (M3) og 60% (M4) af den fordøjelige nitrogen kom fra BP. I løbet af minkenes vækstperiode blev der udført 5 balance- og respirationsforsøg. Dyrene var henholdsvis i deres 10. (periode 1), 15. (periode 2), 18. (periode 3), 24. (periode 4) og 29. (periode 5) leveuge ved forsøgets start. Indtaget af foder var sisgnifikant lavere for M4 end for de øvrige diæter. Den tilsyneladende fordøjelighed af nitrogen, fedt, kulhydrat og energi faldt, når foderet blev tilsat stigende mængder af BP. Aflejringen af nitrogen var højest for M3 og lavest for M4, forskellen var dog ikke signifikant (P=0.06). Varmproduktionen var den samme på alle diæter. Energiaflejringen var nul for M4, hvilket var signifikant lavere end de øvrige diæter. Det blev konkluderet, at BP kan udgøre op til 40% af det fordøjelige nitrogen uden at påvirke protein- og energiomsætningen negativt., Bioptotein (BP) is a new high-quality protein source. BP has a high content of nuclei acid nitrogen. The objective of the study was therefore to estimate the effect of increasing dietary content of BP on the energy and protein metabolism in growing mink kits. Sixteen male mink kits of the standard brown genotype were randomly fed one of hte four diets. One of the diets was a control (M1) diet without BP. In the other diets increasing levels of fish meal were replaced with BP so 20% (M2), 40% (M3) and 60% (M4) of the digested nitrogen derived from BP. During the growth period 5 balance and respiration experiments were conducted. The animals were in their respective 10th (period 1), 15th (period 2), 18th (period 3), 24th (period 4) and 29th (period 5) week of life on the first day of the respective balance periods. The intake of feed was significantly lower on M4 than the other diets. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen, fat, carbohydrate and energy decreased when increasing levels of the diet derived from BP. The retention of nitrogen was highest on M3 and lowest on M4, but the difference was non-significant (P=0.06). The heat production was the same on all diets. The retention of energy was zero on M4, which was significantly lower than the other diets. It was concluded that the protein and energy metabolism remained unaffected when up to 40% of the digestible nitrogen derived from BP.

Bioprotein (BP) er nyt proteinfodermiddel af høj kvalitet. BP har et højt indhold af nukleinsyebundet nitrogen, og det blev derfor undersøgt hvordan stigende mængder af BP i foderet medførte ændringer i protein og energiomsætningen samt i vandomsætningen. Der blev anvendt 16 minkhanner af farvetypen Scanbrown. Dyrene fik tildelt en af de fire forsøgsdiæter, hvor den ene diæt var en kontroldiæt (M1) uden BP. I de øvrige diæter blev stigende mængder af fiskemel udskiftet med BP således at 20% (2), 40% (M3) og 60% (M4) af den fordøjelige nitrogen kom fra BP. I løbet af minkenes vækstperiode blev der udført 5 balance- og respirationsforsøg. Dyrene var henholdsvis i deres 10. (periode 1), 15. (periode 2), 18. (periode 3), 24. (periode 4) og 29. (periode 5) leveuge ved forsøgets start. Indtaget af foder var sisgnifikant lavere for M4 end for de øvrige diæter. Den tilsyneladende fordøjelighed af nitrogen, fedt, kulhydrat og energi faldt, når foderet blev tilsat stigende mængder af BP. Aflejringen af nitrogen var højest for M3 og lavest for M4, forskellen var dog ikke signifikant (P=0.06). Varmproduktionen var den samme på alle diæter. Energiaflejringen var nul for M4, hvilket var signifikant lavere end de øvrige diæter. Det blev konkluderet, at BP kan udgøre op til 40% af det fordøjelige nitrogen uden at påvirke protein- og energiomsætningen negativt., Bioptotein (BP) is a new high-quality protein source. BP has a high content of nuclei acid nitrogen. The objective of the study was therefore to estimate the effect of increasing dietary content of BP on the energy and protein metabolism in growing mink kits. Sixteen male mink kits of the standard brown genotype were randomly fed one of hte four diets. One of the diets was a control (M1) diet without BP. In the other diets increasing levels of fish meal were replaced with BP so 20% (M2), 40% (M3) and 60% (M4) of the digested nitrogen derived from BP. During the growth period 5 balance and respiration experiments were conducted. The animals were in their respective 10th (period 1), 15th (period 2), 18th (period 3), 24th (period 4) and 29th (period 5) week of life on the first day of the respective balance periods. The intake of feed was significantly lower on M4 than the other diets. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen, fat, carbohydrate and energy decreased when increasing levels of the diet derived from BP. The retention of nitrogen was highest on M3 and lowest on M4, but the difference was non-significant (P=0.06). The heat production was the same on all diets. The retention of energy was zero on M4, which was significantly lower than the other diets. It was concluded that the protein and energy metabolism remained unaffected when up to 40% of the digestible nitrogen derived from BP.

Over de belangrijke rol van water (de vierde dracht) in de honingbijkolonie, en de schadelijke gevolgen van een eventuele waternood. Water is nodig voor de voeding van het broed na de winterzit, als koelmiddel bij dreigende oververhitting, en om de relatieve vochtigheid in bijenkast en broednest op peil te houden. In zomerse omstandigheden kunnen de waterhaalsters in een bijenvolk (circa 1 procent van de populatie) ongeveer een halve liter water per dag binnenhalen