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Freshwater biodiversity loss is accelerating globally, but humanity can change this trajectory through actions that enable recovery. To be successful, these actions require coordination and planning at a global scale. The Emergency Recovery Plan for global freshwater biodiversity aims to reduce the risk for freshwater biodiversity loss through six priority actions: (1) accelerate implementation of environmental flows; (2) improve water quality to sustain aquatic life; (3) protect and restore critical habitats; (4) manage exploitation of freshwater species and riverine aggregates; (5) prevent and control nonnative species invasions in freshwater habitats; and (6) safeguard and restore freshwater connectivity. These actions can be implemented using future-proofing approaches that anticipate future risks (e.g., emerging pollutants, new invaders, and synergistic effects) and minimize likely stressors to make conservation of freshwater biodiversity more resilient to climate change and other global environmental challenges. While uncertainty with respect to past observations is not a new concern for freshwater biodiversity, future-proofing has the distinction of accounting for the uncertainty of future conditions that have no historical baseline. The level of uncertainty with respect to future conditions is unprecedented. Future-proofing of the Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity will require anticipating future changes and developing and implementing actions to address those future changes. Here, we showcase future-proofing approaches likely to be successful using local case studies and examples. Ensuring that response options within the Emergency Recovery Plan are future-proofed will provide decision makers with science-informed choices, even in the face of uncertain and potentially new future conditions. We are at an inflection point for global freshwater biodiversity loss; learning from defeats and successes can support improved actions toward a sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of data exchange in transboundary waters' management, there is growing evidence that data exchange is falling short in practice. A possible explanation may be that data exchange occurs where and when it is needed. Needs for data exchange in shared waters, nonetheless, have not been systematically assessed. This paper evaluates data exchange needs in a set of transboundary basins and compares such needs with evidenced levels of data exchange. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to accelerate data exchange by identifying and promoting the exchange of data that respond to palpable need and serve practical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with WCD principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01214.x Byline: Matthew P. McCartney (1), Helen A. Houghton-Carr (2) Keywords: Africa; Agriculture; Development; Trade-off; Wetland; Wise-use Abstract: Abstract Past experience shows that inappropriate agricultural development in wetlands can undermine sustainability and may have profound social and economic repercussions for people dependent on the range of ecosystem services provided by those wetlands. Nonetheless, there is escalating pressure to expand agriculture within wetlands due to increasing population, in conjunction with efforts to increase food security. This paper describes the development of a semi-analytical framework for identifying, organizing and analyzing the complex factors that link people, agriculture and wetland ecosystems - an index of Working Wetland Potential (WWP). The method is based on a form of multi-criteria analysis that integrates biophysical and socio-economic aspects of wetland utilization. The WWP index emerges from the aggregation of two values: the first arising from an appraisal of both the biophysical and socio-economic suitability of using the wetland for agriculture; and the second resulting from an assessment of the possible hazards, in relation to both social welfare and the ecological character of the wetland. Hence, the approach provides a way to explicitly integrate biophysical and social aspects of wetland utilization in a single index to enable an initial assessment of the suitability of using a wetland for agriculture. Results from three contrasting wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa are presented. Author Affiliation: (1)International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2)Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK Article note: e-mail: hahc@ceh.ac.uk.

This paper is about a package of infrastructure investment, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This paper uses a range of theoretical perspectives (buttressed by historical and contemporary evidence) to think about the likely impact of CPEC on economic (especially industrial) growth in Pakistan. The theory includes crowding in of private by public investment, social savings, spillovers and the leading sector, and industrial policy. Theory points to some likely growth promoting effects of CPEC, on corporate logistics, shorter transport routes to China, and greater local production of cement. The impact of CPEC is unlikely to be transformative. There is little evidence that CPEC has improved corporate logistics in Pakistan. CPEC may reduce physical distances for overland trade with China but trade is likely to remain seaborne. CPEC construction activity has generated positive spillovers in local construction employment and cement production but no spillovers in either bitumen or steel production. Pakistan lacks a capable state and commitment to an industrial policy that historically have proved important in leveraging transport infrastructure into domestic industrialisation. The most important reason is that Pakistan is a middle-income country and CPEC is too small to create more than modest economic growth benefits for Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) announced in 2015, is a $60 billion package of Chinese-led investment in roads, railways, energy, and industry. It is part of China's new Eurasia-wide Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The likely impact of CPEC is controversial. Some scholars argue that CPEC will generate prosperity, regional equality and rapid economic growth in Pakistan. Other scholars argue, however, that CPEC will lead to debt and to the economic and political subordination of Pakistan to China. The existing discussion of CPEC has a near exclusive inward-looking focus on Pakistan. Some scholars, mainly from outside of Pakistan, have looked in more detail at China, but principally from an international relations perspective. Missing from all of this discussion is how economic change in China, particularly in western China, will influence the likely economic outcome of the CPEC. This paper makes an effort to begin to fill this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on published literature, we reviewed water-energy-food issues in Lao PDR in the context of a policy shift to more sustainable 'green growth' and significantly increased infrastructure investment resulting from China's Belt and Road Initiative. The BRI provides the prospect for the country to address its infrastructure deficit and transform from a 'land-locked' to a 'land-linked' country. However, great care is needed to ensure that future investments do not result in further environmental degradation and harm to communities. An integrated 'nexus' approach, in which enhanced water management is central, is a prerequisite for more inclusive and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data exchange in transboundary waters is fundamental to advance cooperative water management. Nonetheless, the degree to which data are shared is not well understood. To gauge this degree, an assessment framework was developed and applied in 25 international river basins. The framework captures the degree to which a set of data parameters is exchanged among countries. A reasonable proportion of surveyed basins exchange some data, but the breadth of such exchange is often limited, and not regular. This paper highlights where data exchange can be improved and provides guidance on how indicators used in global assessment frameworks can motivate this improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Inflammatory‐mediated cystoid macular oedema (CMO) is the most common inflammatory‐mediated threat to vision in non‐infectious uveitis (NIU). Corticosteroid therapy is the cornerstone to the management of CMO in NIU. Sustained‐release dexamethasone (DEX) implant devices provide localized therapy. Background: The authors present a series documenting the efficacy of DEX implants for NIU in an Australian cohort. Design: A single centre, retrospective case series patients receiving DEX implants for NIU from 2012 to 2018 in a New South Wales tertiary eye hospital. Participants: Twenty eyes of 17 patients receiving DEX implants for confirmed cases of NIU of varying aetiologies. Methods: Cases from March 2012 and March 2018 were retrospectively selected with follow‐up assessment data recorded and analysed. All patients were seen at 1, 2 and 4 weeks post implant, then monthly. Minimum duration of follow‐up was 32 weeks. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was change in central retinal thickness (CRT) of >20% at two consecutive visits. Secondary outcomes included change in best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure and medication regimens. Results: Ninety‐five percent of patients achieved significant CRT reduction at 4, 8 and 16 weeks (P <.01). Sixty‐one percent demonstrated improved BCVA at week 8 (P <.05). Ninety percent of patients taking systemic corticosteroid therapy at commencement reduced their dose to below 7.5 mg/day. Adverse event frequency was low. Conclusions and Relevance: In keeping with larger studies, the authors suggest that DEX implants may effectively control uveitis refractory to other therapy, while improving BCVA and CRT. In addition, DEX usage has demonstrably reduced systemic steroid burden within the observed cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Matthew P. McCartney At the start of the 21st Century, humankind is struggling with many complex issues related to the management of freshwater resources. A key concern is that over-exploitation, in a world of increasing water stress, will result in environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services beneficial to humankind. 'Ecosystem management' is one approach to managing natural resources, proffered by its advocates as a way of maximising long-term socio-economic benefits, whilst simultaneously conserving ecosystem processes and biodiversity. Despite a large number of impediments to implementation, there is an increasing convergence between the philosophical approach advocated by ecosystem management and the actual management of freshwater resources. This paper explores the concept of ecosystem management, the constraints upon it and the ways in which the principles it espouses are beginning to be incorporated in the practical management of freshwater resources.

Irrigation has been, and will remain, instrumental in addressing water security (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6), food insecurity (SDG 2) and poverty (SDG 1) goals. However, the global context in which irrigation takes place is changing rapidly. A call for healthier and more sustainable food systems is placing new demands on how irrigation is developed and managed. Growing pressures from competing water uses in the domestic and industrial sectors, as well increasing environmental awareness, mean irrigation is increasingly called on to perform better, delivering acceptable returns on investment and simultaneously improving food security, rural livelihoods and nutrition, as well as supporting environmental conservation. Better integration of fisheries (including aquaculture) in irrigation planning, investment and management can contribute to the modernisation of irrigation and the achievement of the multiple objectives that it is called on to deliver. A framework illustrating how fisheries can be better integrated with irrigation, and how the two can complement each other across a range of scales, from scheme to catchment and, ultimately, national level, is presented. Irrigation must change to contribute to multiple sustainable development objectives. Most current modernisation programs tend to focus on enhancing system infrastructure and fail to consider other objectives. Safeguarding and enhancing fisheries (which support food, nutrition and livelihood benefits) provides an entry point for a more desirable form of modernisation, contributing to sustainable agriculture and delivering better outcomes across many objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries both make important contributions to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and wellbeing. Typically, in modern irrigation systems, these components operate independently. Some practices, commonly associated with water use and intensification of crop production can be in direct conflict with and have adverse effects on fisheries. Food security objectives may be compromised if fish are not considered in the design phases of irrigation systems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a framework that can serve as a backdrop to help integrate both sectors in policy discussions and optimise their contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inland fisheries systems do play an important role in supporting many SDG objectives, but these contributions can sometimes be at odds with irrigated agriculture. Using case studies of two globally important river catchments, namely the Lower Mekong and Murray–Darling basins, we highlight the conflicts and opportunities for improved outcomes between irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries. We explore SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as a path to advance our irrigation systems as a means to benefit both agriculture and inland fisheries, preserving biodiversity and enhancing the economic, environmental and social benefits they both provide to people. 2 Irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries both provide important opportunities to improve nutrition, livelihoods and wellbeing. However, interventions intended to increase agricultural productivity can often put these two sectors at odds. We contend that the sustainable development goals can serve as a framework to implement more holistic management to improve agriculture, inland fisheries and the economic, environmental and social benefits they both provide to human wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to explore the synergies and trade-offs between built and natural infrastructure in the Tana River Basin. A simple framework for better understanding the interactions and co-dependencies between water-related built and natural infrastructure was developed. To evaluate the costs and benefits associated with the current built infrastructure, empirical relationships were determined quantifying the links between river flow and ecosystem services. Depending on rainfall, river flow and other factors, the benefits vary from year to year, but a conservative estimate of the average cumulative value of six key waterdependent services (i.e., floodplain grazing, riverbank gardening and recession agriculture, freshwater fisheries, marine and estuarine fisheries, coastal shrimp fisheries and beach nourishment) in the lower basin is USD 152 million per year. The large dams built in the basin have significantly increased overall financial returns by creating new revenue streams (i.e., hydropower and irrigation) and by reducing the adverse impacts of large floods. Overall, average annual revenue has increased to USD 298 million. Nonetheless, the dams have also reduced the benefits that accrue from moderate floods with the greatest losses in the agriculture sector. Although they benefit from increased flood protection, impoverished pastoralists and smallholder farmers lose the most revenue; on average, USD 9.5 million per year. To improve the effectiveness and durability of future development initiatives, policy-makers and decision-makers should: (i) recognize that natural infrastructure in the Tana River Basin represents a national asset, providing valuable services to people living both in, and outside, the basin; (ii) adopt an ecosystem services approach to make clear the synergies and trade-offs between different sectors in different development scenarios; (iii) ensure that environmental and other issues associated with human well-being, such as equity and social inclusion, are considered in decisionmaking; and (iv) plan and manage natural and built infrastructure in tandem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]