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Eutrophication, Research and Management History of the Shallow Ypacaraí Lake (Paraguay)

Author

Listed:
  • Gregorio Alejandro López Moreira M.

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy
    Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Institute of Biology, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin (FUB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
    Centre for Appropriate Technology (CTA), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCYT), “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” Catholic University (UCNSA), 1366 Asunción, Paraguay)

  • Luigi Hinegk

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Andrea Salvadore

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Guido Zolezzi

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Franz Hölker

    (Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany
    Institute of Biology, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin (FUB), 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Roger Arturo Monte Domecq S.

    (Centre for Appropriate Technology (CTA), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCYT), “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” Catholic University (UCNSA), 1366 Asunción, Paraguay
    Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Martina Bocci

    (Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy)

  • Sebastiano Carrer

    (Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy)

  • Luca De Nat

    (Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy)

  • Juan Escribá

    (INYMA Consult S.R.L., 1580 Asunción, Paraguay)

  • Carmen Escribá

    (INYMA Consult S.R.L., 1580 Asunción, Paraguay)

  • Gilberto Antonio Benítez

    (Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Claudia Raquel Ávalos

    (Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Inocencia Peralta

    (Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Mario Insaurralde

    (Department of Fishing and Aquaculture, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Fátima Mereles

    (Department of Botany, Faculty of Chemical Sciences (FCQ), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Jean Michel Sekatcheff

    (Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Andrés Wehrle

    (Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Juan Francisco Facetti-Masulli

    (Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Juan Francisco Facetti

    (Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay)

  • Marco Toffolon

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy)

Abstract

Ypacaraí Lake is the most renowned lake in landlocked Paraguay and a major source of drinking and irrigation water for neighbouring towns. Beyond its socioeconomic and cultural significance, it has great ecological importance, supporting a rich biodiversity. Rapid growth of human presence and activities within its basin has led to its environmental degradation, a heartfelt matter of high political concern that compels intervention. Here, by reconstructing the history of scientific and management-oriented research on this system, we provide a comprehensive assessment of current knowledge and practice to which we contribute our recent, novel findings. An upward trend in total phosphorus concentration confirms ongoing eutrophication of an already eutrophic system, evidenced by consistently high values of trophic state indices. Downward trends in water transparency and chlorophyll-a concentration support the hypothesis that primary production in this lake is fundamentally light limited. Statistical and other analyses suggest high sensitivity of the system to hydraulic, hydro-morphological and hydro-meteorological alterations arising, respectively, from engineering interventions, land use and climate change. By discussing knowledge gaps, opportunities for research and challenges for management and restoration, we argue that this case is of high scientific value and that its study can advance theoretical understanding of shallow subtropical lakes.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregorio Alejandro López Moreira M. & Luigi Hinegk & Andrea Salvadore & Guido Zolezzi & Franz Hölker & Roger Arturo Monte Domecq S. & Martina Bocci & Sebastiano Carrer & Luca De Nat & Juan Escribá & C, 2018. "Eutrophication, Research and Management History of the Shallow Ypacaraí Lake (Paraguay)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-32, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2426-:d:157472
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Julián Benitez & Roger Domecq, 2014. "Analysis of meteorological drought episodes in Paraguay," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 127(1), pages 15-25, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia Elgoibar & Elio Shijaku, 2022. "Bringing the Social Back into Sustainability: Why Integrative Negotiation Matters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Joanna Sender & Danuta Urban & Monika Różańska-Boczula & Antoni Grzywna, 2021. "Long-Term Changes in Floristic Diversity as an Effect of Transforming the Lake into a Retention Reservoir," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Janine Brandão de Farias Mesquita & Iran Eduardo Lima Neto, 2022. "Coupling Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Models for Assessing the Impact of Water Pollution on Lake Evaporation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.

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