Sarai Pouso

Bio: Sarai Pouso is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ecosystem services & Recreation. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 9 publications receiving 236 citations.

Impacts of multiple stressors on freshwater biota across spatial scales and ecosystems.

Abstract: Climate and land-use change drive a suite of stressors that shape ecosystems and interact to yield complex ecological responses (that is, additive, antagonistic and synergistic effects). We know little about the spatial scales relevant for the outcomes of such interactions and little about effect sizes. These knowledge gaps need to be filled to underpin future land management decisions or climate mitigation interventions for protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems. This study combines data across scales from 33 mesocosm experiments with those from 14 river basins and 22 cross-basin studies in Europe, producing 174 combinations of paired-stressor effects on a biological response variable. Generalized linear models showed that only one of the two stressors had a significant effect in 39% of the analysed cases, 28% of the paired-stressor combinations resulted in additive effects and 33% resulted in interactive (antagonistic, synergistic, opposing or reversal) effects. For lakes, the frequencies of additive and interactive effects were similar for all spatial scales addressed, while for rivers these frequencies increased with scale. Nutrient enrichment was the overriding stressor for lakes, with effects generally exceeding those of secondary stressors. For rivers, the effects of nutrient enrichment were dependent on the specific stressor combination and biological response variable. These results vindicate the traditional focus of lake restoration and management on nutrient stress, while highlighting that river management requires more bespoke management solutions.

Recreational fishers' perceptions and behaviour towards cultural ecosystem services in response to the Nerbioi estuary ecosystem restoration

Abstract: Well-functioning ecosystems hold high values of biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. In 25 years, Nerbioi-Ibaizabal estuary (North Spain) has changed from a highly polluted estuary to one with a moderate/good ecological status, mainly due to the construction of a Waste Water Treatment Plant that has operated in the estuary since 1990. In recent decades, recorded biotic and abiotic parameters show a clear ecological improvement, but the concurrent response of cultural ecosystem services (e.g. recreational fishing) remains unexplored. Recreational fishers' fishing behaviour and perceptions over environmental changes were obtained through a questionnaire and compared with recorded parameters of improvement. Results show a positive correlation between the abiotic ecological recovery and fishers’ behaviour. However, fishers' perceptions on the biotic recovery (e.g. fish abundance) were more negative than those recorded. Despite this, fishers are satisfied with the overall experience of fishing and will probably continue fishing in the estuary. In conclusion, in better functioning estuaries the capacity to deliver cultural services (e.g. recreational fishing) increases. However, getting ecosystem services to the level of appreciation of society requires to be much better communicated.

The capacity of estuary restoration to enhance ecosystem services: System dynamics modelling to simulate recreational fishing benefits

Abstract: Recreational fishing activity has recovered in the Nerbioi estuary (Northern Spain), after water sanitation and environmental improvement. Recreational fishing is important for the local population; therefore, future management measures that could cause changes in the estuary should also consider the impacts on recreational fishing. Our objective was to analyze the effects that future management decisions and unexpected environmental changes, alone or in combination with climate change effects, can produce in recreational fishing in Nerbioi. The current recreational fishing activity was modelled using a System Dynamics Modelling (SDM). Based on those results, seven future scenarios were simulated. Results suggested that the adoption of future management measures to improve the environmental conditions could lead to additional positive changes for recreational fishing, as after water quality improvement, fish stocks will continue to recover, and these better conditions could attract more fishers and increase their satisfaction. Simulation of temporary and unexpected environmental changes resulted in quick estuarine recovery, without dramatic consequences for recreational fishing. In conclusion, analysing future scenarios on cultural ecosystem services such as recreational fishing, using SDM, can produce valuable information for decision making processes, facilitating the selection between environmental management alternatives.

Iconography : The Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptom Scales: a systematic review

Abstract: BACKGROUND Depression, anxiety and somatization are the most common mental disorders in primary care as well as medical specialty populations; each is present in at least 5-10% of patients and frequently comorbid with one another. An efficient means for measuring and monitoring all three conditions would be desirable. METHODS Evidence regarding the psychometric and pragmatic characteristics of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 anxiety and PHQ-15 somatic symptom scales are synthesized from two sources: (1) four multisite cross-sectional studies (three conducted in primary care and one in obstetric-gynecology practices) comprising 9740 patients, and (2) key studies from the literature that have studied these scales. RESULTS The PHQ-9 and its abbreviated eight-item (PHQ-8) and two-item (PHQ-2) versions have good sensitivity and specificity for detecting depressive disorders. Likewise, the GAD-7 and its abbreviated two-item (GAD-2) version have good operating characteristics for detecting generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The optimal cutpoint is > or = 10 on the parent scales (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) and > or = 3 on the ultra-brief versions (PHQ-2 and GAD-2). The PHQ-15 is equal or superior to other brief measures for assessing somatic symptoms and screening for somatoform disorders. Cutpoints of 5, 10 and 15 represent mild, moderate and severe symptom levels on all three scales. Sensitivity to change is well-established for the PHQ-9 and emerging albeit not yet definitive for the GAD-7 and PHQ-15. CONCLUSIONS The PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PHQ-15 are brief well-validated measures for detecting and monitoring depression, anxiety and somatization.

Ecological impacts of run-of-river hydropower plants—Current status and future prospects on the brink of energy transition

Abstract: The general perception of small run-of-river hydropower plants as renewable energy sources with little or no environmental impacts has led to a global proliferation of this hydropower technology. However, such hydropower schemes may alter the natural flow regime and impair the fluvial ecosystem at different trophic levels. This paper presents a global-scale analysis of the major ecological impacts of three main small run-of-river hydropower types: dam-toe, diversion weir, and pondage schemes. This review's main objective is to provide an extensive overview of how changing the natural flow regime due to hydropower operation may affect various aspects of the fluvial ecosystem. Ultimately, it will inform decision-makers in water resources and ecosystem conservation for better planning and management. This review analyses data on ecological impacts from 33 countries in five regions, considering the last forty years' most relevant publications, a total of 146 peer-reviewed publications. The analysis was focused on impacts in biota, water quality, hydrologic alteration, and geomorphology. The results show, notably, the diversion weir and the pondage hydropower schemes are less eco-friendly; the opposite was concluded for the dam-toe hydropower scheme. Although there was conflicting information from different countries and sources, the most common impacts are: water depletion downstream of the diversion, water quality deterioration, loss of longitudinal connectivity, habitat degradation, and simplification of the biota community composition. A set of potential non-structural and structural mitigation measures was recommended to mitigate several ecological impacts such as connectivity loss, fish injuries, and aquatic habitat degradation. Among mitigation measures, environmental flows are fundamental for fluvial ecosystem conservation. The main research gaps and some of the pressing future research needs were highlighted, as well. Finally, interdisciplinary research progress involving different stakeholders is crucial to harmonize conflicting interests and enable the sustainable development of small run-of-river hydropower plants.

International encyclopedia of housing and home

Abstract: Suitable for housing professionals, both academics and practitioners for teaching, discovery, and research needs, this title contains over 500 entries, listed alphabetically, and grouped into seven ...