Scientific Results

This catalogue is obtained by conducting a systematic literature review of scientific studies and reviews related to monitoring, forecasting, and simulating the inland water cycle. The analysis maps scientific expertise across research groups and classifies findings by the type of inland water studied, application focus, and geographical scope. A gap analysis will identify missing research areas and assess their relevance to policymaking.

ID â–Č Type Year Authors Title Venue/Journal DOI Research type Water System Technical Focus Abstract Link with Projects Link with Tools Related policies ID
publications-2761 Peer reviewed articles 2019 Joshua Jones, Luca Börger, Jeroen Tummers, Peter Jones, Martyn Lucas, Jim Kerr, Paul Kemp, Simone Bizzi, Sofia Consuegra, Lucio Marcello, Andrew Vowles, Barbara Belletti, Eric Verspoor, Wouter Van de Bund, Peter Gough, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz A comprehensive assessment of stream fragmentation in Great Britain Science of The Total Environment 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.125 Data Management & Analytics River Basins No abstract available 689682
publications-2762 Peer reviewed articles 2017 Laura Clusa, Alba Ardura, Sara FernĂĄndez, AgustĂ­n A. Roca, Eva GarcĂ­a-VĂĄzquez An extremely sensitive nested PCR-RFLP mitochondrial marker for detection and identification of salmonids in eDNA from water samples PeerJ 10.7717/peerj.3045 Data Management & Analytics River Basins BackgroundSalmonids are native from the North Hemisphere but have been introduced for aquaculture and sport fishing in the South Hemisphere and inhabit most rivers and lakes in temperate and cold regions worldwide. Five species are included in the Global Invasive Species Database: rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss, Atlantic salmonSalmo salar, brown troutSalmo trutta, brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis, and lake troutSalvelinus namaycush. In contrast, other salmonids are endangered in their native settings.MethodsHere we have developed a method to identify salmonid species directly from water samples, focusing on the Iberian Peninsula as a case study. We have designed nested Salmonidae-specific primers within the 16S rDNA region. From these primers and a PCR-RFLP procedure the target species can be unequivocally identified from DNA extracted from water samples.ResultsThe method was validated in aquarium experiments and in the field with water from watersheds with known salmonid populations. Finally, the method was applied to obtain a global view of the Salmonidae community in NalĂłn River (north coast of Spain).DiscussionThis new powerful, very sensitive (identifying the species down to 10 pg DNA/ml water) and economical tool can be applied for monitoring the presence of salmonids in a variety of situations, from checking upstream colonization after removal of river barriers to monitoring potential escapes from fish farms. 689682
publications-2763 Peer reviewed articles 2018 Sara Fernandez, Miguel M. Sandin, Paul G. Beaulieu, Laura Clusa, Jose L. Martinez, Alba Ardura, Eva García-Vázquez Environmental DNA for freshwater fish monitoring: insights for conservation within a protected area PeerJ 10.7717/peerj.4486 Data Management & Analytics River Basins BackgroundMany fish species have been introduced in wild ecosystems around the world to provide food or leisure, deliberately or from farm escapes. Some of those introductions have had large ecological effects. The north American native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykissWalbaum, 1792) is one of the most widely farmed fish species in the world. It was first introduced in Spain in the late 19th century for sport fishing (Elvira 1995) and nowadays is used there for both fishing and aquaculture. On the other hand, the European native brown trout (Salmo truttaL.) is catalogued as vulnerable in Spain. Detecting native and invasive fish populations in ecosystem monitoring is crucial, but it may be difficult from conventional sampling methods such as electrofishing. These techniques encompass some mortality, thus are not adequate for some ecosystems as the case of protected areas. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a sensitive and non-invasive method that can be especially useful for rare and low-density species detection and inventory in water bodies.MethodsIn this study we employed two eDNA based methods (qPCR and nested PCR-RFLP) to detect salmonid species from mountain streams within a protected area, The Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park of Redes (Upper Nalón Basin, Asturias, Northern Spain), where brown trout is the only native salmonid. We also measured some habitat variables to see how appropriate for salmonids the area is. The sampling area is located upstream impassable dams and contains one rainbow trout fish farm.ResultsEmploying qPCR methodology, brown trout eDNA was detected in all the nine sampling sites surveyed, while nested PCR-RFLP method failed to detect it in two sampling points. Rainbow trout eDNA was detected with both techniques at all sites in the Nalón River’ (n1, n2 and n3). Salmonid habitat units and water quality were high from the area studied.DiscussionIn this study, a high quantity of rainbow trout eDNA was found upstream and downstream of a fish farm located inside a Biosphere Reserve. Unreported escapes from the fish farm are a likely explanation of these results. Since salmonid habitat is abundant and the water quality high, the establishment of rainbow trout populations would be favored should escapes occur. Environmental DNA has here proved to be a valuable tool for species detection in freshwater environments, and the probe-based qPCR highly sensitive technique for detection of scarce species. We would recommend this method for routine monitoring and early detection of introduced species within natural reserves. 689682
publications-2764 Peer reviewed articles 2019 Chloe Victoria Robinson, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Matteo Rolla, Sofia Consuegra Monitoring the eradication of the highly invasive topmouth gudgeon ( Pseudorasbora parva ) using a novel eDNA assay Environmental DNA 10.1002/edn3.12 Data Management & Analytics River Basins AbstractAquatic invasive species (AIS) represent an important threat for Biodiversity and are one of the factors determining the ecological integrity of water bodies under the Water Framework Directive. Eradication is one of the most effective tools for the management of invasive species but has important economic and ecological trade‐offs and its success needs to be carefully monitored. We assessed the eradication success of the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), an invasive fish that poses significant risks to endemic aquatic fauna, in four ponds previously treated with the piscicide Rotenone using a novel qPCR‐based environmental DNA (eDNA) assay. We validated the assay through successfully detecting DNA from topmouth gudgeon in two reservoirs with physically confirmed topmouth gudgeon populations. Topmouth gudgeon were detected in all four treated ponds using 750 ml water samples and in three of the ponds using 15 ml samples, despite the eradication treatment and lack of successful detection using conventional trapping methods. Our results highlight the difficulties of eradicating invasive fish and the need to incorporate reliable monitoring methods as part of a risk management strategy under the water framework directive (WFD). 689682
publications-2765 Peer reviewed articles 2019 Kim Birnie‐Gauvin, Paul Franklin, Martin Wilkes, Kim Aarestrup Moving beyond fitting fish into equations: Progressing the fish passage debate in the Anthropocene Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 10.1002/aqc.2946 Data Management & Analytics River Basins Abstract Realization of the importance of fish passage for migratory species has led to the development of innovative and creative solutions (‘fishways’) to mitigate the effects of artificial barriers in freshwater systems in the last few decades. In many instances, however, the first move has been to attempt to engineer a solution to the problem, thus attempting to ‘fit fish into an equation’. These fishways are often derived from designs targeting salmonids in the Northern Hemisphere. They are rarely adequate, even for these strong‐swimming fish, and certainly appear to be unsuitable for most other species, not least for those of tropical regions. Fishway design criteria do not adequately account for natural variation among individuals, populations and species. Moreover, engineered solutions cannot reinstate the natural habitat and geomorphological properties of the river, objectives that have been largely ignored. This article discusses the most prominent issues with the current management and conservation of freshwater ecosystems as it pertains to fish passage. It is not intended as a review on fish passage, but rather a perspective on the issues related to fishways, as seen by practitioners. 689682
publications-2766 Peer reviewed articles 2019 Chloe Victoria Robinson, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Sofia Consuegra Effect of artificial barriers on the distribution of the invasive signal crayfish and Chinese mitten crab Scientific Reports 10.1038/s41598-019-43570-3 Control Systems Uncategorized AbstractThe role of river obstacles in preventing or facilitating the dispersal and establishment of aquatic invasive species is controversial. Novel detection tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used for monitoring aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as the American signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), providing information on the effect of barriers on their distribution. We analysed eDNA from both water and surface sediment in three river catchments (Medway, Dee and Stour; Great Britain), with differing levels of connectivity, to determine spatial distribution of the two species, and assessed the effect of barriers on their eDNA detection. Positive eDNA detections were obtained within confirmed sites for both species in all catchments, with evidence of species overlap in the River Medway. Upstream barriers in the Medway positively influenced detection success of mitten crab lower in the catchment while detection success of signal crayfish was higher in the highly fragmented catchment (River Medway). This information on the role of river barriers on AIS distribution and eDNA detection is important for management strategies and for predicting both future dispersal and likelihood of new colonisations in previously uninvaded fragmented catchments. 689682
publications-2767 Peer reviewed articles 2018 Jeroen S. Tummers, James R. Kerr, Pat O'Brien, Paul Kemp, Martyn C. Lucas Enhancing the upstream passage of river lamprey at a microhydropower installation using horizontally-mounted studded tiles Ecological Engineering 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2018.10.015 Data Management & Analytics Uncategorized No abstract available 689682
publications-2768 Peer reviewed articles 2019 Angus J. Lothian, Chris J. Gardner, Toby Hull, Daniel Griffiths, Eleanor R. Dickinson, Martyn C. Lucas Passage performance and behaviour of wild and stocked cyprinid fish at a sloping weir with a Low Cost Baffle fishway Ecological Engineering 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.02.006 VR & AR Uncategorized No abstract available 689682
publications-2769 Peer reviewed articles 2017 Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk, Jahir Orozco, Arben Merkoçi Paper strip-embedded graphene quantum dots: a screening device with a smartphone readout Scientific Reports 10.1038/s41598-017-01134-3 VR & AR Uncategorized AbstractSimple, inexpensive and rapid sensing systems are very demanded for a myriad of uses. Intrinsic properties of emerging paper-based analytical devices have demonstrated considerable potential to fulfill such demand. This work reports an easy-to-use, low cost, and disposable paper-based sensing device for rapid chemical screening with a smartphone readout. The device comprises luminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) sensing probes embedded into a nitrocellulose matrix where the resonance energy transfer phenomenon seems to be the sensing mechanism. The GQDs probes were synthesized from citric acid by a pyrolysis procedure, further physisorbed and confined into small wax-traced spots on the nitrocellulose substrate. The GQDs were excited by an UV LED, this, is powered by a smartphone used as both; energy source and imaging capture. The LED was contained within a 3D-printed dark chamber that isolates the paper platform from external light fluctuations leading to highly reproducible data. The cellulose-based device was proven as a promising screening tool for phenols and polyphenols in environmental and food samples, respectively. It opens up new opportunities for simple and fast screening of organic compounds and offers numerous possibilities for versatile applications. It can be especially useful in remote settings where sophisticated instrumentation is not always available. 689341
publications-2770 Peer reviewed articles 2017 Alessandro Farinelli, Masoume M. Raeissi, Nicolo’ Marchi, Nathan Brooks, Paul Scerri Interacting with team oriented plans in multi-robot systems Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 10.1007/s10458-016-9344-6 VR & AR Uncategorized No abstract available 689341