An approach to urban waterway assessment using holistic values and reciprocity
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Current aquatic ecosystem assessment methods and tools often focus on physical, chemical, and biological indicators of ecosystem health. This approach to ecosystem assessment is not always straightforward to execute in urban environments and ignores potential connectivity between social and environmental outcomes. During a workshop at the Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology in Brisbane, Australia in 2023 (SUSE6), we developed an approach to urban aquatic ecosystem assessment that incorporates a holistic perspective. Specifically, our approach considers both environmental (biological, chemical, and physical integrity) and social (community connection, human safety, resource use) values of urban waterways. This approach is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, such as the concept of reciprocity, whereby consideration of both the environment and society leads to a healthy ecosystem. To highlight how this holistic assessment approach could be used, we present real-world examples that included assessing both environmental and societal values informed by reciprocity or balanced perspectives. This approach can be broadly applied and adapted to specific aquatic ecosystem conditions and projects, providing an inclusive, community-centered approach for assessing the health of waterways in urban environments.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | An approach to urban waterway assessment using holistic values and reciprocity |
| Series title | Freshwater Science |
| DOI | 10.1086/738639 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press Journals |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 27 p. |
| First page | 633 |
| Last page | 659 |