Causal chain analyses will be an essential tool used to identify and better understand the causal chains between perceived problems and their societal root causes.

• Causal chains
  How to analyze them, what to learn from them.
  

The GIWA causal chain analyses will cluster into five major problem areas of concern for the aquatic environment. Initially, 22 issues have been identified. The conditions in each area will determine which issues that will be considered relevant to address in that particular area:

Freshwater shortage

• Modification of stream flow
  
• Pollution of existing supplies
  
• Changes in the water table
  

Pollution

• Microbiological
  
• Eutrophication
  
• Chemical
  
• Suspended solids
  
• Solid wastes
  
• Thermal
  
• Radio nuclide
  
• Spills
  

Habitat and community modification

• Loss of ecosystems
  
• Modification of ecosystems or ecotones, including community structure and/or species composition
  

Unsustainable exploitation of fisheries and other living resources

• Over-exploitation
  
• Excessive by-catch and discards
  
• Destructive fishing practices
  
• Decreased viability of stock through pollution and disease
  
• Impact on biological and genetic diversity
  

Global change

• Changes in hydrological cycle
  
• Sea level change
  
• Increased uv-b radiation as a result of ozone depletion
  
• Changes in ocean CO2 source/sink function