| 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.
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
|
