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New paths for modelling freshwater nature futures
Lilith Kramer1,2,3, Sven Teurlincx1, Brenda Rashleigh4
1Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Sustainability Science
|July 31, 2025
Summary
The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) can improve freshwater ecosystem assessments by integrating diverse human-nature relationships. This approach enhances freshwater modeling and scenario development for societal benefit.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Freshwater ecosystems harbor rich biodiversity and provide vital human benefits.
- These systems face disproportionate threats and are underrepresented in global environmental assessments.
- The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) offers a new approach for environmental assessments by centering human-nature relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the implementation of the NFF for enhanced freshwater ecosystem assessment.
- To translate the NFF's value perspectives (Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, Nature as Culture) to freshwater systems.
- To identify gaps in current freshwater models concerning the NFF and propose solutions.
Main Methods:
- Outlining NFF translation to freshwater systems and defining desirable futures from each perspective.
- Reviewing scenario strategies and current models for freshwater assessment.
- Analyzing how freshwater modeling can align with NFF aims and outcomes.
Main Results:
- The NFF provides a valuable lens for understanding diverse freshwater futures.
- Current freshwater models do not fully capture all NFF aspects.
- Specific methods are suggested to bridge identified gaps in freshwater modeling.
Conclusions:
- Integrating NFF value perspectives can lead to more holistic freshwater modeling and scenario development.
- Improved freshwater assessments using the NFF framework offer significant societal benefits.
- This research provides future directions for advancing freshwater ecosystem management and conservation.
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