Ecological and socioeconomic thresholds as a basis for defining adaptive management triggers in Latvian pond aquaculture

No. lzp-2021/1-0247

Project Final Scientific Report

ESG guidance

Learning environment

Project manager: Professor Artūrs Škute

Project summary:

The central idea of the project was developed based on the results of our previous research project “Pond aquaculture production and ecosystem service innovative research with modelling of the climate impact to tackle horizontal challenges and improve aquaculture sustainability governance in Latvia“. Since sudden changes, known as threshold crossing, can be caused by one or more interactive disturbances, such as land use activities and climate change, pond aquaculture research includes not only the study of aquaculture practices but also the horizontal integration of socio-economic triggers. In line with the Threshold Concept used in our study, interdisciplinary research in aquaculture and socio-economics will be conducted simultaneously, including innovative research on aquaculture practices, new methods for early identification of bioinvasions in pond aquaculture, and threshold and transition state modelling (SPM) in ecological and socio-ecological systems. New knowledge will be gained on the development prospects of pond aquaculture ecosystem services and environmental, socio-economic and ecological sustainability in Latvia. Several activities are planned to disseminate the scientific results and practical solutions of the project: 9 publications (SCOPUS, WoSCC), 6 research and development project applications, 6 scientific conferences, a methodology for early identification of bioinvasions (eDNA) in pond aquaculture, and 3 State and Transition Models (SPM), etc.

Project implementation period: 36 months (from January 3, 2022 to December 30, 2024)

Project funding: EUR 299,999.70