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Hypoxia and Nutrient Reduction in the Coastal Zone. Advice for Prevention, Remediation and Research

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dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Meryl
dc.contributor.authorHarper, Nicole
dc.contributor.authorChaitovitz, Chuck
dc.contributor.authorDansie, Andrew
dc.contributor.authorDiaz, Robert
dc.contributor.authorHarper, Nicole
dc.contributor.authorHeidemeier, Joachim
dc.contributor.authorJiang, Yihang
dc.contributor.authorKemp, Michael
dc.contributor.authorNaqvi, SWA
dc.contributor.authorNeretin, Lev
dc.contributor.authorRoss, Adrian
dc.contributor.authorSusan, Christian
dc.contributor.authorSchuster Wallace, Corinne
dc.contributor.authorZavadksy, Ivan
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-25T16:48:26Z
dc.date.available2024-08-25T16:48:26Z
dc.date.issued2011-09
dc.descriptionThis work is protected under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works License.
dc.description.abstractReported cases of coastal hypoxia or low oxygen areas have doubled in each of the last four decades, threatening global environment benefits in most of the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) in which GEF supports programs. GEF requested STAP to review the scientific evidence on coastal hypoxia and advise how to address the issue, beyond current actions. This STAP Advisory Document is based on a review of the scientific evidence, and scientific and management expert consultations. It has been reviewed by subject matter experts, the GEF Secretariat, the GEF International Waters Task Force and GEF agencies. STAP concludes that the growing problem of coastal hypoxia requires accelerated GEF attention. Hypoxia is caused by eutrophication, i.e., the overloading of waters with nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon and/or organic matter. Coastal areas are suffering from accelerating nutrient pollution from multiple sources including agriculture and livestock production, sewage and industrial waste, plus additional complex temperature and water exchange impacts from climate change. Nutrient effects on water oxygen levels are exacerbated when local water bodies become stratified and mixing, and thus oxygenation, of layers is prevented. Hypoxia remediation is possible by reducing eutrophication through systematically reducing nutrient pollution from the most significant local sources. Nutrient reduction also brings multiple ecosystem benefits such as improved water quality, biodiversity, healthier fish stocks, aquaculture improvement and fewer algal blooms. The GEF and its development partners have already invested in substantial nutrient reduction efforts, with measurable success in the longer running European projects. To address accelerating coastal hypoxia, GEF and its development partners should urgently increase their support to nutrient reduction projects, building on GEF’s experience and leadership. Coastal hypoxia and its causes are multi-focal area issues. GEF-International Waters is the lead focal area but hypoxia also concerns Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Climate Change and is an issue in which most GEF agencies have a role. This Advisory Document describes the need for integrated approaches and the specific roles for each GEF agency, and for international, national and local governments and industries. Not all cases of coastal hypoxia are amenable to easy remediation. Where hypoxia originates primarily from the combined effects of larger scale ocean circulation events and climate change, local land based interventions will have limited impact. Intervention areas should be selected based on their expected potential for prevention or remediation and progress should be monitored. GEF should establish principles for supporting priority systems in which to test management responses to permanent and seasonal hypoxic systems. Priority should be given to east and south Asia where the largest increase in the number of hypoxic areas is expected. Most of the GEF LME projects in advanced stages of implementation have reported coastal hypoxic areas matching those in the most comprehensive scientific database.1 To assist projects, GEF guidance for International Waters Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programs should include new tools on how to address hypoxia and nutrient reduction. Existing LME projects should examine the current knowledge on coastal hypoxia and establish monitoring, prevention and remediation programs if these are not already underway. To assist new projects, GEF should support the development of a Hypoxia Toolkit, similar to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Toolkit (www.popstoolkit.com), and integrate into the project screening process a hypoxia screening tool that should be made available on the GEF IW:Learn project website. Coastal hypoxia is a complex problem and, although research has made great strides in understanding its causes and remedies, more knowledge is needed to fill critical gaps that impede action. Prevention and remediation of hypoxia must be based on realistic expectations for success. We recommend that GEF agencies develop proposals along with selected targeted research initiatives to fill critical action and knowledge gaps and to guide GEF LME projects, within the overarching framework of global nitrogen cycle disruption.
dc.description.versionPeer Reviewed
dc.identifier.citationSTAP. (2011). Hypoxia and Nutrient Reduction in the Coastal Zone. Advice for Prevention, Remediation and Research. A STAP Advisory Document. Global Environment Facility, Washington, DC.
dc.identifier.otherhttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjM44Ovv5CIAxWeFDQIHb93JFEQFnoECB0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stapgef.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstap%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F05%2FHypoxia-and-Nutrient-Reduction.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3mzaXqJsd_ZXcKSqavW5fs&opi=89978449
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10388/15934
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUNEP
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canadaen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/
dc.subjectHypoxia
dc.subjectNutrient Reduction
dc.subjectCoastal Zone
dc.subjectScientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)
dc.subjectGlobal Environment Facility (GEF)
dc.titleHypoxia and Nutrient Reduction in the Coastal Zone. Advice for Prevention, Remediation and Research
dc.title.alternativeWilliams, Meryl
dc.typeTechnical Report

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