The Meta-analysis has increasingly been used to synthesize the ecosystem services literature, with some testing of the use of such analyses to transfer benefits. These are typically based on local primary studies. However, meta-analyses associated with ecosystem services are a potentially powerful tool for transferring benefits, especially for environmental assets for which no primary studies are available. In this study we use the Ecosystem Service Valuation Database (ESVD), which brings together 1350 value estimates from more than 320 studies around the world, to estimate meta-regression functions for Provisioning, Regulating and maintenance, and Cultural ecosystem services across 12 biomes. We tested the reliability of these meta-regression functions and found that even using variables with high explanatory power, transfer errors could still be large. We show that meta-analytic transfer performs better than simple value transfer and, in addition, that local meta-analytical transfer (i.e., based on local explanatory variable values) provides more reliable estimates than global meta-analytical transfer (i.e., based on mean global explanatory variable values). Thus, we conclude that when taking into account the characteristics of the study area under analysis, including explanatory variables such as income, population density, and protection status, we can determine the value of ecosystem services with greater accuracy.

Sea-level rise is a problem increasingly affecting coastal areas worldwide. The existence of free and open-source models to estimate the sea-level impact can contribute to improve coastal management. This study aims to develop and validate two different models to predict the sea-level rise impact supported by Google Earth Engine (GEE)—a cloud-based platform for planetary-scale environmental data analysis. The first model is a Bathtub Model based on the uncertainty of projections of the sea-level rise impact module of TerrSet—Geospatial Monitoring and Modeling System software. The validation process performed in the Rio Grande do Sul coastal plain (S Brazil) resulted in correlations from 0.75 to 1.00. The second model uses the Bruun rule formula implemented in GEE and can determine the coastline retreat of a profile by creatting a simple vector line from topo-bathymetric data. The model shows a very high correlation (0.97) with a classical Bruun rule study performed in the Aveiro coast (NW Portugal). Therefore, the achieved results disclose that the GEE platform is suitable to perform these analysis. The models developed have been openly shared, enabling the continuous improvement of the code by the scientific community.

Vagueira Beach, on the central Portuguese coast, is known as one of the places in Europe most affected by coastal erosion. The area has suffered more than 156 m of coastline retreat from the period 1958 to 2001. With the aim of evaluating the influence of local factors on coastal erosion, this paper assesses the anthropogenic and natural factors that are related to the retreat of the coastline by adopting statistical correlation and regression analyses. Through Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), it was observed that local factors, such as annual dredging at the Aveiro Port entrance (r = 0.93), the total length of groins in the Espinho–Vagueira section (r = 0.89), and storm events (r = 0.52), are directly related to coastline retreat in the area. A multiple linear regression model was developed in which coastline retreat is explained by these same factors over the period 1980–2006. With a coefficient determination of R² = 0.91, it was observed that the length of groins (significant at the 1% level), the dredging of the port entrance (significant at the 5% level), and precipitation (as a proxy for storm events; significant at the 10% level) are significantly correlated with coastline retreat. Hence, it is shown that anthropogenic factors are the main drivers of coastline retreat in Vagueira Beach. This study provides an innovative approach for the assessment of coastal erosion, resulting in important information that could be used for decision-making related to coastal zone management as it allows us to understand in greater detail the main drivers of coastal erosion.

Sea-level rise is a problem increasingly affecting coastal areas worldwide. The existence 15 of Free and Open-Source Models to estimate the sea-level impact can contribute to better coastal 16 management. This study aims to develop and to validate two different models to predict the 17 sea-level rise impact supported by Google Earth Engine (GEE) – a cloud-based platform for plan-18 etary-scale environmental data analysis. The first model is a Bathtub Model based on the uncer-19 tainty of projections of the Sea-level Rise Impact Module of TerrSet - Geospatial Monitoring and 20 Modeling System software. The validation process performed in the Rio Grande do Sul coastal 21 plain (S Brazil) resulted in correlations from 0.75 to 1.00. The second model uses Bruun Rule for-22 mula implemented in GEE and is capable to determine the coastline retreat of a profile through the 23 creation of a simple vector line from topo-bathymetric data. The model shows a very high correla-24 tion (0.97) with a classical Bruun Rule study performed in Aveiro coast (NW Portugal). The GEE 25 platform seems to be an important tool for coastal management. The models developed have been 26 openly shared, enabling the continuous improvement of the code by the scientific community.

Para que ocorra o desenvolvimento sustentável da piscicultura intensiva em reservatórios, é fundamental ter informações sobre as características limnológicas do corpo hídrico contribuinte, suas peculiaridades e capacidade de suporte. Portanto, o estudo teve como objetivo verificar a viabilidade de implantação de piscicultura intensiva em tanques-rede no reservatório da PCH Boa Sorte, Tocantins, avaliando os locais favoráveis para instalação de tanques-rede, as características limnológicas e a capacidade de suporte do corpo hídrico. O reservatório está localizado no rio Palmeiras que pertence à sub bacia do rio Palma e bacia Paranã, sendo este importante tributário da margem direita do rio Tocantins. Para identificar as áreas favoráveis à implantação do parque aquícola, foi analisada toda a área do reservatório, perfazendo uma área de 232 ha de lâmina d´água, onde a maior parte, 141 ha, foi considerada favorável. Em seguida, foram analisados os parâmetros limnológicos, a saber: Temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, transparência, clorofila-a, fósforo total, amônia, nitrito e nitrato. Todos os parâmetros, com exceção do fósforo total, atenderam aos valores preconizados na resolução n° 357 do CONAMA (2005). A concentração média de fósforo total durante o período de estudo foi de 0,13 mg.L-1, o que demonstra que a capacidade de suporte do reservatório da PCH Boa Sorte já foi ultrapassada. Diante dos dados apresentados neste estudo, concluiu-se que o cultivo de peixes em tanques-rede no reservatório da PCH Boa Sorte não é recomendado, pois tal atividade pode agravar o processo de eutrofização existente no corpo hídrico em estudo.

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change, leading to a loss of values in the form of the services they provide to both nature and society. These lost values are still not well understood, and the methods to carry out their assessment are very diverse. The objective of this study is to compile and synthesize the different methodologies employed by the academic community to economically value water quality in the context of ecosystem services (ESs). To this end, a systematic literature review is performed, using the SCOPUS database, expert-based review tools, and content analysis and synthesis. Results show that most studies on the subject come from the northern hemisphere and tend to value water quality using Regulating & maintenance ESs (notably bioremediation and freshwater chemical regulation) and cultural ESs (notably active recreation) as proxies. Most studies perform primary valuation studies, with stated preference methods being the most frequent; unit value transfer is also commonly seen. These findings suggest that there is a lack of understanding regarding the value of water quality in southern hemisphere nations, and point at a possible over-reliance on practical but potentially biased valuation methodologies.