Managing ecosystem services at Loch Leven, Scotland, UK: actions, impacts and unintended consequences

May, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3385-9973; Spears, B.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0876-0405. 2012 Managing ecosystem services at Loch Leven, Scotland, UK: actions, impacts and unintended consequences. Hydrobiologia, 681 (1). 117-130. 10.1007/s10750-011-0931-x

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Abstract/Summary

Rivers, lakes and wetlands are good examples of ecosystems that provide multiple, concurrent, services to mankind. Human society has often exploited these systems by enhancing one ecosystem service at the expense of another. Loch Leven, Scotland, UK, is a good example of this. Over the past 150 years, the lake has been subjected to hydrological modification, fish stocking and pollution control to improve the delivery of key goods and services. This study uses historical records to explore the results of these interventions on the ecosystem services that were targeted for improvement and the knock-on effects on other services provided by the lake. The results suggest that, when management changes are being considered to enhance particular ecosystem services, the potentially damaging effects on other ecosystem services should be taken into account. This requires a better understanding of the role of ecosystem function in delivering ecosystem services, and of the links between multiple ecosystem services, than is currently available. While further research is clearly needed, the value of long term datasets in providing knowledge and understanding through ‘hindsight’ should not be underestimated. The study concludes that successful management actions are likely to be those that incorporate lessons learned from previous decisions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s10750-011-0931-x
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water > WA Topic 2 - Ecohydrological Processes > WA - 2.3 - Assess the responses of river, lake and wetland ecosystems to ecohydrological drivers CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water > WA Topic 2 - Ecohydrological Processes
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	0018-8158
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
Additional Keywords:	lake management, brown trout, rainbow trout, Daphnia, nutrient load, pesticide pollution, cost
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	15 Dec 2011 12:38 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16152

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