Looking for your participation—— 37th SIL May 5-9 2024 at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

Our Editor-in-Chief Prof. R.M. Hughes and Editorial Board Member Prof. M. Callisto will host three sessions at the 37th SIL Congress at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil during May 5-9 2024：

SS16. Challenges of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies in Mined Environments: Exploring Impacts and Pathways to Recovery
SS25. South American Spatially Extensive Biological Assessments: Gaps & Opportunities
SS34. Citizen Science as a Path for Sustaining Healthy Waterbodies

The conference aims to promote the sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of water bodies and aquatic resources through these efforts. We sincerely invite you to join in this Congress and participate in these sessions. All the participants are encouraged to publish their conference papers in Water Biology and Security FREE of charge.

SS16. Challenges of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies in Mined Environments: Exploring Impacts and Pathways to Recovery

Co-chairs: Castro, D (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Callisto, M (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Paprocki, H (PUC-MG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Silva, F (Tema Ambiental / Puc Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil).

Abstract: Mining activities have induced profound impacts on aquatic ecosystems, including the input of heavy metals, sediment loading, deforestation, and road construction. These activities have significantly altered aquatic biodiversity in Neotropical waterbodies, disrupting community structure, food chains, and ecosystem services. This session aims to evaluate mining impacts on aquatic biodiversity and propose effective pathways for rehabilitation, with a focus on responsible resource management. By discussing the interplay between mining and aquatic ecosystems, researchers and practitioners can explore management practices, monitoring strategies, and scientific information to achieve sustainable mining while mitigating adverse effects on water quality and ecosystem services. The session will also highlight innovative conservation and rehabilitation methodologies currently in progress. Additionally, the role of limnology, especially in the aftermath of mining tailings dam collapses, is crucial for the recovery and monitoring of affected aquatic ecosystems. Limnologists have contributed significantly to monitoring and recovery initiatives, utilizing an extensive environmental database to restore biogeochemical processes, hydrobiological community structures, fluvial dynamics, and hydrogeology within these ecosystems. It is imperative to deliberate upon and present these outcomes and strategies at the Limnology Congress, as limnology forms the bedrock for the reparation of aquatic ecosystems in the wake of mining-induced disturbances. This integrated approach fosters a more harmonious coexistence between mining endeavors and aquatic biodiversity.

SS25. South American Spatially Extensive Biological Assessments: Gaps & Opportunities

Co-chairs:  Solar, R (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Callisto, M (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Hughes, R (Oregon State University, Estados Unidos)

Abstract: The ecological conditions of aquatic ecosystems in South America are changing rapidly in response to a growing population, hydropower development, land use change, and climate heating. Currently, there are, or have been, at least 5 spatially extensive assessments in South America (Eastern Brazilian Amazonia, Brazilian Cerrado, Bolivia, Rio das Velhas, & Rio Doce) that we know of. Similar spatially extensive bioassessments are occurring on all continents but Antarctica, and we invite those scientists and managers so that we all can learn from their successes and failures from their experiences. This session seeks to examine commonalities amongst those research programs (and others), determine major research gaps amongst them, and determine feasible opportunities for closing those gaps. Our goal is to arrive at standard, cost-effective methods for a standard assessment of the ecological condition of South American aquatic ecosystems in hopes of spotting and mitigating their deterioration.

SS34. Citizen Science as a Path for Sustaining Healthy Waterbodies

Co-chairs: Callisto, M (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil), Hughes, R M (Oregon State University, Estados Unidos), França, J S (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil)

Abstract: Lakes, streams & wetlands are widely ignored by scientists, the public, and decision-makers. Yet, like the smallest blood vessels of an organism’s body, these headwaters are critically important for the healthy functioning and structuring of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Climate change, land use intensification, and water withdrawals create a perfect storm for fragmenting and degrading those small waters—despite their importance to unique, endemic biota and for providing ecosystem services to humans (e.g., flood, drought, & disease mitigation, fisheries, wildlife viewing). It is critically important for scientists to engage not only other scientists—but the public as well. We must assist public school students and teachers in monitoring and assessing water quality and biota, including discussing the results with local decision-makers (private companies and local governments). Engaging school youths is a seed for citizen-science growth and effectiveness. Simplified quantitative field protocols and GoPro filming of reference & impaired streams provide pertinent and appropriate information for communicating with decision-makers. Engaging citizen groups regarding the human health and economic benefits of stream rehabilitation provides information on the ecosystem services offered by healthy streams and riparian communities. With the assistance of our coauthors, we will present global research examples of the values and threats to those aquatic ecosystems together with alternatives for communicating that information to the public and decision-makers.