Eutrophication, Research and Management History of the Shallow Ypacaraí Lake (Paraguay)

Gregorio Alejandro López Moreira M., Luigi Hinegk, Andrea Salvadore, Guido Zolezzi, Franz Hölker, Roger Arturo Monte Domecq S., Martina Bocci, Sebastiano Carrer, Luca De Nat, Juan Escribá, Carmen Escribá, Gilberto Antonio Benítez, Claudia Raquel Ávalos, Inocencia Peralta, Mario Insaurralde, Fátima Mereles, Jean Michel Sekatcheff, Andrés Wehrle, Juan Francisco Facetti-Masulli, Juan Francisco Facetti and Marco Toffolon
Additional contact information
Gregorio Alejandro López Moreira M.: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy
Luigi Hinegk: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy
Andrea Salvadore: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy
Guido Zolezzi: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy
Franz Hölker: Department of Ecohydrology, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin, Germany
Roger Arturo Monte Domecq S.: Centre for Appropriate Technology (CTA), Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCYT), “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” Catholic University (UCNSA), 1366 Asunción, Paraguay
Martina Bocci: Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy
Sebastiano Carrer: Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy
Luca De Nat: Thetis S.p.A., 30122 Venice, Italy
Juan Escribá: INYMA Consult S.R.L., 1580 Asunción, Paraguay
Carmen Escribá: INYMA Consult S.R.L., 1580 Asunción, Paraguay
Gilberto Antonio Benítez: Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Claudia Raquel Ávalos: Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Inocencia Peralta: Multidisciplinary Centre for Technological Investigations (CEMIT), General Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research (DGICT), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Mario Insaurralde: Department of Fishing and Aquaculture, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Fátima Mereles: Department of Botany, Faculty of Chemical Sciences (FCQ), National University of Asunción (UNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Jean Michel Sekatcheff: Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Andrés Wehrle: Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Juan Francisco Facetti-Masulli: Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Juan Francisco Facetti: Faculty of Engineering, National University of Asunción (FIUNA), 2169 San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Marco Toffolon: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), University of Trento (UniTN), 38123 Trento, Italy

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-32

Abstract: Ypacaraí Lake is the most renowned lake in landlocked Paraguay and a major source of drinking and irrigation water for neighbouring towns. Beyond its socioeconomic and cultural significance, it has great ecological importance, supporting a rich biodiversity. Rapid growth of human presence and activities within its basin has led to its environmental degradation, a heartfelt matter of high political concern that compels intervention. Here, by reconstructing the history of scientific and management-oriented research on this system, we provide a comprehensive assessment of current knowledge and practice to which we contribute our recent, novel findings. An upward trend in total phosphorus concentration confirms ongoing eutrophication of an already eutrophic system, evidenced by consistently high values of trophic state indices. Downward trends in water transparency and chlorophyll-a concentration support the hypothesis that primary production in this lake is fundamentally light limited. Statistical and other analyses suggest high sensitivity of the system to hydraulic, hydro-morphological and hydro-meteorological alterations arising, respectively, from engineering interventions, land use and climate change. By discussing knowledge gaps, opportunities for research and challenges for management and restoration, we argue that this case is of high scientific value and that its study can advance theoretical understanding of shallow subtropical lakes.

Keywords: turbid lake; subtropical lake; alternative stable states; limnological study; historical reconstruction; cyanobacterial bloom; light limitation; trend analysis; correlation analysis; PCA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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