How OneAquaHealth links ecosystem health to human well-being
In cities around the world, urban waterways are often overlooked natural treasures. These streams, rivers, and wetlands aren’t just scenic additions; they’re crucial connectors between people, plants, and animals. They form ecological corridors, bridging the fragmented natural areas that surround urban centers. These ecosystems provide a wide range of benefits, from cleaning the air to supporting local biodiversity. However, urbanization has taken a heavy toll.
Pollution, habitat destruction, and other pressures are degrading these ecosystems, leading to a cascade of problems for both human health and the environment.
A European Union-funded project called OneAquaHealth aims to tackle this issue head-on. The project seeks to demonstrate that the health of urban freshwater ecosystems and human well-being are deeply interconnected. Improving one can lead to improvements in the other, helping to restore the delicate balance between nature and urban life.
Why urban waterways matter
Urban aquatic ecosystems are more than just scenic attractions. They play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services—like filtering pollutants, maintaining water quality, and supporting local wildlife. These systems also offer opportunities for people to connect with nature, whether it’s through leisure activities or simply living near a blue space.
But urban waterways face serious threats. Overdevelopment, pollution, and environmental pressures are causing these ecosystems to deteriorate. This degradation can have far-reaching consequences. For example, poor water quality can lead to the emergence of diseases, while reduced biodiversity in these areas can make wildlife and human populations more vulnerable to health issues.
The project highlights how these degradations can produce “disservices,” such as the spread of diseases or the loss of biodiversity, which in turn can make cities less sustainable and resilient. This connection between environmental health and human well-being is the core idea behind OneAquaHealth.
Monitoring and protecting
To address these challenges, OneAquaHealth focuses on three main areas: monitoring, protecting, and empowering communities.
1. Monitoring: The project uses advanced technologies, including environmental sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor the health of urban waterways. This involves measuring factors like water quality, biodiversity levels, and pollution.
2. Protecting: By identifying early warning signs of ecosystem degradation, the project aims to help communities take action before problems become irreversible. The researchers are also working on creating standardized tools to assess the status of urban aquatic ecosystems across different countries.
3. Empowering Communities: The project emphasizes the role of citizens and communities in safeguarding these ecosystems. It includes initiatives like participatory research and a citizen science program, which involves local communities in monitoring and protecting their local waterways.
Key achievements
So Far Since its inception, OneAquaHealth has made significant progress. For example, the project has established an Open Information Hub, a digital platform that shares data and resources with researchers, policymakers, and the public. This hub acts as a central repository for information on urban waterway health, making it easier for stakeholders to access and use valuable data.
The project has also launched a Community Monitoring Network in five countries, involving researchers, local governments, and community groups. These efforts have generated data on the status of urban waterways, highlighting both the challenges and the potential solutions. Another important achievement is the development of a Citizen Science Protocol, a guide for community-led monitoring of urban waterways. This protocol helps local residents collect data on water quality and biodiversity, empowering them to contribute to conservation efforts.
The project has also made strides in creating a Common Early Warning Environmental Surveillance System. This system uses AI and environmental data to identify potential risks to urban waterways, enabling early intervention.
A healthier future for cities
The ultimate goal of OneAquaHealth is to ensure that urban waterways remain healthy and resilient. By protecting these ecosystems, the project aims to improve public health, promote biodiversity conservation, and foster sustainable cities. The researchers also emphasize the importance of ethical considerations in achieving this goal. They believe that safeguarding urban waterways is not just a technical challenge but also a moral one, involving the promotion of human rights and duties toward a sustainable future.
The bigger picture
The work of OneAquaHealth has far-reaching implications. By linking urban waterway health to human well-being, the project highlights the importance of integrating environmental and health policies. It also demonstrates the power of collaboration—between scientists, policymakers, and communities—to address complex challenges. As cities continue to grow, the protection of urban waterways will become increasingly critical.
OneAquaHealth is paving the way for a future where these ecosystems thrive, benefiting both people and the natural world. The project’s success will depend not only on its scientific achievements but also on its ability to inspire and empower those who live in the cities it seeks to protect. In the words of one of the project’s leaders, “Healthy urban waterways are not just an environmental priority—they are a human priority.”
