Accounting impacts of renewable energy expansions on ecosystem services to balance the trade-offs
This new study authored by our resident environmental economist Dr. Tariq Aziz discusses the importance of considering ecosystem services’ value prior to investing in new renewable energy sources. This research looks specifically at Pakistan and compares the current land use to a situation where a renewable energy system is in place. To determine the value lost, this study uses explicit modelling and ecosystem services valuation techniques to demonstrate where there is a decline in value. The methodology presented in this paper is extremely transferrable and can be used in other countries to discover the impacts of implementing renewable energy, values versus losses. This research will help policymakers make informed decisions when it comes to investing in renewable energy. Contact Aquanty today (info@aquanty.com) if you want to learn more about how we can support ecosystem goods & services valuation in your own jurisdiction.  

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Numerical simulations of water flow and contaminants transport near mining wastes disposed in a fractured rock mass
HydroGeoSphere has really become known for it's integrated surface/groundwater modelling capabilities, but did you know that the precursor model (Frac3DVS) was originally produced to variably saturated flow and solute transport through discrete fracture networks in porous media? This paper is an excellent example of these capabilities, which are still fully supported by HydroGeoSphere, and which demonstrate the utility of HGS in mine closure planning. 

Here the authors simulate the transport of solute under a variety of conditions within a hypothetical mine closure scenario. The authors assess the influence of recharge, properties of the waste material (i.e. filling the open pit with waste rock or tailings) and presence of fractures in the surrounding rock mass (i.e. homogeneous rock mass, vertically/orthogonally fracture rock mass) on the overall solute transport regime. 

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Potential influence of climate change on ecosystems within the Boreal Plains of Alberta
This study investigates the possible impacts of climate change in the Boreal Plains in Northern Alberta, Canada, with a focus on ponds, peatlands with sparse black spruce, and hillslopes with predominantly aspen forests. Ecosystem health in this region (and most regions) is dependent on water availability, but warming temperatures are changing the water cycle and threatening water availability. In this study the integrated hydrology of these ecosystems were modelled under 13 different climate scenarios for the 2011-2090 period. "Results indicate peatland water levels may decline by up to 1m [, and] higher evapotranspiration losses from the aspen hillslopes are predicted to result in near-surface soils becoming increasingly drier[.] Reduced pond water levels are also predicted with the development of frequent ephemeral conditions in warmer and drier scenarios."

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