Title: Assessing the social risks of flooding for coastal societies: a case study for Prince Edward Island, Canada

Journal: Environmental Research Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ad61c8

Abstract: With the worldwide growing threat of flooding, assessing flood risks for human societies and the associated social vulnerability has become a necessary but challenging task. Earlier research indicates that islands usually face heightened flood risks due to higher population density, isolation, and oceanic activities, while there is an existing lack of experience in assessing the island-focused flood risk under complex interactions between geography and socioeconomics. In this context, our study employs high-resolution flood hazard data and the principal component analysis (PCA) method to comprehensively assess the social risk of flood exposure and social vulnerability in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, where limited research has been delivered on flood risk assessments. The findings reveal that exposed populations are closely related to the distribution of flood areas, with increasingly severe impact from current to future climate conditions, especially on the island’s north shore. Exposed buildings exhibit a concentrated distribution at different levels of community centers, with climate change projected to significantly worsen building exposure compared to population, possibly due to the urban agglomeration effect. The most populated cities and towns show the highest social vulnerabilities in PEI, and the results reflect a relatively less complex economic structure of islands. Recommendations for research and management in the coming stage include the necessity of particular climate actions, recognizing community centers as critical sites for flood hazard responses, and incorporating flood hazards into urban planning and management to mitigate the impacts of continuous urbanization on ecosystem services for flood prevention.

Title: Climate change impacts on oyster aquaculture – Part II: Impact assessment and adaptation measures

Journal: Environmental Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119535

Abstract: The oyster aquaculture sector plays a major role in food security, providing a sustainable way to obtain food and livelihood for coastal and Island nations. Oysters are one of the preferred choices by aquaculturists because of their resilience to harsh climatic conditions. Nonetheless, climate change will continue to pose threats to its culture. Climate-induced hazards such as floods, storms, disease, and invasive species are some of the key factors limiting oyster production globally. A thriving aquaculture industry needs optimal conditions to maximize exploitation. Here, we continue with the review of the impacts of climate change on oyster aquaculture at the global scale, highlighting climate vulnerability assessment. We also propose a framework for modeling oyster responses to future climate scenarios. Furthermore, we explore the health implications of infected oysters on consumer’s health. We also identify knowledge gaps and challenges for sustainable oyster production. Additionally, we document mitigation and adaptation measures and future research directions.

The following paper about the spatiotemporal and weather effects on the reproductive success of piping plovers has been recently accepted for publication by Ecology and Evolution.

Guild, R. and X. Wang. Spatiotemporal and Weather Effects on the Reproductive Success of Piping Plovers on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Ecology and Evolution, accepted on July 14, 2024.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

The following paper about the runoff dynamics in the Hyper Arid Region, Saudi
Arabia has been recently accepted for publication by Water.

Hussain S., B. Niyazi, A. M. Elfeki, M. Masoud, X. Wang, and M. Awais. SWAT-Driven Exploration of Runoff Dynamics in Hyper Arid Region, Saudi Arabia: Implications for Hydrological Under-standing. Water, accepted on July 16, 2024.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

The following paper about the sustainability evaluation of groundwater abstraction has been recently accepted for publication by Groundwater for Sustainable Development.

Mahmood, M. Q. and X. Wang. Evaluating the Sustainability of Groundwater Abstraction in Small Watersheds Using Time Series Analysis. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, accepted on July 17, 2024.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.