Managing Urban Eutrophication Risks under Climate Change: An Integrated Modeling and Decision Support Framework

Objectives: The overarching objective of the project is to assemble the suite of modeling and assessment tools that will link variable urban nutrient export fluxes to the ecological, social and economic impacts of eutrophication in the receiving surface waters. The focus will be on predicting urban P export because bioavailable P is the primary driver of eutrophication in large water bodies. The resulting toolbox will enable the evaluation of the vulnerability to eutrophication of the impacted nearshore waters under climate change and future urban development trajectories. The resulting integrated risk management capacity will support decision-making and planning for urban development and, in particular, stormwater management and green infrastructure.


Project PI(s):

  • Philippe Van Cappellen (PI, University of Waterloo)
  • Roy Brouwer (Co-PI, UW Water Institute)
  • Nandita Basu (Co-PI, UW)
  • James Craig (Co-PI, UW)
  • Helen Jarvie (Co-PI, UW)
  • Homa Kheyrollah Pour (Co-PI, Wilfrid Laurier University)
  • Bruce MacVicar (Co-PI, UW)

Project Partner(s):

  • Jenny Winter (Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks)
  • Michael Tolensky (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority)
  • Mark Anderson (Grand River Conservation Authority)
  • John Presta (The Regional Municipality of Durham)
  • Bu Lam (City of Kitchener)

Funding: Global Water Futures (GWF)

Period: 2020/08 to 2023/07