Mapping research on hydropower and sustainability in the Brazilian Amazon: advances, gaps in knowledge and future directions Article

Athayde, S, Mathews, M, Bohlman, S et al. (2019). Mapping research on hydropower and sustainability in the Brazilian Amazon: advances, gaps in knowledge and future directions . 37 50-69. 10.1016/j.cosust.2019.06.004

cited authors

  • Athayde, S; Mathews, M; Bohlman, S; Brasil, W; Doria, CR; Dutka-Gianelli, J; Fearnside, PM; Loiselle, B; Marques, EE; Melis, TS; Millikan, B; Moretto, EM; Oliver-Smith, A; Rossete, A; Vacca, R; Kaplan, D

fiu authors

abstract

  • In the last twenty years, multiple large and small hydroelectric dams have begun to transform the Amazonian region, spawning a growing volume of academic research across diverse disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields. In this article, we offer a critical review of recent research related to hydropower and sustainability with a focus on the Brazilian Amazon. We revisit the sustainability concept to include the contribution of various knowledge fields and perspectives for understanding, managing and making decisions about social-ecological systems transformed by dams. We conducted a literature review in Web of Science of academic publications centered in the past 5 years (2014–2019), on diverse aspects of hydropower planning, construction, operation and monitoring in the Brazilian Amazon. We present results of a co-occurrence network analysis of publications, highlighting bridging fields, network disconnections, and opportunities for interdisciplinary research. Finally, we report recent advances in the understanding and management of social-ecological systems in Amazonian watersheds, including biophysical, socio-economic, governance and development processes linked to hydropower planning and implementation. This review identifies knowledge gaps and future research directions, highlighting opportunities for improved communication among scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, indigenous peoples and local communities.

publication date

  • April 1, 2019

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 50

end page

  • 69

volume

  • 37