Sustainability and Avian Biodiversity Tensions in Wastewater Management in Arid Zones

Abstract

Global biodiversity is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic and climatic changes. Many animals lose habitats where they can settle and reproduce successfully or are affected in their migratory movements due to disturbance and a lack of stop-over sites. Wetlands are declining worldwide with strong impacts on millions of resident and migratory birds. Specifically in arid zones, artificial wetlands such as sewage ponds can become increasingly important habitat for birds. Yet these sites are also altered by technological upgrades geared to more efficient water usage, with largely unknown consequences for avian biodiversity. Here, we systematically determine the relationship between wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) and avian biodiversity across various levels of technological WTP advancement, along the Nile in Egypt, a major bird migration flyway. We show that WTPs host large numbers of resident and migratory birds, with the most advanced treatment technologies having significantly lower species diversity compared to less advanced WTPs. In contrast, low-technology WTPs with water availability in spill-over ponds displayed the highest species diversity. The results underscore ecological trade-offs in water-saving technologies, especially in arid regions where natural wetlands are limited. We advocate for a balanced approach to wastewater management that integrates human resource efficiency and biodiversity conservation. Our findings have broader implications for trade-offs in resource management, emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder involvement and nature-based scientific approaches. This study lays the groundwork for future research on how wastewater management and understanding human activities' impact on wildlife can contribute to biodiversity conservation and address conflicting sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Keywords: Wastewater treatmentBird diversityArid zonesBird migrationWater scarcityBiodiversity.