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Anthropogenic waterways and canal systems have been part of the cultural and natural landscape for thousands for years. As of the late 20th century, more than 63 000 km of canals exist worldwide as transport routes for navigation, many with barriers (e.g., locks, dams) that fragment the system and decrease connectivity. Fragmentation alone can have negative implications for freshwater biodiversity; by isolating populations and communities, other human-mediated disturbances associated with canals like poor water quality and invasive species can exacerbate these negative effects. As such, the capacity of these interconnected freshwater systems to support biodiversity is continuously degrading at a global level. One critical, highly complex issue that unites canals worldwide is the challenge of governing these systems in a holistic, unified way to both protect biodiversity and preserve historical elements. Managing historic canals involves multiple objectives across many agencies and stakeholders, often with different or conflicting objectives. Here, we use the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Site of Canada, as a case study to demonstrate the importance of considering canals as social–ecological systems for effective and efficient governance. Historic canals are integrated systems of both humans (social) and the environment (ecological), linked by mutual feedbacks and coevolution, and must be managed as such to achieve conservation goals while maintaining commemorative integrity. We discuss the history of the Rideau Canal and its current governance, biodiversity in the waterway, different threats and issues (user conflicts, aquatic pollution, shoreline development, water management, species at risk, and invasive species), and conclude by outlining ways to address the challenges of managing it as a coupled social–ecological system. We present different research needs and opportunities that would enable better management, though above all, we propose a shift from the current governance structure — which at best can be considered “patchwork” — to a coordinated, multi-scalar and multi-stakeholder governance regime such that the Rideau Canal can be maintained for its historical integrity without compromising biodiversity conservation. Given that canals are now pervasive worldwide, this article is not only topical to the Rideau Canal, but also to other waterways in Canada and beyond.

Lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily restricted human activity and removed people from many places of work and recreation. The resulting 'Anthropause' generated much media and research interest and has become an important storyline in the public history of the pandemic. As an ecological event, the Anthropause is fleeting and unlikely to alter the long-term human impact on the planet. But the Anthropause is also a cultural symbol whose effects may be more enduring. Will the Anthropause inspire people and governments to mobilize for meaningful reform, or does it present a misleading and too-comforting portrayal of resilient nature and wildlife that could ultimately discourage action? While it is too early to gauge the impact of the Anthropause on human behaviour and politics, we use existing research on environmental symbols and metaphors to identify factors that may influence long-term behavioural and political responses to this globally significant period of time. © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Foundation for Environmental Conservation.

The historic Rideau Canal, spanning 200 km between the Canadian cities of Ottawa and Kingston, is a world heritage site and recreational waterway. The waterway presents a governance challenge, with...

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is dramatically impacting planetary and human societal systems that are inseparably linked. Zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 expose how human well-being is inextricably interconnected with the environment and to other converging (human driven) social–ecological crises, such as the dramatic losses of biodiversity, land use change, and climate change. We argue that COVID-19 is itself a social–ecological crisis, but responses so far have not been inclusive of ecological resiliency, in part because the “Anthropause” metaphor has created an unrealistic sense of comfort that excuses inaction. Anthropause narratives belie the fact that resource extraction has continued during the pandemic and that business-as-usual continues to cause widespread ecosystem degradation that requires immediate policy attention. In some cases, COVID-19 policy measures further contributed to the problem such as reducing environmental taxes or regulatory enforcement. While some social–ecological systems (SES) are experiencing reduced impacts, others are experiencing what we term an “Anthrocrush,” with more visitors and intensified use. The varied causes and impacts of the pandemic can be better understood with a social–ecological lens. Social–ecological insights are necessary to plan and build the resilience needed to tackle the pandemic and future social–ecological crises. If we as a society are serious about building back better from the pandemic, we must embrace a set of research and policy responses informed by SES thinking.

We present a collection of emotional video clips that can be used in ways similar to static images (e.g., the International Affective Picture System, IAPS; Lang, Bradley, & Cuthbert, 2008). The Database of Emotional Videos from Ottawa (DEVO) includes 291 brief video clips (mean duration = 5.42 s; SD = 2.89 s; range = 3–15 s) extracted from obscure sources to reduce their familiarity and to avoid influencing participants’ emotional responses. In Study 1, ratings of valence and arousal (measured with the Self Assessment Manikins from IAPS) and impact (Croucher, Calder, Ramponi, Barnard, & Murphy, 2011) were collected from 154 participants (82 women; mean age = 19.88 years; SD = 2.83 years), in a between-subjects design to avoid potential halo effects across the three ratings (Saal, Downey, & Lahey, 1980). Ratings collected online in a new set of 124 students with a within-subjects design (Study 2) were significantly correlated with the original sample’s. The clips were unfamiliar, having been seen previously by fewer than 2% of participants on average. The ratings consistently revealed the expected U-shaped relationships between valence and arousal/impact, and a strong positive correlation between arousal and impact. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the Study 1 ratings suggested seven groups of clips varying in valence, arousal, and impact, although the Study 2 ratings suggested five groups of clips. These clips should prove useful for a wide range of research on emotion and behaviour.

The COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding public health mitigation strategies have altered many facets of human life. And yet, little is known about how public health measures have impacted complex socio-ecological systems such as recreational fisheries. Using an online snowball survey, we targeted resident anglers in Ontario, Canada, to obtain preliminary insights on how the pandemic has impacted recreational fishing and related activity. We also explored angler perspectives on pandemic-related restrictions and other aspects of fisheries management. Our results point to the value of recreational fisheries for the mental and physical well-being of participants, as well as the value and popularity of outdoor recreation during a pandemic. Although angling effort and fish consumption appeared to decline during the early phases of the pandemic, approximately 21 % of the anglers who responded to our survey self-identified as new entrants who had begun or resumed fishing in that time. Self-reported motivations to fish during the pandemic suggest that free time, importance to mental and physical health, and desires for self-sufficiency caused some anglers to fish more, whereas a lack of free time, poor or uncertain accessibility, and perceived risks caused some anglers to fish less. Respondents also expressed their desires for more clear and consistent communication about COVID-19 fishing restrictions from governments, and viewed angling as a safe pandemic activity. Information on recreational angler behaviours, motivations, and perspectives during the pandemic may prove valuable to fisheries managers and policy makers looking to optimize their strategies for confronting this and other similar crises.

Andrew Pelling is a Canadian experimental scientist who uses low-cost, open source materials to create the medical technology of the future. He runs an interdisciplinary, curiosity-driven lab at the University of Ottawa ( pellinglab.net ), where he researches non-genetic ways to create artificial tissues and organs. Much of his experimental work has led to new insights in cancer pathology, muscle degeneration and stem-cell development. He has a cross-appointment in the departments of Physics and Biology and the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University, has held a Canada Research Chair since 2008 and was elected a member of the Global Young Academy in 2013. He is an honorary research fellow at SymbioticA, Center of excellence for biological arts. Dr Pelling has also recently started a company to sell and distribute low-cost kits for key scientific equipment that lets anyone create biomaterials for regenerative medicine. His latest achievements and hard work have earned him a place in the TED2016 Fellows Class. We were interested to interview Andrew Pelling, whose experience within and beyond the life sciences could help us better navigate the complex and emerging realms of laboratory life.