A tribute to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society and its founder, Mohi Munawar

Abstract

Aquatic ecology received a boost globally in 1989 with the establishment of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS). The mission of the Society is “to encourage and promote integrated ecosystemic and holistic initiatives for the protection and conservation of global aquatic resources.” It focuses on “adoption of ecosystem health concepts and practices in relation to remediation and restoration of stressed aquatic ecosystems.” Its mandate includes the organization of conferences and workshops and the publication of its primary journal, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management (AEHM), and books in the Ecovision World Monograph Series.A total of 42 special issues of the journal have been published to date. Over half of the issues contain contributions pertaining to the Laurentian Great Lakes, with the remainder devoted to aquatic ecosystems in other temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Publication of books in the Ecovision World Monograph Series commenced in 1995 with “The Lake Huron Ecosystem: Ecology, Fisheries and Management.” Of the 21 Ecovision books published to date, 10 directly concern the Laurentian Great lakes including the landmark State of the Lakes volumes. Other volumes feature ecosystem concepts and aquatic resources in Mexico, China, the Persian Gulf, the Nordic Region, the Himalayas and other Great Lakes of the world.The global scope of both the special issues and Ecovision publications reflects the mandate of AEHMS to promote an integrated ecosystem-based approach to aquatic ecology in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Most of the publications are proceedings of conferences and workshops organized by AEHMS alone, or with other organizations. This process is ongoing. Publications in progress include results from studies in Sweden, India, Africa, Lake Ontario, Bay of Quinte and Hamilton Harbour. Clearly, the mission and mandate established by the Society in 1989 have been fulfilled and will continue into the future.The amount and scope of information on global aquatic ecosystems organized and published by AEHMS is enormous. This would not have been possible without the foresight and outstanding leadership provided by Dr. Mohi Munawar, President of AEHMS and Chief Editor of AEHM and Ecovision World Monograph Series. He initiated the concept of the Society, organized it and has managed its activities since inception.Dr. Munawar's energy and productivity are legendary. Peer respect is reflected in the eight distinguished awards he has received to date including all three major awards from the International Association for Great Lakes Research. His contributions to Great Lakes science through his research activities and numerous publications are without parallel in the Great Lakes research community. His enormous contributions to aquatic ecosystem science through AEHMS are recognized and appreciated globally as evidenced by the international awards he has received including an Honorary Doctorate from Gothenburg University, Sweden and a Fellowship from The Aca- demy of Science, Engineering and Technology of India.Dr. Munawar is the originator and prime motivator of a world-class ecological society and the wealth of information accruing over more than two decades would not have been generated without his initiative and dedication. It is also important to mention that the AEHMS has a competent, diligent and dedicated editorial staff which ensures that each issue of the journal and Ecovision volumes is published with the utmost quality and excellence.