Congratulations to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society

Abstract

As an editorial advisor to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS), it is with great enthusiasm and joy to personally congratulate and, at the same time, celebrate AEHMS’ 20 years of active professional and scientific activities to protect and conserve global aquatic resources. Promotion of the ecosystem approach and management has become the most important mandate for the Society, not only in the western world, but also globally especially in the developing regions such as Africa, Middle East, South America, India, China and Malaysia. AEHMS was founded by Dr. Mohiuddin (Mohi) Munawar who currently serves as its president and Chief Editor of its primary journal Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management (AEHM). Under Dr. Munawar's leadership, AEHMS and its journal have flourished and produced numerous landmark publications on the Laurentian Great Lakes and Great Lakes of the world … a tribute to Dr. Munawar's dedication and passion for sharing timely information on aquatic ecosystems with a global community.Dr. Munawar has made significant contributions to Great Lakes science, beginning his research career in 1969 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Dr. R. A. Vollenweider. Mohi Munawar is one of the world's leading experts on phytoplankton dynamics and ecology in large lakes of the world and his research on the microbial food web has led to an understanding of how the lower food web functions in large oligotrophic freshwater lake ecosystems like the Great Lakes. If there was ever a ‘Hall of Famer’ award for an individual who is a respected scientist and has devoted his career to the Great Lakes and large lakes of the world, it is Dr. Mohi Munawar. Mohi has given over 350 scientific presentations at conferences, including plenary and keynote addresses, with a focus on the Laurentian Great Lakes and Great Lakes of the world. In addition, he has been a prolific writer publishing over 230 primary publications in international journals and peer-reviewed books. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to Great Lakes science including IAGLR's Chandler-Misener Award and the Anderson-Everett Award, an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Science, Goteborg University, Sweden, and Canada's Assistant Deputy Minister's Distinction Award, in recognition of leadership and outstanding scientific contributions on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In 2012, Dr. Munawar was awarded the prestigious International Association of Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to understanding and promoting the protection of large lakes of the world.Dr. Munawar's passion for the Great Lakes and enthusiasm for organizing symposia on ‘The State of the Great Lakes’ at forums like IAGLR has culminated in several comprehensive, peer reviewed books for each of the Laurentian Great Lakes, a significant accomplishment indeed. In fact, in a short period of about 15 years, his ability to bring together Great Lakes scientists to share ideas, concepts, and information, has resulted in 10 peer-reviewed books, eight of which targeted the Laurentian Great Lakes. In addition, as chief editor of the journal AEHM, Dr. Munawar spearheaded five special issues devoted to the Great Lakes. These books and special journal issues are landmark publications that will serve the scientific, stakeholder, and management communities well into the future. As a result, the rest of the world has learned about North America's Great Lakes through Mohi's efforts – a significant outcome that has been the result of hard work, dedication, passion, and leadership.I am pleased to have been a part of AEHMS’ evolution, growth, and success over the past 20 years and look forward to a healthy and productive AEHMS in the coming decades. Congratulations to Dr. Munawar and his staff for their professional dedication and distinguished contributions to AEHMS. Aquatic resources globally have greatly benefitted from your superb contributions.