DEXiAqua is a free-to-use software tool co-developed by INRAE (UMR SAS) and the partners of the European PRIMA SIMTAP project (Self-sufficient Integrated Multi-Trophic AquaPonic systems for improving food production sustainability and brackish water use and recycling). It aims to help stakeholders assess the sustainability of aquaculture production systems, particularly integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems.

DEXiAqua includes (1) a DEXi model and (2) a file to collect data and proceed intermediate indicator calculation. DEXiAqua is based on a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators defined as key components of the sustainability of aquaculture systems. These indicators are drawn from both established frameworks (Life Cycle Assessment, Emergy, Social Life Cycle Assessment) and an in-depth review of scientific and technical literature 

What does DEXiAqua do?

• Assess the sustainability of aquaculture production systems across the three pillars: environment, economy, and social
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of systems
• Rank and compare systems with each other or against a reference system
• Facilitate discussion, critical reflection, and system improvement

Development of DEXiAqua

The development process of DEXiAqua was carried out collectively and through iterative steps (Figure 1). The stakeholders of the SIMTAP project were actively involved in the tool’s development by contributing to (1) the selection of sustainability indicators, (2) their organization into a decision tree, (3) the establishment of weights for the different branches of the tree, and (4) the determination of threshold values to define the classes associated with the indicators. In addition to the DEXi model itself, DEXiAqua includes a spreadsheet file (Excel© format) that enables the automated calculation of indicators and associated attributes, which is essential for evaluating a system within DEXi.

Description of DEXiAqua

DEXiAqua includes a total of 69 indicators, distributed across the sub-branches of a sustainability decision tree with three main branches: Environment (27 indicators), Social (22 indicators), and Economy (20 indicators). The tree, indicators, and associated parameters (units, weights, threshold values) are described in the article by Le Féon et al. (2021). Thus, DEXiAqua not only enables the assessment of a system’s overall sustainability but also provides detailed sustainability scores for each branch and sub-branch (Figure 2).

How to use DEXiAqua

1. Install the DEXi Software
2. Download DEXiAqua and open it in DEXi
3. Select the system(s) to evaluate, gather the required data, and complete the spreadsheet
4. Import the data from the template into the DEXiAqua model in DEXi
5. Evaluate the systems in DEXi
6. Optional: Generate summary graphs using IziEval

Partners of project SIMTAP

UNIPI University of Pisa - It (coordonateur), INRAE SAS Sol Agro et hydrosystème Spatialisation - Fr, Korolev Korolev GmbH - Ge, MESDC Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Dev. & Climate Change - Cy, LML Lycée de la Mer et du Littoral à Bourcefranc le Chapus - Fr, UNIBO Alma Mater Studiorum Universita' di Bologna - It, UNIMI, Università di Milano - Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali - It, MEDFRI Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute -Tu.

Please note

• This is not a certification or labeling tool.
• This tool does not replace professional advice!
• The developers of DEXiAqua cannot be held responsible for the evaluation results obtained using the tool.
• Use of this tool is voluntary.

The use of DEXiAqua is governed by the licence CeCILL-C; downloading the tool constitutes acceptance of this license. DEXiAqua may not be used for commercial purposes without prior contact and approval from the owners of the DEXi software. The CeCILL-C license allows you to use DEXiAqua without restriction, at your own risk. The developers and owners of DEXiAqua cannot be held liable for any results obtained. Any potential reuse of DEXiAqua in software development must comply with the terms outlined in the CeCILL-C license.