Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan

Abstract

Abstract Despite their limited spatial extent, freshwater ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity, including one-third of all vertebrate species. This biodiversity is declining dramatically: Globally, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrate populations have fallen more than twice as steeply as terrestrial or marine populations. Threats to freshwater biodiversity are well documented but coordinated action to reverse the decline is lacking. We present an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Priority actions include accelerating implementation of environmental flows; improving water quality; protecting and restoring critical habitats; managing the exploitation of freshwater ecosystem resources, especially species and riverine aggregates; preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions; and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. We recommend adjustments to targets and indicators for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals and roles for national and international state and nonstate actors.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• Freie Universität Berlin DE
• Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries DE
• WWF-UK GB
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust GB
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (United Kingdom) GB
• United States Geological Survey US
• Carleton University CA
• Griffith University AU
• IHE Delft Institute for Water Education NL
• University of Washington US
• Conservation International US
• Cardiff University GB
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology GB
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis AT
• Delft University of Technology NL
• International Union for Conservation of Nature CH
• World Wildlife Fund US

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