Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: an emergency recovery plan

Tickner, David; Opperman, Jeffrey J.; Abell, Robin; Acreman, Mike; Arthington, Angela H.; Bunn, Stuart E.; Cooke, Steven J.; Dalton, James; Darwall, Will; Edwards, Gavin; Harrison, Ian; Hughes, Kathy; Jones, Tim; Leclère, David; Lynch, Abigail J.; Leonard, Philip; McClain, Michael E.; Muruven, Dean; Olden, Julian D.; Ormerod, Steve J.; Robinson, James; Tharme, Rebecca E.; Thieme, Michele; Tockner, Klement; Wright, Mark; Young, Lucy. 2020 Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: an emergency recovery plan. BioScience, 70 (4). 330-342. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa002

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa002

Abstract/Summary

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.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa002
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0006-3568
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	river restoration, wetlands, freshwater conservation, Sustainable Development Goals, Convention on Biological Diversity
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	03 Mar 2020 12:45 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/527099

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa002

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

0006-3568

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

river restoration, wetlands, freshwater conservation, Sustainable Development Goals, Convention on Biological Diversity