Publication: Future-proofing the emergency recovery plan for freshwater biodiversity
Image: NSW State of Environment
Humanity can change the trajectory of rapid biodiversity decline in freshwaters
A global team of researchers, including scientists supporting the AFL, presents future-proofing approaches likely to be successful in bending the curve of freshwater biodiversity decline using local case studies and examples. The team describes six priority actions:
(1) accelerate implementation of environmental flows
(2) improve water quality to sustain aquatic life
(3) protect and restore critical habitats
(4) manage exploitation of freshwater species and riverine aggregates
(5) prevent and control nonnative species invasions in freshwater habitats
(6) safeguard and restore freshwater connectivity.
The prerequisite for the success of the urgent Emergency Recovery Plan is to anticipate future risks (e.g., emerging pollutants, new invaders, and synergistic effects) and minimize likely stressors to make conservation of freshwater biodiversity more resilient to climate change and other global environmental challenges.
