Durable Freshwater Protection Overview
Explore Durable Freshwater Protection, an approach for safeguarding freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity and social values over the long term. Learn how the DFP framework addresses connectivity, hydrology, water quality and other freshwater needs through effective protection, sustainable funding, social support and adaptive management.
Subject Tags
- Biodiversity
- Climate resilience
- Habitat restoration
Overview
Durable Freshwater Protection is an approach to safeguarding freshwater ecological integrity, biodiversity and associated social values over the long term. The DFP framework recognizes the unique needs of freshwater ecosystems, including connectivity, hydrology, water quality, habitat condition and biotic composition. It offers a flexible approach to conservation that can include protected and conserved areas, OECMs and other legal or effective place based protection mechanisms. Durable protection also depends on sustainable funding and long term support from local communities. DFP can work alongside restoration, improved management, nature based solutions and integrated water resources management to address threats within and beyond protected freshwater systems. Rather than serving as a checklist, DFP is an ongoing process that helps practitioners strengthen protection, manage emerging threats and build the resilience of freshwater ecosystems in a changing climate.