A Roadmap for Implementing the Emergency Recovery Plan for Freshwater Biodiversity
This report highlights the global freshwater biodiversity crisis, documenting species declines, habitat loss, and rising threats such as pollution, fragmentation, and climate change. It emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated conservation actions to protect freshwater ecosystems and sustain essential ecosystem services worldwide.
Subject Tags
- Climate impacts
- Wetlands
- Biodiversity
Abstract
This report examines the global crisis facing freshwater biodiversity, documenting widespread declines across species, ecosystems, and regions. Freshwater vertebrate populations have dropped significantly since 1970, with many species now threatened with extinction. The report highlights key drivers of this decline, including habitat loss, pollution, fragmentation, invasive species, water withdrawal, and overexploitation, all intensified by climate change. It also underscores the loss of critical freshwater habitats such as wetlands and free-flowing rivers. These changes threaten essential ecosystem services, including water quality, food systems, and biodiversity support. Emphasizing the scale and urgency of the crisis, the report calls for coordinated, cross-sector conservation and restoration actions to protect freshwater ecosystems and ensure their resilience for future generations.
Citation
Cooke, S. J., Lynch, A. J., Tickner, D., Abell, R., Piczak, M. L., Arthington, A. H., ... & Smol, J. P. (2026). A roadmap for implementing the emergency recovery plan for freshwater biodiversity. Environmental Reviews, 34, 1-7.
TNC Authors
-
Robin Abell
Durable Freshwater Protection Director. Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters
The Nature Conservancy
Email: robin.abell@tnc.org