Freshwater Ecosystems Restoration
Why it is vital to invest in the preservation and restoration of these ecosystems
By The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP Europe Office
Lake Naivasha, Kenya 2 (2015) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/2421
Why restore freshwater ecosystems?
Freshwater ecosystems provide food, water, energy, as well as living and leisure areas for billion people. They also provide a unique habitat for many plants and animals, including one-third of all vertebrate species.
Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) in United Arab Emirates (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Rob Barnes under licence from AGEDIOriginal Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/9033
Biodiversity
Freshwater ecosystems are home to rich biodiversity.
They sustain many animal species which undergo long migrations to reproduce, find shelter, food, and water as is the case for the great flamingo.
River Ölfusá just North of Selfoss, South Iceland (2013) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/4496
Why are freshwater ecosystems under threat?
Freshwater ecosystems are particularly degraded. They face pollution from chemicals, plastics, and sewage.
These ecosystems are very vulnerable to human activities. If a river is polluted, the chemicals could spill out into lakes and end up in oceans several kilometres away.
The Lukanga wetland in Zambia is an ideal breeding ground for fish (2020) by © UNEP/Georgina SmithThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The consequences of overfishing
Freshwater ecosystem wildlife can be threatened by over exploitation and human infrastructures. In Europe, 38% of freshwater fish species are endangered. This is the result of over fishing and habitat destruction caused by many dams, among other things.
Freshwater Crab, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/3779
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are non-native species brought willingly or unwillingly by humans to an ecosystem where it does not belong. Invasive species thrive and threaten the balance of the whole ecosystem, sometimes causing important economic damage to society.
Remnants of Chad Lake, Chad, February 2015 (2015) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/4863
What's the impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystem?
Climate change has terrible consequences on freshwater ecosystems. With rising temperatures, the water level of lakes and rivers diminishes, threatening the survival of many species. For instance, Lake Chad has shrunk by about 90% since 1970, because of droughts.
South Norwegian spruce forest (2) (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/3047
What can be done?
Infrastructures generating power or supplying industry break ecosystems’ continuity. This damage can be lessened thanks to water corridors that allow fish and other animals to migrate freely.
Agriculture landscape with small lake, villages and forests in Baden Würtemberg, Germany (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/1708
Agree to protect
Humans settle near freshwater ecosystems because of the water supply. Protecting these areas by a change in habits and legally binding agreements related to pollution of waterways is essential to preserve these ecosystems and all life forms that rely on freshwater.
Irrigation plots between Lake Nasser and Toshka Lakes, Egypt, 3 (2015) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/4833
More actions
In addition to wildlife reintroduction programs, freshwater ecosystems can also be protected thanks to strict regulations on fisheries and limitations on crop irrigation during droughts.
Harvesting water in Peru - MAX HIDALGO QUINTO - UNEP Young Champion of the Earth, Latin America (2020) by © UNEPThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica (2014) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/3034
What can I do?
The protection or reintroduction of freshwater species is useless if we continue to pollute these ecosystems.
You can save more water than you think:
Why don't you reuse the water you clean vegetables in, for your plants?
Does your car need to be washed that often?
Mirroring lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia (2017) by © GRID-Arendal/Peter ProkoshOriginal Source: https://www.grida.no/resources/11732
Every little helps!
If we all do our bit, everybody can help to preserve freshwater ecosystems!
Join us and learn more!
- United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
- UNEP Ecosystem Restoration Playbook.
- UNEP & FAO: Becoming #GenerationRestoration: Ecosystem Restoration for People, Nature and Climate
- Society for Ecological Restoration:
International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration
Additional learning resources
- IUCN: Community Organizing - Toolkit on Ecosystems Restoration
- IUCN: Freshwater for the Future
- Conservation International: Freshwaters Ecosystems
- National Geographic: Freshwater Ecosystem
The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), Europe Office
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