It’s time to restore our freshwater ecosystems

In the article linked above, the authors highlight the importance of freshwaters to human livelihoods and wellbeing, and also to wildlife. Yet freshwater habitats are among the most threatened environments on the planet due to urbanisation, farming and industry, water extraction, pollution, changes in flow (e.g. due to dams and levees), invasive species, over-harvesting of species, and climate change.

The authors explain how restoration of habitats is the cheapest and most effective way to protect aquatic biodiversity. This can be done by replanting native vegetation, removing weeds, expanding floodplain areas, fencing out livestock, rotating pastures, and better management of pesticides and nutrients.