Work

Understanding and managing inland water biodiversity in the earth critical zone

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Increasing numbers of papers, blogs, and advocacy campaigns correctly observe that freshwater biodiversity (in its construct) is declining rapidly. However, other authors also express the same views for other ecosystems in the Earth Critical Zone. That freshwater biodiversity is special and different has validity, but not more so than other terrestrial or marine biodiversity. As a result, this special pleading to separate freshwater biodiversity from the rest of terrestrial biodiversity produces a distorted picture of the research and monitoring needed to develop informed policy and decision-making and thus improve stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. Promoting research through the integrated lens of landscape connectivity and ecohydrology is key to more effective, and better-informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. Co-designing integrated research that recognizes the four-dimensional nature of freshwater ecosystems with early input from policymakers, decision-makers, and holders of Indigenous knowledge can halt and reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. Such research, linked with effective monitoring procedures, frameworks, and well-written policy can ensure better support for all terrestrial (linked) biodiversity. • Freshwater biodiversity (genes, species, ecosystems) is declining globally, and to resolve this decline understanding the four-dimensional (three spatial dimensions and time) nature of freshwater ecosystems is crucial seeing their place in the Earth Critical Zone. • Freshwater biodiversity has differences from surrounding terrestrial biodiversity, and this difference can be understood by promoting research and monitoring through the integrated lens of landscape connectivity and ecohydrology; leading to more effective and informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. • Co-designing integrated research and monitoring, based on a range of knowledges, will lead to Integrated policy development and help reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity.

Source: Earth Critical Zone

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecz.2025.100023

Authors: Peter Bridgewater, Suraj Upadhaya, Beeju Poudyal

Institutions: University of Canberra, Beijing Forestry University, Kentucky State University, Agriculture and Forestry University

Language: English

Topic: Fish Ecology and Management Studies

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,800