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The Causes of Decline:
Threats to Freshwater Ecosystems and Biodiversity
 Removal of the Cuddebackville Dam on the Neversink River, New York, United States © George Schuler |
The three killer causes of freshwater biodiversity decline are hydrologic alteration from dams and diversions, water quality degradation largely from agriculture, and predation and competition from invasive species.
Over the last 100 years, the scope of these threats has increased exponentially, paralleling the six-fold increase in our appetite for the range of services provided by freshwater globally (transportation, irrigation, energy production, etc.)
Despite some recent conservation gains, our thirst for water for electricity generation, farming, and public water supplies is straining available resources in an increasing number of regions as well as contributing to water shortages affecting millions of people around the world.
To find out more about the primary threats to freshwater ecosysystems, please select from the following:
