Declining Freshwater Species Biodiversity

Abstract

Freshwater is a precious resource that is essential for human survival and liquid surface freshwater accounts for just 0.2% of total volume of water on Earth. Wetlands, which are home to one of the most biodiverse species of plants and animals, account for just 6.4% of the earth's surface. On a global scale, the wetlands and freshwater ecosystems are under pressure and are seeing declining species diversity. Freshwater biodiversity has not been part of the ongoing mainstream conservation efforts and has been largely ignored. This is in part due to invasive human activities, pollution, climate change, deforestation, habitat destruction and degradation, the introduction of alien competing species, and excessive consumption. This chapter gives a broad overview of the current scenario of declining freshwater species biodiversity and threats to vulnerable aquatic ecosystems. Delineation of biodiversity hotspots, adoption of a proactive approach, and focused conservation efforts towards freshwater ecosystems are some of the suggested remedial measures to address this global problem.