strategy
Protecting aquatic ecosystems
Context:
Terrestrial ecosystems are all water dependent, although water provides different functions - if not as habitat, then as a matrix, nutrient carrier and cooler. The river flow needed for healthy riverine ecosystems is often known and referred to as "environmental flow". The water needs of most other ecosystems is less well known. Seen from a global perspective, the terrestrial ecosystems in the temperate and tropical zones represent massive consumptive water use, representing almost 90 percent of the whole evapotranspiration (or "green water" flow) from the continents. Seen from a catchment perspective, protection of ecosystem water needs basically demands a sharing of the precipitation over the catchment between humans and ecosystems. At the smaller scale, management of ecosystem water needs tends to be "place-based" and linked to endemic species, biodiversity etc.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.
Narrower:
Conserving aquatic habitatsProtecting desert wetlandsConserving pond biodiversityProtecting wetland ecosystemsProtecting aquatic ecosystems to allow development of aquaculture projects Facilitates:
Protecting marine animals Facilitated by:
Financing water researchFinancing water researchMonitoring use of agrochemicalsApplying polluter-pays principleIdentifying rare aquatic speciesEnsuring integrity of water wellsMonitoring water pollution sourcesControlling noxious aquatic speciesSetting standards for water qualityEstablishing water monitoring networksRehabilitating important catchment areasRehabilitating important catchment areasExpanding laws to control spills in waterDeveloping biotechnology for waste treatmentControlling water quality for inland fisheriesStrengthening national water research networksExpanding education on water quality protectionRecycling municipal waste water and solid wasteRecycling municipal waste water and solid wasteUsing risk assessment techniques for decision-makingEstablishing protected areas in groundwater rechargePreventing pollution of aquifers by toxic substancesAvoiding diffuse pollution of agricultural chemicalsUsing traditional methods for water pollution controlDeveloping biotechnology for production of fertilizersUsing precautionary approach to minimize water pollutionUsing best practicable technology for managing landfillsExpanding North-South twinning of water research centresExpanding North-South twinning of water research centresImproving ability to identify potential water supply sourcesUsing agricultural practices that do not degrade groundwaterMitigating salt water intrusion into aquifers on small islandsStrengthening local authority capabilities on water protectionRehabilitating agricultural lands for agricultural productivityImproving national capabilities for the protection of water qualityMonitoring water quality threatened by toxic materials storage sitesImproving land use practices to prevent land degradation and erosionStrengthening legal requirements for environmental impact assessmentsPreparing national plans for water resource protection and conservationImproving laws to control long range atmospheric transport of pollutantsStrengthening laws on pollution monitoring of national and transboundary watersRequiring environmental assessment of development projects likely to affect water qualityControlling industrial effluents with precautionary measures based on life-cycle analysis References:
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: Protection of Water Resources and Aquatic Systems Subjects:
Geography → EcologyHydrology → Water
Societal Problems → Protection
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
