Freshwater Conservation

Freshwater species

Habitat modification, overuse, damming, pollution, invasive species, and climate warming are all reasons why ——————- are declining so rapidly.

dams, biodiversity

Fragment rivers, block migration, alter temperature, trap sediment, and create methane are all as a result of ———- and reduce ————-.

recharge zone

Area where water infiltrates the ground to replenish aquifers.

Freshwater ecosystems

—- ——— are the most threatened on earth because they face intense pressure from withdrawals, pollution, dams, overfishing, invasive species, and warming.

Agriculture

—- is the biggest global user of freshwater at 80% of usage.

sediment

—- are important for river health because they replenish downstream habitats, deltas, floodplains, and supports nutrient cycling.

groundwater overdraft

extracting water faster than recharge, causing aquifer collapse and land subsidence.

urban

—- surfaces are harmful for freshwater because they are impermeable surfaces that result in runoff, pollution, flash flooding, and groundwater depletion.

riparian zones

vegetated buffers along rivers that filter pollutants and stabilize banks

climate change

— ———- in freshwater leads to water water which lowers dissolved oxygen causing fish mortality, algal blooms, and altered streamflow.

Wetlands

filter pollutants, store water, recharge groundwater, and support high biodiversity.

agricultural expansion

— ——- leads to increased withdrawals, chemical runoff, and loss of riparian habitat all things that affect rivers.

Water scarcity

Water infrastructure projects/water withdrawals, climate change, privatization/commercialization, poverty, polluted water sources are all causes of ———————

Water diversion

— ——— causes water conflicts, environmental destruction, droughts, high energy usage, local water loss, and civilization decline.

freshwater solutions

Some ———- ———- include: closing the loop, reducing the demand, improving water quality, and freshwater aquatic conservation/restoration.