Abstract
AbstractPlans are currently being drafted for the next decade of action on biodiversity—both the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Strategy of the European Union (EU). Freshwater biodiversity is disproportionately threatened and underprioritized relative to the marine and terrestrial biota, despite supporting a richness of species and ecosystems with their own intrinsic value and providing multiple essential ecosystem services. Future policies and strategies must have a greater focus on the unique ecology of freshwater life and its multiple threats, and now is a critical time to reflect on how this may be achieved. We identify priority topics including environmental flows, water quality, invasive species, integrated water resources management, strategic conservation planning, and emerging technologies for freshwater ecosystem monitoring. We synthesize these topics with decades of first‐hand experience and recent literature into 14 special recommendations for global freshwater biodiversity conservation based on the successes and setbacks of European policy, management, and research. Applying and following these recommendations will inform and enhance the ability of global and European post‐2020 biodiversity agreements to halt and reverse the rapid global decline of freshwater biodiversity.
Highlights
Freshwater biodiversity is one of the most diverse and imperiled parts of the biosphere (Reid et al, 2019; Strayer & Dudgeon, 2010; Vörösmarty et al, 2010)
Concerted research and policy actions are needed at a global scale to safeguard freshwater life and its associated ecosystem services, requiring a coherent and far-reaching framework (Darwall et al, 2018; Tickner et al, 2020)
There is an interlinked, parallel process in Europe to adopt a new Biodiversity Strategy post-2020 (European Commission, 2019). This Strategy reflects the commitment by the European Union (EU) to support the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), so these initiatives share many considerations and priorities
Summary
Freshwater biodiversity is one of the most diverse and imperiled parts of the biosphere (Reid et al, 2019; Strayer & Dudgeon, 2010; Vörösmarty et al, 2010). In decision 14/34 (CBD, 2019) parties began drafting a Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) for post-2020 actions to achieve its 2050 vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature” (CBD, 2020). There is an interlinked, parallel process in Europe to adopt a new Biodiversity Strategy (hereafter “Strategy”) post-2020 (European Commission, 2019) This Strategy reflects the commitment by the European Union (EU) to support the CBD, so these initiatives share many considerations and priorities. This review complements and supports Tickner et al (2020) while addressing new issues and highlighting specific approaches for implementation We organize these recommendations according to the structure used in planning the GBF (CBD, 2018, 2019): (1) outcome-oriented elements, (2) enabling conditions and means of implementation, (3) planning and accountability modalities, and (4) cross-cutting approaches and issues (Figures 1 and 2). A more comprehensive history of freshwater conservation in Europe is available elsewhere (e.g., Aubin & Varone 2004)
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