TheRACEfor freshwater biodiversity: Essential actions to create the social context for meaningful conservation

Abstract

AbstractFreshwater habitats are experiencing two to three times the rate of biodiversity loss of terrestrial and marine habitats. Asstatus quoactions within the conservation community are not reversing the downward trajectory for freshwater biodiversity, we propose four actions to shift the narrative such that freshwater biodiversity is no longer invisible and overlooked, but rather explicitly recognized, valued, and protected: (1)Reshapeour relationship with freshwater habitats and biodiversity, (2)Appreciateindigenous knowledge systems relating to freshwater habitats, (3)Connectscience more directly to action, and (4)Elevatefreshwater habitats as a unique “domain” that requires explicit recognition in conservation planning (RACE). We highlight roles that both freshwater scientists and the wider conservation community can play in implementing the four actions such that the “RACE” can be won.