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2. Freshwater Ecosystems

Water forms the basis for all life, supports unique life forms, and connects many different ecosystems. Wetland ecosystems - for example, rivers, river basins, catchment areas, underground aquifers, lakes, floodplains, freshwater marshes, peatlands, estuaries, and mangroves - play a central role in the water cycle. They are amongst the world's most productive environments and provide a wide array of benefits for people. Freshwater ecosystems are essential for the health, welfare and safety of people who live in or near them. In addition, many wetlands support important populations of wildlife, including a large number of endangered species.

Yet despite their essential functions and values, freshwater ecosystems are among the world's most threatened places as a result of ongoing drainage, land reclamation, pollution and overexploitation of their resources.

Freshwater consumption is growing everywhere. Competing sectors are increasing their claims on limited water supplies. Trade liberalization and growing industrialization are accelerating the demand for freshwater. An increase in urban settlements is adding to the pressure for large-scale, long-distance river diversions, which has serious implications for freshwater use and nature conservation. Conflicts over freshwater are likely to increase between countries, regions, and localities. And industrialization, rising standards of living, and urbanization will further increase the demand for energy, leading to increasing pressure for the construction of more hydro-electric dams.

WWF's Approach

To maintain the functions and values of freshwater ecosystems, the integrity of the water cycle must be maintained. WWF therefore advocates the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems through a catchment approach - the approach also adopted by the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar).

To address the growing freshwater crisis - in terms of quantity and quality - throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, WWF has adopted the following strategic objectives:

  • Promote conservation of freshwater ecosystems and their processes, emphasizing the catchment approach
  • Develop a holistic approach to freshwater management by integrating ecological and climate realities with basic human needs and cultures
  • Work towards reducing the adverse impacts of external factors (e.g. trade, aid, debt, etc.) on freshwater ecosystems
  • Involve local communities in the management of freshwater ecosystems
  • Develop the 'Living Rivers' concept to provide an integrated structure for WWF's freshwater conservation work.

These objectives will be addressed by a combination of field and policy projects, including initiatives to support and promote international treaties concerning freshwater ecosystems, and WWF's Freshwater Campaign.

Freshwater Campaign

The Freshwater Campaign has two targets:

1. Ensure the long-term ecologically sustainable management of ten ecologically representative and globally important freshwater ecosystems by 2005

2. Identify and develop an effective mechanism to curb the global freshwater crisis by 1999; and from the year 2000 test and implement this mechanism in at least five regions where there is a real threat of conflict over water as a resource, or where scarcity will lead to the large-scale destruction of wetlands.