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threats to aquatic biodiversity |
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by prakriti neupane | 03-02-2017 21:00
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Threats to Aquatic Biodiversity If not now then when ? Human activities are causing species to disappear at an alarming rate. It has been estimated that between 1975 and 2015, species extinction will occur at a rate of 1 to 11 percent per decade. Aquatic species are at a higher risk of extinction than mammals and birds. Losses of this magnitude impact the entire ecosystem, depriving valuable resources used to provide food, medicines, and industrial materials to human beings. While freshwater and marine ecosystems face similar threats, there are some differences regarding the severity of each threat. Runoff from agricultural and urban areas, the invasion of exotic species, and the creation of dams and water diversion have been identified as the greatest challenges to freshwater environments (Allan and Flecker 1993 Scientific American 1997). Overfishing is the greatest threat to marine environments, thus the need for sustainable fisheries has been identified by the Environmental Defense Fund as the key priority in preserving marine biodiversity. Other threats to aquatic biodiversity include urban development and resource-based industries, such as mining and forestry that destroy or reduce natural habitats. In addition, air and water pollution, sedimentation and erosion, and climate change also pose threats to aquatic biodiversity. NPS Categories • Abandoned Mine Drainage • Agriculture • Forestry • Hydromodification & Habitat Alteration • Marinas & Boating • Roads, Highways & Bridges • Urban Areas Low Impact Development • Wetland & Riparian Management Hydromodification activities include channelization and channel modification, dams, and streambank and shoreline erosion. A frequent result of channelization and channel modification activities is a diminished suitability of instream and streamside habitat for fish and wildlife. They can also alter instream patterns of water temperature and sediment type, as well as the rates and paths of sediment erosion, transport and deposition. Hardening of banks along waterways has increased the movement of nonpoint source pollutants from the upper reaches of watersheds into coastal waters. Dams can adversely impact the hydraulic regime, surface water quality and habitat in the stream or river where they are located. The siting, construction and operation of these facilities have a variety of impacts on these systems. The erosion of shorelines and streambanks is a natural process that can have either beneficial or adverse impacts on the creation and maintenance of riparian habitat. Excessively high sediment loads can smother submerged aquatic vegetation, cover shellfish beds and tidal flats, fill in riffle pools, and contribute to increased levels of turbidity and nutrients. WWF's Global Freshwater Programme has a long history of promoting the protection of freshwater habitats. For example, about 75% of new sites included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance since 1999 are the result of WWF?s work at different levels. Working with the Ramsar Convention, national governments, international river basin organizations and other institutions, our work to protect freshwater habitats includes: • Supporting implementation of international agreements and treaties on biodiversity and wetlands • Mainstreaming wetlands conservation into national laws and polices • Promoting payments for environmental services (PES) for financing freshwater ecosystem services • Assessing and increasing the representativeness of freshwater habitats in protected area networks • Establishing freshwater conservation networks • Restoring critical freshwater habitats • Linking freshwater enhancements to protection of downstream estuaries and marine environments such as coral reefs. |
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10 Comments
Yaa sure prayash ☺
Posted 12-02-2017 02:47
Lets all of us work together to promote our rich aqautice diversity.
Posted 11-02-2017 12:58
Thank u astha ☺
Posted 09-02-2017 19:52
Yaa hope so grace ☺
Posted 09-02-2017 19:51
lets unite together for minimizing the threats in aquatic biodiversity. thanks for sharing
Posted 08-02-2017 22:30
thankyou for sharing, helped me know about aquatic biodiversity and its threat. hope everyone puts effort in minimizing it.
Posted 08-02-2017 22:03
Thank you ida ayu
Posted 05-02-2017 21:07
Thank you macha 😊
Posted 05-02-2017 21:06
Great
Posted 05-02-2017 19:01
It's alarming that there are threats to aquatic biodiversity. But, if we all take part in lessening the threat, I am sure it will all work out. So keep up the good work
Posted 05-02-2017 15:30