Freshwater

Ecosystems are critically important components of Earth’s biological diversity and as the natural capital that sustains human life and well-being. Yet all of the world’s ecosystems show hallmarks of human influence, and many are under acute risks of collapse, with consequences for habitats of species, genetic diversity, ecosystem services, sustainable development and human well-being.

Fresh water : the essence of life is a beautifully and sometimes starkly depicted look at the current state of our Earth's freshwater ecosystems. This latest publication in the CEMEX Conservation Book Series will alert readers to key issues concerning fresh water: its resources, its uses (and abuses), and its future.

This joint report considers the role and impact of environmental factors in securing human safety and sustained development of the eastern Caspian Sea region, including the parts of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan opening onto the Caspian Sea. Its analysis introduces a security perspective as it seeks to identify those environmental, socio-economic and political issues that are profoundly affecting the livelihoods of the populations and could lead to social tensions and instability.

The Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot is known to be one of the most biologically rich and complex regions on Earth. The north-western part of the hotspot (the area that covers all of the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, most of Italy and Malta) supports important river, lake, karst and wetland systems critical for the survival of threatened and restricted range freshwater species.

Freshwater Reviews is a peer-reviewed international journal dedicated to enhancing the understanding of inland waters. The content of review papers is primarily biological but papers covering limnology, policy and socio-economic aspects of fresh waters are acceptable if they are relevant to our understanding or management of fresh water biology.

La présente analyse de situation a été réalisée pour éclairer les réponses à plusieurs résolutions formulées lors du 5 Congrès mondial de la nature en 2012, concernant l'état critique des grands vertébrés d'Afrique centrale et de l'Ouest.

Freshwater habitats and biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula are unique and highly valued for the essential role they play in people's survival, as well as that of its native flora and fauna. This project aims to provide an accurate picture of the present conservation status and distribution of Arabian freshwater species, as well as to identify the main threats that affect them and action requirements for their successful long term conservation.

This situation analysis was undertaken to inform responses to several resolutions made at the 5th World Conservation Congress in 2012 about the plight of large vertebrates in West and Central Africa. It draws on a wide range of information to provide information on the status of these species, important sites, pressures, legislation, the effectiveness of protected areas, and both community-based incentives for conservation and institutional responses.