Global Freshwater Ecosystems Facing Degradation: UN

Recent reports from UN-Water and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reveal alarming trends in the degradation of freshwater ecosystems. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced water management strategies and increased global commitment to protect and restore freshwater resources.

Current State of Freshwater Ecosystems

• The reports highlight that freshwater ecosystems—including rivers, lakes, and aquifers—are severely degraded across half of the world’s countries.
• Factors such as reduced river flows, shrinking surface water bodies, increased pollution, and inadequate water management are contributing to this crisis.
  • River Flow Decrease: River flow has significantly decreased in 402 basins globally, a fivefold increase since 2000. This reduction is driven by climate change and land use alterations, impacting water availability for communities and ecosystems.
  • Lake and Surface Water Loss: Lakes and other surface water bodies are diminishing in 364 basins worldwide. Persistent nutrient pollution, largely due to land clearance and urbanization, is causing harmful algal blooms and low-oxygen conditions in many large lakes.
  • Mangrove Deforestation: Loss of mangroves, crucial for water filtration and carbon sequestration, continues, especially in Southeast Asia. While deforestation rates have stabilized in the past decade, the decline in mangrove cover poses significant risks to coastal communities and biodiversity.

Water Quality Monitoring Deficits

• A significant gap in water quality monitoring persists, with the poorest half of the world contributing less than 3% of global water quality data. Out of nearly 250,000 lake quality measurements, only 4,500 come from these regions. This data scarcity threatens the ability to manage water resources effectively, address droughts, floods, and pollution, and make informed decisions about water management.
• The reports call for enhanced monitoring efforts, including government-funded programs, citizen science contributions, and satellite-based Earth observation technologies. Such measures are critical to bridging the data gap and improving the quality and management of freshwater resources.

Inadequate Progress on Integrated Water Resources Management

The effective management of water resources requires an integrated approach that balances societal and economic needs. However, progress towards Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is insufficient:

• Current Status: Out of 183 countries assessed, 47 have nearly achieved or fully implemented IWRM. Meanwhile, 63 countries need to accelerate their efforts, and 73 countries exhibit only limited capacity for IWRM. At the current pace, sustainable water management will not be achieved until 2049, potentially affecting 3.3 billion people by 2030.
• Recommendations: To address these challenges, the reports recommend unlocking finance through innovative revenue and cost-recovery mechanisms, investing in infrastructure and management, and enhancing institutional capacity. Coordinated action and improved monitoring networks are also essential for effective water management.