Article

Freshwater Biodiversity Toolbox

Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation & Monitoring

Freshwater biodiversity is critically threatened and yet has received less attention than marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Monitoring both freshwater ecosystems and species is essential to understand their current conservation status and how successful any conservation actions already undertaken have been. There is a need for systematic conservation planning and monitoring in order to properly evaluate ecosystem function and management outcomes. This broad intervention includes any assessment or monitoring of any freshwater habitat (i.e., lake, wetland, river) experiencing a variety of anthropogenic and environmental threats. The syntheses review common indicators to use (i.e., water quality metrics, indicator species), current monitoring methods, their success and failures, and future recommendations.

Rating:
CEESAT scoring varied widely for this intervention; 18 syntheses scored poorly in across all elements but 6 syntheses had moderate to high scores. Five syntheses scored Green in multiple elements such as demonstrating a systematic search strategy, use of conventionally published and grey literature, detailed eligibility criteria, and thorough consideration of limitations regarding both the review process and literature itself. Theis et al. (2020) received two Gold ratings for the conduct of the search strategy and their consideration of limitations regarding both the review process and literature itself. Most syntheses in this intervention scored well according to RASCAT. Syntheses commonly scored poorly in only two elements; the similarity of the reviewed climates in comparison to Canada's and failure to provide consideration of implications, practical advice, or recommendations for decision-makers.

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