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Saunders, D.L., Meeuwig, J.J. and Vincent, A.C. (2002)
Freshwater protected areas: strategies for conservation
Title: Freshwater protected areas: strategies for conservation
Authors: Saunders, D.L., Meeuwig, J.J. and Vincent, A.C.
Journal: Conservation biology
Year: 2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.99562.x
Species or groups: NA
Other sources of evidence: NA
Abstract: Freshwater species and habitats are among the most threatened in the world. One way in which this growing conservation concern can be addressed is the creation of freshwater protected areas. Here, we present three strategies for freshwater protected‐area design and management: whole‐catchment management, natural‐flow maintenance, and exclusion of non‐native species. These strategies are based on the three primary threats to fresh waters: land‐use disturbances, altered hydrologies, and introduction of non‐native species. Each strategy draws from research in limnology and river and wetland ecology. Ideally, freshwater protected areas should be located in intact catchments, should have natural hydrological regimes, and should contain no non‐native species. Because optimal conservation conditions are often difficult to attain, we also suggest alternative management strategies, including multiple‐use modules, use of the river continuum concept, vegetated buffer strips, partial water discharges, and eradication of exotic species. Under some circumstances it may be possible to focus freshwater conservation efforts on two key zones: adjacent terrestrial areas and headwaters.
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Fitzsimons, J.A., & Robertson, H.A. (2005)
Freshwater reserves in Australia: directions and challenges for the development of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of protected areas
Title: Freshwater reserves in Australia: directions and challenges for the development of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of protected areas
Authors: Fitzsimons, J.A., & Robertson, H.A.
Journal: Hydrobiologia
Year: 2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1507-4
Species or groups: NA
Other sources of evidence: NA
Abstract: The establishment of a system of protected areas that samples all ecosystems, including freshwater environments,
in a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) manner is regarded as a cornerstone for
the conservation of biodiversity. There have been few quantitative assessments of the comprehensiveness,
adequacy and representativeness of freshwater reserves in Australia. This paper reviews and quantifies the
effect of classification of freshwater ecosystems for conservation planning, the importance of reservation
status and protection measures for developing a CAR reserve system, and aspects of reserve design for
freshwater ecosystems. We propose a strategic and iterative process that incorporates these measures to
assist in the efficient and effective development of freshwater reserve systems worldwide. However, the
provision of suitable water regimes for freshwater reserves presents further ecological and political challenges,
and even adequate reservation of freshwater ecosystems may not conserve constituent biodiversity
without effective management.
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Acreman, M., Hughes, K.A., Arthington, A.H., Tickner, D., & Dueñas, M.A. (2020)
Protected areas and freshwater biodiversity: A novel systematic review distils eight lessons for effective conservation
Title: Protected areas and freshwater biodiversity: A novel systematic review distils eight lessons for effective conservation
Authors: Acreman, M., Hughes, K.A., Arthington, A.H., Tickner, D., & Dueñas, M.A.
Journal: Conservation Letters
Year: 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12684
Species or groups: NA
Other sources of evidence: NA
Abstract: Protected areas are a global cornerstone of biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Yet freshwater biodiversity is continuing to decline rapidly. To date there has been
no formal review of the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving or restoring
biodiversity in rivers, lakes, and wetlands.We present the first assessment using a systematic
review of the published scientific evidence of the effectiveness of freshwater
protected areas. Systematic searches returned 2,586 separate publications, of which
44 provided quantitative evidence comprising 75 case studies. Of these, 38 reported
positive, 25 neutral, and 12 negative outcomes for freshwater biodiversity conservation.
Analysis revealed variable relationships between conservation effectiveness and
factors such as taxa assessed, protected area size and characteristics, International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area category, and ecoregion.
Lack of effectiveness was attributed to many anthropogenic factors, including fishing
(often with a lack of law enforcement), water management (abstraction, dams, and
flow regulation), habitat degradation, and invasive non-native species. Drawing on
the review and wider literature we distil eight lessons to enhance the effectiveness
of protected areas for freshwater biodiversity conservation. We urge policymakers,
protected area managers, and those who fund them to invest in well-designed research
and monitoring programs and publication of evidence of protected area effectiveness.
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Suski, C.D., & Cooke, S.J. (2007)
Conservation of aquatic resources through the use of freshwater protected areas: opportunities and challenges
Title: Conservation of aquatic resources through the use of freshwater protected areas: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Suski, C.D., & Cooke, S.J.
Journal: Biodiversity and Conservation
Year: 2007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9060-7
Species or groups: NA
Other sources of evidence: NA
Abstract: Freshwater environments are currently experiencing an alarming decline in biodiversity. As a result, scientists and managers must look for alternative management techniques to protect these aquatic systems. One such option that has potential to protect freshwater environments from numerous threats is the use of freshwater protected areas (FPAs). FPAs are portions of the freshwater environment partitioned to minimize disturbances and allow natural processes to govern populations and ecosystems. While similar conservation practices are well established in the terrestrial and marine environments, the use of FPAs for conservation of freshwater environments has been relatively slow. Despite this, numerous examples exist in which FPAs have been incorporated into successful management approaches for freshwater environments. In this paper, we outline some of the past success stories where FPAs have been used to protect freshwater environments, discuss some of the reasons that this technique has not proliferated to the same degree as marine protected areas, and present some of the challenges that managers and scientists must overcome if they wish to implement FPAs. We recommend that the term Freshwater Protected Area be adopted to such conservation efforts, thereby standardizing terminology and facilitating literature searches and dissemination of research findings. Furthermore, we encourage freshwater scientists, conservationists and managers to develop and implement FPAs in innovative and creative situations thereby permitting the growth of the research base for this valuable conservation technique.
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Title: Climate change: challenges facing freshwater protected area planning in Australia
Authors: Nevill, J.
Journal: NA
Year: 2007
DOI: NA
Species or groups: NA
Other sources of evidence: NA
Abstract: Temperatures are rising and rainfall declining over much of the Australian continent. Unfortunately,
rainfall declines are most pronounced in areas where water resources are most heavily used. In many
places the waters of our natural ecosystems have already been over-allocated for human use. Declining
rainfall leads to greater declines in stream flow, and this, combined with over-allocation, is placing
freshwater ecosystems under extreme pressure. State government stream flow management is now in
sharp focus, highlighting issues of ethics, competency and compliance.
Against this alarming situation, Australia’s network of freshwater protected areas fails to meet
standards and commitments set many years ago in both international agreements and Commonwealth
and State government policy, and little is being done to remedy the situation. In particular, our present
system is not comprehensive, adequate nor representative. Urgent action is required.
Amongst the recommendations of this paper, five are particularly important:
• Immediate action should be taken to expand Australia’s freshwater protected areas in a way which
is both ethically responsible and systematic.
• A comprehensive national inventory of inland aquatic ecosystems should be developed, leading to
a conservation status assessment of these ecosystems.
• Using information already at hand, action should be taken immediately to increase protection of
the nation’s freshwater ecosystems of highest natural value. Particular attention should be given to
rivers and subterranean ecosystems, partly through the creation of an Australian Heritage Rivers
System.
• A precautionary approach should be applied immediately to the management of the cumulative
impacts of small scale catchment developments, with the aim of capping water infrastructure
development well before the catchment enters a crisis situation.
• Weak development approval planning provisions which are failing to protect important natural
values should be replaced with stronger requirements for decision-makers to “seek to protect”
identified catchment natural values.
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