River restoration and biodviersity report

A new report published by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) UK identifies the importance of river restoration for biodiversity.

It recognises that:

‘Historically, the conservation movement has paid relatively little attention to rivers. Various types of wetland are very well represented in protected areas, but rivers themselves are hard to conserve in this way, not least because they are often the focus of so much human activity. Yet, rivers are of huge importance for the biodiversity they hold, and the ecosystem services they deliver’. 

The key messages of the report are: 

• Healthy rivers are important for people and nature, but much historic damage has caused serious problems that now need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
• River restoration is important for achieving biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
• Working with nature allows us to achieve many otherwise conflicting objectives.
• River restoration, working with natural processes and natural flood management, is a cost-effective response to changing climate.

To download the report, click here.