The Freshwater Trust - Freshwater Conservation Services

The Freshwater Trust Fund will protect and restore freshwater ecosystems. We use science, technology, and incentive-based solutions to change the protection process on an important schedule.

Freshwater ecosystems account for less than 1% of the Earth's surface, but support about one-tenth of the world's species and one-third of the vertebrate 1. These systems also provide a wide range of valuable services to humans. The increased demand for freshwater resources has brought a freshwater crisis to humans and biodiversity. The conservation status and distribution of the freshwater group is not as known as the terrestrial species 3, but there is increasing evidence that the freshwater group is more at risk than land or marine ecosystems 4, 5, 6. Matters 7

Freshwater biodiversity is higher (Box 2.3) compared to the limited fraction of freshwater-covered Earth's surface. For example, freshwater fish account for 40% of all fish and freshwater mollusks account for 25% of all mollusks. Tropical freshwater biodiversity is often the largest - numerous species in northern South America, central and southeast Asia. Worldwide, the number of freshwater species is estimated to be between 9000 and 25000. In addition to several large commercial types, the loss of freshwater biodiversity is closely monitored (box 2.4). According to available data, 20 to 35% of freshwater fish are in danger of weakening or extinction, mainly due to habitat change. Other factors include pollution, invasive species, overfishing and others.