Pollution, water alteration and infrastructure degrade aquatic habitats

Freshwater and coastal ecosystems are changed by water extraction, flow regulation, dams, channel modification, sedimentation, nutrient and chemical pollution, and infrastructure that blocks movement or alters habitat. The IPBES Global Assessment identifies land and sea use change, pollution and direct resource use as interacting drivers of biodiversity loss.

Threatened fish, amphibians, reptiles, molluscs and other aquatic animals can be harmed when water quality, temperature, flow timing, substrate, spawning access or wetland extent no longer meets their life-cycle requirements.

This issue covers physical and chemical degradation of freshwater and coastal systems. Direct fishing mortality and climate change are addressed separately.