Mapping the world’s free-flowing rivers
Картирование свободно текущих рек мира
2019-05-08
SCID: 54.1/mhpabmw5
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dams and reservoirsflow regulationfree-flowing riversriver connectivityriver fragmentation
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Abstract (AI)
Free-flowing rivers (FFRs) support diverse, complex and dynamic ecosystems globally, providing important societal and economic services. Infrastructure development threatens the ecosystem processes, biodiversity and services that these rivers support. Here we assess the connectivity status of 12 million kilometres of rivers globally and identify those that remain free-flowing in their entire length. Only 37 per cent of rivers longer than 1,000 kilometres remain free-flowing over their entire length and 23 per cent flow uninterrupted to the ocean. Very long FFRs are largely restricted to remote regions of the Arctic and of the Amazon and Congo basins. In densely populated areas only few very long rivers remain free-flowing, such as the Irrawaddy and Salween. Dams and reservoirs and their up- and downstream propagation of fragmentation and flow regulation are the leading contributors to the loss of river connectivity. By applying a new method to quantify riverine connectivity and map FFRs, we provide a foundation for concerted global and national strategies to maintain or restore them.
Key Findings
1
A new method for quantifying river connectivity and mapping free-flowing rivers provides a foundation for global and national conservation and restoration strategies.
2
Dams and reservoirs, together with upstream and downstream fragmentation and flow regulation, are the leading causes of lost river connectivity.
3
Only 37% of rivers longer than 1,000 kilometres remain free-flowing end-to-end, while 23% flow uninterrupted to the ocean.
4
The study assesses connectivity across 12 million kilometres of rivers globally and identifies rivers remaining free-flowing throughout their entire length.
5
Very long free-flowing rivers are concentrated in remote Arctic, Amazon, and Congo regions; few remain in densely populated areas, including the Irrawaddy and Salween.
Research Object
The world’s free-flowing rivers (FFRs)
Research Subject
Their longitudinal connectivity status and the extent to which they remain uninterrupted and free-flowing, including the impacts of dams, reservoirs, fragmentation, and flow regulation
Publication Details
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2019-05-08
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