Despite their limited spatial extent, freshwater ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity, including one-third of all vertebrate species. This biodiversity is declining dramatically: Globally, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrate populations have fallen more than twice as steeply as terrestrial or marine populations. Threats to freshwater biodiversity are well documented but coordinated action to reverse the decline is lacking. We present an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Priority actions include accelerating implementation of environmental flows; improving water quality; protecting and restoring critical habitats; managing the exploitation of freshwater ecosystem resources, especially species and riverine aggregates; preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions; and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. We recommend adjustments to targets and indicators for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals and roles for national and international state and nonstate actors.

Though reported capture fisheries are dominated by marine production, inland fish and fisheries make substantial contributions to meeting the challenges faced by individuals, society, and the environment in a changing global landscape. Inland capture fisheries and aquaculture contribute over 40% to the world’s reported finfish production from less than 0.01% of the total volume of water on earth. These fisheries provide food for billions and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. Herein, using supporting evidence from the literature, we review 10 reasons why inland fish and fisheries are important to the individual (food security, economic security, empowerment), to society (cultural services, recreational services, human health and well-being, knowledge transfer and capacity building), and to the environment (ecosystem function and biodiversity, as aquatic “canaries”, the “green food” movement). However, the current limitations to valuing the services provided by inland fish and fisheries make comparison with other water resource users extremely difficult. This list can serve to demonstrate the importance of inland fish and fisheries, a necessary first step to better incorporating them into agriculture, land-use, and water resource planning, where they are currently often underappreciated or ignored.

Freshwater biodiversity, from fish to frogs and microbes to macrophytes, provides a vast array of services to people. Mounting concerns focus on the accelerating pace of biodiversity loss and declining ecological function within freshwater ecosystems that continue to threaten these natural benefits. Here, we catalog nine fundamental ecosystem services that the biotic components of indigenous freshwater biodiversity provide to people, organized into three categories: material (food; health and genetic resources; material goods), non‐material (culture; education and science; recreation), and regulating (catchment integrity; climate regulation; water purification and nutrient cycling). If freshwater biodiversity is protected, conserved, and restored in an integrated manner, as well as more broadly appreciated by humanity, it will continue to contribute to human well‐being and our sustainable future via this wide range of services and associated nature‐based solutions to our sustainable future.This article is categorized under: Human Water > Value of Water Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Climate is a critical driver of many fish populations, assemblages, and aquatic communities. However, direct observational studies of climate change impacts on North American inland fishes are rare. In this synthesis, we (1) summarize climate trends that may influence North American inland fish populations and assemblages, (2) compile 31 peer-reviewed studies of documented climate change effects on North American inland fish populations and assemblages, and (3) highlight four case studies representing a variety of observed responses ranging from warmwater systems in the southwestern and southeastern United States to coldwater systems along the Pacific Coast and Canadian Shield. We conclude by identifying key data gaps and research needs to inform adaptive, ecosystem-based approaches to managing North American inland fishes and fisheries in a changing climate. El clima es un factor forzante clave para muchas poblaciones y ensambles de peces y de comunidades acuáticas. Sin embargo, son pocos los estudios observacionales acerca de los impactos del cambio climático en los peces de aguas continentales en Norte América. En esta síntesis (1) se resumen las tendencias climáticas que pueden influir en las poblaciones y ensambles de peces de aguas continentales en Norte América, (2) se compilan 31 trabajos arbitrados que documentan los efectos del cambio climático sobre las poblaciones y ensambles de peces de aguas continentales en Norte América y (3) se comentan cuatro casos de estudio que representan una variedad de respuestas observadas que van desde los sistemas de aguas cálidas en el suroeste y sureste de Los EE.UU., hasta los sistemas de aguas frías a lo largo de la costa del Pacífico y del escudo canadiense. Finalmente, se identifican huecos de información clave y necesidades de investigación tendientes a proporcionar información para diseñar enfoques ecosistémicos con el fin de manejar a los peces y a las pesquerías de aguas continentales en Norte América de cara a un clima cambiante. Le climat est un facteur critique pour de nombreuses populations de poissons, bancs et communautés aquatiques. Cependant, les études d'observation directe des impacts des changements climatiques sur les poissons continentaux d'Amérique du Nord sont rares. Dans cette synthèse, nous (1) résumons les tendances climatiques qui peuvent influencer les populations et communautés de poissons continentaux d'Amérique du Nord, (2) compilons 31 études examinées par des pairs sur les effets documentés du changement climatique sur les populations et communautés de poissons continentaux dl'Amérique du Nord, et (3) mettons l'accent sur quatre études de cas représentant une variété de réponses observées allant des systèmes d'eaux chaudes dans le sud-ouest et sud-est des États-Unis aux systèmes d'eau froide le long de la côte du Pacifique et du Bouclier canadien. Nous concluons en identifiant les lacunes en matière de données clés et les besoins de recherche pour informer sur les approches fondées sur les écosystèmes adaptatifs à la gestion des pêches et des poissons continentaux d'Amérique du Nord face au changement climatique.

Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of persistent ecological or social–ecological systems that diverge, dramatically and irreversibly, from prior ecosystem structure and function. Such transformations are occurring at increasing rates across the planet in response to changes in climate, land use, and other factors. Consequently, a dynamic view of ecosystem processes that accommodates rapid, irreversible change will be critical for effectively conserving fish, wildlife, and other natural resources, and maintaining ecosystem services. However, managing ecosystems toward states with novel structure and function is an inherently unpredictable and difficult task. Managers navigating ecosystem transformation can benefit from considering broader objectives, beyond a traditional focus on resisting ecosystem change, by also considering whether accepting inevitable change or directing it along some desirable pathway is more feasible (that is, practical and appropriate) under some circumstances (the RAD framework). By explicitly acknowledging transformation and implementing an iterative RAD approach, natural resource managers can be deliberate and strategic in addressing profound ecosystem change.