Waterbody connectivity: Linking science and policy for improved waterbody protection

BioScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 75(1), P. 68 - 91

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Connectivity—the flows and exchanges of organisms, materials, energy within among watersheds—is a central paradigm in ecosystem science. Changes those connections have consequences for functioning water quality downstream upstream. Therefore, connectivity is cornerstone federal protection under the United States Clean Water Act (CWA). In present article, we review science connectivity, explain history changes CWA jurisdiction defining waters States, discuss implications US policy, highlight key steps to align that policy with The Sackett v. EPA (2023) Supreme Court decision significantly reduced wetlands headwaters, disregarding their larger, protected waterbodies. To fulfill goals restore maintain chemical, physical, biological integrity U.S. waters, Congress must amend act, fully recognizing multidimensional aquatic ecosystems ultimately incorporating these into ecosystem-level policy.

Language: Английский

Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater and Marine Fishes: Synopsis

Fishes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(12), P. 470 - 470

Published: Nov. 21, 2024

Globally, native migratory and resident fishes are declining from aquatic terrestrial ecosystem degradation resulting physicochemical habitat alteration, migration barriers, over-exploitation, hatchery supplementation, non-native species introductions, the climate crisis [...]

Language: Английский