Future of Freshwater Ecosystems in a 1.5°C Warmer World

Freshwater ecosystems are highly vulnerable to global warming because 1) their chief drivers, water quality and flow regimes, sensitive atmospheric warming, 2) they already extremely threatened by a wide range of interacting anthropogenic pressures. Even relatively modest 1.5°C poses considerable threat freshwater the many critical services these provide people. Shifts in composition function widely anticipated with adverse consequences for ecosystem services, including those underpinning food security. While extent severity effects is likely be significantly reduced if limited 1.5°C, concerted efforts implement recognised priorities policy management required mitigate unavoidable impacts reduce likelihood perverse outcomes climate mitigation adaptation other sectors—all which rely on fresh supply. provision water, must therefore considered first foremost when developing implementing any action.