Global Analysis of Durable Policies for Free-Flowing River Protections

Freshwater ecosystems are poorly represented in global networks of protected areas. This situation underscores an urgent need for the creation, application, and expansion durable (long-term enforceable) protection mechanisms free-flowing rivers that go beyond conventional area planning. To address this need, we must first understand where what types protections exist explicitly maintain integrity rivers, as well efficacy such policy types. Through analysis in-depth literature review, our study identifies three main used protections: (1) River Conservation Systems; (2) Executive Decrees Laws; (3) Rights Rivers. We found globally only eight counties have national river conservation systems while seven countries executive decrees similar policies to halt dam construction, Rivers movements quickly growing importance, relative other Despite current extent being insufficient tackle freshwater biodiversity crises facing world’s they do provide useful frameworks guide creation protections. Ultimately, act on calls protections, be tailored their individual social ecological geographies.