Your search found 19 records
1 O’Brien, G.; O’Keefe, P.; Rose, J.; Wisner, B. 2006. Climate change and disaster management. Disasters, 30(1):64-80.
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: P 7486 Record No: H038198)
2 Dickens, Chris; Smakhtin, V.; McCartney, Matthew; O’Brien, G.; Dahir, L. 2019. Defining and quantifying national-level targets, indicators and benchmarks for management of natural resources to achieve the sustainable development goals. Sustainability, 11(2): 1-15. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020462]
Natural resources management ; Resource conservation ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Water resources ; Water quality ; Stakeholders ; Environmental monitoring ; Indicators ; Strategies
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049054)
(352 KB)
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are high on the agenda for most countries of the world. In its publication of the SDGs, the UN has provided the goals and target descriptions that, if implemented at a country level, would lead towards a sustainable future. The IAEG (InterAgency Expert Group of the SDGs) was tasked with disseminating indicators and methods to countries that can be used to gather data describing the global progress towards sustainability. However, 2030 Agenda leaves it to countries to adopt the targets with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. At present, guidance on how to go about this is scant but it is clear that the responsibility is with countries to implement and that it is actions at a country level that will determine the success of the SDGs. Reporting on SDGs by country takes on two forms: i) global reporting using prescribed indicator methods and data; ii) National Voluntary Reviews where a country reports on its own progress in more detail but is also able to present data that are more appropriate for the country. For the latter, countries need to be able to adapt the global indicators to fit national priorities and context, thus the global description of an indicator could be reduced to describe only what is relevant to the country. Countries may also, for the National Voluntary Review, use indicators that are unique to the country but nevertheless contribute to measurement of progress towards the global SDG target. Importantly, for those indicators that relate to the security of natural resources security (e.g., water) indicators, there are no prescribed numerical targets/standards or benchmarks. Rather countries will need to set their own benchmarks or standards against which performance can be evaluated. This paper presents a procedure that would enable a country to describe national targets with associated benchmarks that are appropriate for the country. The procedure builds on precedent set in other countries but in particular on a procedure developed for the setting of Resource Quality Objectives in South Africa. The procedure focusses on those SDG targets that are natural resource-security focused, for example, extent of water-related ecosystems (6.6), desertification (15.3) and so forth, because the selection of indicator methods and benchmarks is based on the location of natural resources, their use and present state and how they fit into national strategies.
3 Lynch, A. J.; Baumgartner, L. J.; Boys, C. A.; Conallin, J.; Cowx, I. G.; Finlayson, C. M.; Franklin, P. A.; Hogan, Z.; Koehn, J. D.; McCartney, Matthew P.; O’Brien, G.; Phouthavong, K.; Silva, L. G. M.; Tob, C. A.; Valbo-Jorgensen, J.; Vu, A. V.; Whiting, L.; Wibowo, A.; Duncan, P. 2019. Speaking the same language: can the Sustainable Development Goals translate the needs of inland fisheries into irrigation decisions? Marine and Freshwater Research, 70(9):1211-1228. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19176]
Inland fisheries ; Irrigated farming ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Food security ; Irrigation systems ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Ecosystem services ; Ecological factors ; Social aspects ; Living standards ; Integrated management ; Decision making ; River basins ; Case studies / South East Asia / Australia / Lower Mekong Basin / Murray-Darling Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049308)
(1.36 MB) (1.36 MB)
Irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries both make important contributions to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and wellbeing. Typically, in modern irrigation systems, these components operate independently. Some practices, commonly associated with water use and intensification of crop production can be in direct conflict with and have adverse effects on fisheries. Food security objectives may be compromised if fish are not considered in the design phases of irrigation systems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a framework that can serve as a backdrop to help integrate both sectors in policy discussions and optimise their contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inland fisheries systems do play an important role in supporting many SDG objectives, but these contributions can sometimes be at odds with irrigated agriculture. Using case studies of two globally important river catchments, namely the Lower Mekong and Murray–Darling basins, we highlight the conflicts and opportunities for improved outcomes between irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries. We explore SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as a path to advance our irrigation systems as a means to benefit both agriculture and inland fisheries, preserving biodiversity and enhancing the economic, environmental and social benefits they both provide to people.
4 Dickens, Chris; O’Brien, G.; Stassen, R.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Kleynhans, M.; Rowntree, K.; Graham, M.; Ross-Gillespie, V.; MacKenzie, J.; Wymenga, E.; Mapedza, Everisto; Burnet, M.; Desai, M.; Hean, J. 2018. E-flows for the Upper Niger River and Inner Niger Delta: synthesis report. [Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute for Wetlands International]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 201p.
Environmental flows ; Rivers ; Deltas ; Water resources ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Monitoring ; Risk assessment ; Ecosystem services ; Habitats ; Invertebrates ; Birds ; Manatees ; Fisheries ; Floodplains ; Dams ; Sediment ; Water quality ; Flow discharge ; Vegetation ; Indicators ; Geomorphology ; Living standards ; Social aspects ; Ecological factors ; Hydrodynamics ; Modelling ; Case studies / West Africa / Mali / Niger / Upper Niger River / Inner Niger Delta / Bani River
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049434)
(13.80 MB)
5 Dickens, Chris; O’Brien, G.; Stassen, R.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Kleynhans, M.; Rowntree, K.; Graham, M.; Ross-Gillespie, V. 2018. E-flows for the Upper Niger and Inner Niger Delta: specialist reports - hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology and water quality. [Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute for Wetlands International]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 210p.
Environmental flows ; Hydrology ; Hydraulics ; Geomorphology ; Water quality ; River basins ; Deltas ; Water resources ; Freshwater ; Surface water ; Groundwater ; Flow discharge ; Flooding ; Catchment areas ; Dams ; Sediment ; Habitats ; Risk assessment ; Climate change ; Hydrodynamics ; Land use ; Mining ; Population density ; Models / West Africa / Mali / Upper Niger River / Inner Niger Delta / Bani River / Sankarani River / Dialakoro / Gouala / Koulikoro / Ke Macina / Djenne / Koryoume
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049435)
(16.40 MB)
6 Dickens, Chris; O’Brien, G.; Stassen, R.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Kleynhans, M.; Rowntree, K.; Graham, M.; Ross-Gillespie, V.; MacKenzie, J.; Wymenga, E.; Mapedza, Everisto; Burnet, M.; Desai, M.; Hean, J. 2018. E-Flows for the Upper Niger River and Inner Niger Delta: specialist response report for vegetation, fish, invertebrates and birds. [Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute for Wetlands International]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 104p.
Environmental flows ; Vegetation ; Fisheries ; Invertebrates ; Birds ; Ecosystem services ; Aquatic environment ; Habitats ; Biodiversity ; Rivers ; Deltas ; Living standards ; Public health ; Waterborne diseases ; Risk assessment ; Malaria ; Onchocerciasis ; Parasites ; Pathogens ; Vectors ; Sanitation ; Water resources ; Water quality ; Floodplains ; Sediment ; Modelling / West Africa / Upper Niger River / Inner Niger Delta
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049436)
(5.46 MB)
7 Coates, D.; Connor, R.; Dickens, Chris; Villholth, Karen; Dhot, N.; O’Brien, G.. 2021. Valuation of hydraulic infrastructure. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021: valuing water. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.43-54.
Hydraulic structures ; Infrastructure ; Valuation ; Dams ; Reservoirs ; Aquifers ; Water storage ; Water supply ; Economic viability ; Cost benefit analysis ; Resilience ; Risk assessment ; Decision making ; Social aspects ; Environmental factors
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050379)
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/in/documentViewer.xhtml?v=2.1.196&id=p::usmarcdef_0000375724&file=/in/rest/annotationSVC/DownloadWatermarkedAttachment/attach_import_db06f7c4-b33f-4833-be56-bbf54afdee3f%3F_%3D375724eng.pdf&locale=en&multi=true&ark=/ark:/48223/pf0000375724/PDF/375724eng.pdf#page=58
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050379.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050379.pdf
(1.03 MB) (15.9 MB)
8 Dickens, Chris; O’Brien, G.. 2021. Water quality: standards and indicators. In Filho, W. L.; Azul, A. M.; Brandli, L.; Salvia, A. L.; Wall, T. (Eds.). Clean water and sanitation. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. 11p. (Online first) (Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70061-8_111-1]
Water quality standards ; Indicators ; Monitoring ; Drinking water ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation ; Water users ; Ecosystems ; Databases
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051028)
(0.46 MB)
9 Wade, M.; Kaizer, A.; McNeil, T.; O’Brien, G.. 2022. Digital technology to construct 3D hydrodynamic models for monitoring environmental flows. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation. 15p.
Environmental flows ; Monitoring ; Digital technology ; Hydrodynamics ; Models ; Rivers ; Ecosystems ; Habitats ; Discharges / South Africa / Crocodile River
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051645)
(1.18 MB)
To support the implementation of environmental flows (e-flows), we piloted a three-dimensional digital modeling approach to monitor the changes in river ecosystems. A high-resolution 3D model of study sites in the Crocodile River, South Africa, was constructed and used to test its utility and value to monitor changes in river ecosystem structure over time. The initial demonstration of the approach shows highly detailed 3D models of nine tracks across the study sites. The output represents the velocity-depth and bathymetry variability of each site in 3D. The dataset successfully demonstrated the potential value of adopting the approach for e-flow implementation to monitor the habitat dynamism to support the timely management of river health. In the next phase, this assessment will integrate the 3D modeling approach into a hydrodynamic modeling framework to investigate dynamic relationships between flow-ecosystem and ecosystem services.
10 Dickens, Chris; O'Brien, G.. 2020. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: inception report. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 64p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 1) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.216]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Ecosystem services ; Groundwater ; Surface water ; Water quality ; Ecotoxicology ; Hydrology ; Ecological factors ; Fish ; Habitats ; Macroinvertebrates ; Riparian vegetation ; Sustainability ; Risk ; Models / Botswana / Zimbabwe / South Africa / Mozambique / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051950)
(2.56 MB)
11 Dickens, Chris; O'Brien, G.; Magombeyi, Manuel; Mukuyu, Patience; Ndlovu, B.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Kleynhans, N. 2020. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: basin report. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 134p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 2) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.217]
Environmental flows ; River basin management ; Transboundary waters ; Water requirements ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Water resources ; Water use ; Groundwater recharge ; Surface water ; Water availability ; Water quality ; Water policies ; Climate change ; Rainfall ; Water supply ; Water balance ; Water demand ; Hydrology ; Ecosystems ; Tributaries ; Runoff ; Drought ; Flooding ; Infrastructure ; Dams ; Power plants ; Catchment areas ; Aquifers ; Boreholes / Botswana / Mozambique / South Africa / Zimbabwe / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051951)
(4.87 MB)
12 Dickens, Chris; Mukuyu, Patience; Ndlovu, B.; O'Brien, G.; Stassen, R.; Magombeyi, Manuel. 2020. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: from vision to management. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 104p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 3) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.218]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Ecosystem services ; Water purification ; Cultural services ; Livelihoods ; Risk ; Ecological factors ; Habitats / Zimbabwe / South Africa / Mozambique / Botswana / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051952)
(3.61 MB)
13 Dickens, Chris; O'Brien, G.; Stassen, R.; van der Waal, B.; MacKenzie, J.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Villholth, Karen; Ebrahim, Girma; Magombeyi, Manuel; Wepener, V.; Gerber, S.; Kaiser, A.; Diedericks, G. 2021. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: specialist literature and data review. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 252p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 4) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.219]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Hydrology ; Groundwater ; Water quality ; Geomorphology ; Hydraulics ; Vegetation ; Fish ; Aquatic invertebrates / Botswana / Mozambique / South Africa / Zimbabwe / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051953)
(9.48 MB)
14 O'Brien, G.; Dickens, Chris; Stassen, R.; Erasmus, H.; Herselman, S.; van der Waal, B.; Wepener, V.; Pearson, H.; LeRoux, H.; Villholth, Karen; Ebrahim, Girma; Magombeyi, Manuel; Riddell, E.; Petersen, R. 2022. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: present ecological state - drivers of ecosystem change. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 296p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 5) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.220]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Ecosystems ; Ecological factors ; Hydrology ; Groundwater ; Surface water ; Hydraulics ; Geomorphology ; Water quality / South Africa / Mozambique / Botswana / Zimbabwe / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051954)
(10.8 MB)
15 O'Brien, G.; Dickens, Chris; Diedericks, G.; Kaiser, A.; Barendze, C.; Pearson, H.; LeRoux, H.; MacKenzie, J.; Gerber, S.; Petersen, R.; Dlamini, V. 2022. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: present ecological state - ecological response to change. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 223p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 6) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.221]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Ecological factors ; Ecosystem services ; Fish ; Macroinvertebrates ; Riparian vegetation ; Livelihoods ; Water quality ; Groundwater ; Surface water / South Africa / Mozambique / Botswana / Zimbabwe / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051955)
(9.22 MB)
16 O'Brien, G.; Dickens, Chris; Wade, M.; Stassen, R.; Diedericks, G.; MacKenzie, J.; Kaiser, A.; van der Waal, B.; Wepener, V.; Villholth, Karen; Ebrahim, Girma; Dlamini, V.; Magombeyi, Manuel. 2022. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: environmental flow determination. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 209p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 7) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.222]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Ecosystem services ; Hydrology ; Fish ; Invertebrates ; Riparian vegetation ; Groundwater ; Water quality ; Ecological factors / Botswana / Zimbabwe / Mozambique / South Africa / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051956)
(5.75 MB)
17 O'Brien, G.; Dickens, Chris; Wade, M.; Stassen, R.; Wepener, V.; Diedericks, G.; MacKenzie, J.; Kaiser, A.; van der Waal, B.; Villholth, Karen; Ebrahim, Girma; Dlamini, V.; Magombeyi, Manuel. 2022. E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: risk of altered flows to the ecosystem services. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 144p. (E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: Report 8) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.223]
Environmental flows ; River basins ; Ecosystem services ; Risk assessment ; Water resources ; Water quality ; Ecological factors ; Fish ; Cultural services ; Models / Botswana / Zimbabwe / Mozambique / South Africa / Limpopo River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051957)
(6.84 MB)
18 Dickens, Chris; Whitney, C.; Luedeling, E.; Dlamini, V.; O'Brien, G.; Greffiths, Ikhothatseng Jacob. 2023. Environmental flows in support of sustainable intensification of agriculture in the Letaba River Basin, South Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 51p. (IWMI Working Paper 205) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.226]
Environmental flows ; Sustainable agriculture ; Sustainable intensification ; Small-scale farming ; Livelihoods ; River basins ; Water resources ; Water management ; Water availability ; Water demand ; Irrigation water ; Irrigated farming ; Subsistence farming ; Crop water use ; Water requirements ; Crop yield ; Ecosystem services ; River flow ; Catchment areas ; Fishing ; Livestock ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Gender ; Women ; Risk ; Rural communities ; Policies ; Food security ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Water rights ; Land rights ; Modelling / South Africa / Letaba River Basin / Limpopo Basin / Prieska / Mahale / Ga-Selwane
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H052105)
(2.47 MB)
This study evaluates the socioecological consequences of the potential trade-offs between maintaining environmental flows (e-flows) and providing water for sustainable subsistence agriculture and livelihoods to the vulnerable human communities living along the lower Great Letaba River in South Africa. Implementation of e-flows is now generally recognized as an essential part of water resources management as they are designed to ensure that sufficient water is retained in a river to protect river ecosystems and all the beneficiaries of services that arise from those ecosystems. Understanding the relationship between e-flows and the use of water for small-scale agriculture is important for the management of trade-offs.
The Letaba River Basin and it's tributary, the Great/Groot Letaba, are located in the eastern part of the Limpopo province in South Africa. This is one of the most important river basins in the region supporting both large-scale commercial and small-scale farmers. The river sustains many vulnerable human communities who depend on the ecosystem services provided by the river. Yet, the water resources of the Letaba River are heavily overutilized due to expanding developments, including upstream dams with associated offtakes mostly for irrigation.
The findings of the study indicate that irrigation water demand from subsistence agriculture in the Great Letaba Basin amounted to around 2 million cubic meters annually with median demand not exceeding 300,000 cubic meters per month. This means that irrigation water demand from smallholder agriculture only amounts to about one-tenth of the estimated e-flow requirement. However, small-scale farmers contend with an increasing crop water gap which limits irrigated agriculture, especially during the dry season. Given the need to sustainably maintain e-flows for ecological purposes, crop water gaps are only likely to increase and compromise the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. With active upstream supplementation of river flows from dams to maintain both environmental and livelihoods-oriented river flows, the crop water gap can be fully eliminated. This supplementation is not assured due to competing uses.
The Letaba River Basin and it's tributary, the Great/Groot Letaba, are located in the eastern part of the Limpopo province in South Africa. This is one of the most important river basins in the region supporting both large-scale commercial and small-scale farmers. The river sustains many vulnerable human communities who depend on the ecosystem services provided by the river. Yet, the water resources of the Letaba River are heavily overutilized due to expanding developments, including upstream dams with associated offtakes mostly for irrigation.
The findings of the study indicate that irrigation water demand from subsistence agriculture in the Great Letaba Basin amounted to around 2 million cubic meters annually with median demand not exceeding 300,000 cubic meters per month. This means that irrigation water demand from smallholder agriculture only amounts to about one-tenth of the estimated e-flow requirement. However, small-scale farmers contend with an increasing crop water gap which limits irrigated agriculture, especially during the dry season. Given the need to sustainably maintain e-flows for ecological purposes, crop water gaps are only likely to increase and compromise the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. With active upstream supplementation of river flows from dams to maintain both environmental and livelihoods-oriented river flows, the crop water gap can be fully eliminated. This supplementation is not assured due to competing uses.
19 Kuehne, L. M.; Dickens, Chris; Tickner, D.; Messager, M. L.; Olden, J. D.; O’Brien, G.; Lehner, B.; Eriyagama, Nishadi. 2023. The future of global river health monitoring. PLOS Water, 2(9):e0000101. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000101]
Rivers ; Environmental health ; Monitoring ; Frameworks ; Freshwater ecosystems ; Biodiversity ; Indicators ; Water quality ; Habitats ; Biology ; Hydrology ; Surface water ; Environmental restoration ; Agreements ; Policies ; Sustainable Development Goals
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052227)
https://journals.plos.org/water/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pwat.0000101&type=printable
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052227.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052227.pdf
(1.33 MB) (1.33 MB)
Rivers are the arteries of human civilisation and culture, providing essential goods and services that underpin water and food security, socio-economic development and climate resilience. They also support an extraordinary diversity of biological life. Human appropriation of land and water together with changes in climate have jointly driven rapid declines in river health and biodiversity worldwide, stimulating calls for an Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater ecosystems. Yet freshwater ecosystems like rivers have been consistently under-represented within global agreements such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Even where such agreements acknowledge that river health is important, implementation is hampered by inadequate global-scale indicators and a lack of coherent monitoring efforts. Consequently, there is no reliable basis for tracking global trends in river health, assessing the impacts of international agreements on river ecosystems and guiding global investments in river management to priority issues or regions. We reviewed national and regional approaches for river health monitoring to develop a comprehensive set of scalable indicators that can support “top-down” global surveillance while also facilitating standardised “bottom-up” local monitoring efforts. We evaluate readiness of these indicators for implementation at a global scale, based on their current status and emerging improvements in underlying data sources and methodologies. We chart a road map that identifies data and technical priorities and opportunities to advance global river health monitoring such that an adequate monitoring framework could be in place and implemented by 2030, with the potential for substantial enhancement by 2050. Lastly, we present recommendations for coordinated action and investment by policy makers, research funders and scientists to develop and implement the framework to support conservation and restoration of river health globally.
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