Inland water ecosystems
Aerial view of riverine and peatswap forest, Belait River, Brunei. Photographed by Dr Gaden Robinson.
Inland water systems include lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater, springs, cave waters, floodplains, as well as bogs, marshes and swamps.
Inland waters are an important source of food, income and livelihood. They provide a water supply, energy production, transport, recreation and tourism for people. They also help maintain the hydrological balance, retain sediments and nutrients, and provide habitats for various fauna and flora.
However, there are increasing threats to inland water biodiversity. Rapid economic development and population growth are placing much greater demands on the services provided by inland waters. At the same time inland water ecosystems have been transformed by flood prevention measures, and much biodiversity has been lost.
What is the Museum doing to help?
Museum scientists are working on inland water biodiversity in Lake Baikal, the world's largest freshwater lake as well as helping to teach conservationists how to recognise important aquatic plants, insects and animals in the UK, and finding ways to tackle the Chinese mitten crab, an alien invasive species now living in the Thames in London.
Find out more about some of the Museum's inland water ecosystem projects.