Freshwater Biodiversity

Freshwater biodiversity is essential to preserve the health and functioning of ecosystems which in turn provide a range of ecosystem services, including water purification, flood regulation, and nutrient cycling. Freshwater biodiversity supports a range of human activities such as fishing, agriculture, and recreation, and provides cultural and aesthetic value. Remote sensing plays an important role in freshwater biodiversity monitoring by providing information about the spatial and temporal dynamics of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and floodplains. EO data is used to monitor changes in the extent and condition of these habitats over time, as well as to identify areas of high biodiversity value or areas that are at risk of degradation or loss. Furthermore, EO is used to monitor key environmental variables which are important for freshwater biodiversity, including water temperature, turbidity, or phenology parameters. These variables can affect the distribution and abundance of freshwater species and can be used to assess the health and functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

EO data fills data gaps in regions where on-the-ground monitoring is challenging due to logistical or political constraints. By providing data on freshwater habitats and environmental variables, remote sensing can support conservation planning, management decisions, and policy development to help protect and sustain freshwater biodiversity. Freshwater biodiversity monitoring  is linked to Water Quality and tools on water availability, since the parameters used are highly relevant for monitoring both freshwater biodiversity and freshwater quality.