Update on the State of the World's Lakes
Many of the world's lakes are in crisis. Diversion of lake water for use in irrigation and industry, invasions of exotic plant and animal species, and contamination by toxic substances and nutrients from industry, farms, municipal sewage, and polluted urban runoff are common on a scale today that significantly threatens lake ecosystems on every continent but Antarctica.

In most parts of the world human impacts on lakes are spreading geographically and becoming more intense in quantity and quality due to human population increases and the globalization of trade, which has increased deforestation and the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and has spurred the spread of invasive species.

Fragmented and resource-poor lake management prevents, delays or distorts the efficient planning, implementing and enforcement of comprehensive, participatory watershed-wide lake management plans in both developed and developing countries. Transboundary lakes, particularly ones that cross international boundaries, have particularly difficult obstacles to overcome.

Despite the rich biological resources found in lake basins, programs to protect freshwater biodiversity have lagged far behind programs directed toward terrestrial or marine habitats. There continues to be little focus specifically on lake conservation, despite lakes' critical role in the freshwater cycle. Lakes and their watersheds are dramatically underrepresented both in protected areas and in conservation funding.

Much has been learned by citizens, scientists, government officials and others about how to effectively protect lakes. Now we need to collect these valuable lessons, disseminate them in usable forms and provide the training, support and funding to adapt effective strategies to local environments and successfully protect our lakes.

Why Lakes?
Values

References

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