Explore research activities in the Biodiversity Challenges theme related to freshwater ecosystems. Names shown indicate authors or co-authors involved from the Centre of Conservation and Restoration Science.
Navigate to more Biodiversity Challenges research activities: All | Marine | Terrestrial
Habitat Degradation
Habitat degradation, including change, fragmentation and loss, is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Species and ecosystems respond differently to type and intensity of habitat degradation, which changes availability and quality of living space.
Projects
Evaluating the landscape-scale benefits of sustainable urban drainage systems for freshwater biodiversity
The impact of flicker or pulsating shadow effects, caused by wind turbines, on Atlantic salmon
Tarland & Beltie Burn Restoration
Publications
Pollution
The natural environment is exposed to multiple pollutants. Some of these have only recently been perceived as potential threats to species, for example plastic, noise and light.
Projects
Riparian noise and environmental quality in urban freshwater ecosystems
Effects of anthropogenic underwater noise on a keystone freshwater organism
Publications
Climate Change
Human-caused climate change is driving both long-term and rapid changes in temperature, weather-patterns and the chemistry of aquatic and terrestrial environments. Biodiversity is susceptible to these changes and their consequences, but can also help deliver solutions at local and global scales.
Projects
Publications
Non-Native Species
Patterns of species’ dispersal and establishment around the globe have changed dramatically in recent history, caused by human activity. Receiving ecosystems may be disrupted in various ways by the introduction of novel species.
Projects
Publications
Over-Exploitation
In the last 50 years, the human population has more than doubled, increasing the pressure on the environment to provide food and materials. Over-exploitation happens when more individuals are removed from a population than are replaced naturally, risking species’ current viability and their benefits for future generations.
Projects
Publications
Antimicrobial Resistance
Pharmaceutical pollution contaminates the environment and can result in resistance to antimicrobials used for the control of microorganisms (including bacteria and viruses). The pathways that pharmaceuticals take to enter the environment and cause antimicrobial resistance are not sufficiently well understood.
Projects
Publications
Zoonosis
Zoonosis is any disease that is transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans, for example rabies infection. Habitat degradation and human encroachment into wild landscapes increases the contact between wild animals and people and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
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Publications