Freshwater conservation planning: an introduction

Abstract

1. Global freshwater biodiversity is facing rapid decline. Freshwater conservation planning aims to reduce this decline by efficiently prioritising conservation actions. 2. This Special Issue presents nine papers from five continents demonstrating a wide range of approaches to spatial prioritisation for freshwater conservation and two papers that explore directions for research and implementation in conservation planning. 3. Despite an emphasis on running waters and data-rich regions, these papers collectively offer a wide range of perspectives for advancing the science and practice of systematic conservation planning across freshwater realms, including data-poor regions and standing-water ecosystems.