Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems has suffered heavily decline in recent decades. Although, we are aware of these processes, further decreases in valuable ecosystems and the biodiversity therein are occurring in our neighbourhoods. Aquatic ecosystems are some of the fastest disappearing habitats on Earth. Various human pressures on aquatic ecosystems have posed a permanent threat despite the regulations and numerous attempts to protect them. However, the conservation of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity is not just our obligation to future generations but also a strategic issue that can influence our quality of living. With reduced biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, their resilience decreases and vulnerability to various pressures increases. Their self-purifying capacity and ability to mitigate extreme events, such as floods, are also reduced. The consequences of climate changes also include altered hydrological regimes of superficial and underground freshwaters, which can fatally influence the citizens living in their catchment areas. The conservation of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems depends on their suitable management, which could also solve several issues on flood risk mitigation and drinking water supply. We would like to gather contributions dealing with different aspects of biodiversity of freshwaters and including suggestions for their proper management to reach conservation goals and enhance human well-being at the same time.  

Dr. Igor Zelnik
Prof. Dr. Mateja Germ
Guest Editors

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• biodiversity
• rivers
• lakes
• wetlands
• springs
• streams
• groundwater
• ponds
• macrophytes
• macroinvertebrates
• diatoms
• algae