Dams and protected areas: Quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of global dam construction within protected areas

Dams and protected areas: Quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of global dam construction within protected areas

Abstract Protected areas (PAs) are an essential tool for freshwater biodiversity conservation. Given past and expected future global increases in dams and impacts of dams on freshwater ecosystems, we document the number of dams existing or planned within PAs, their history, and the extent of PA down...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michele L. Thieme, Dmytro Khrystenko, Siyu Qin, Rachel E. Golden Kroner, Bernhard Lehner, Shalynn Pack, Klement Tockner, Christiane Zarfl, Natalie Shahbol, Michael B. Mascia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-07-01
Series:Conservation Letters
Subjects:
biodiversity
connectivity
dams
degazette
downgrade
downsize
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12719
Description
Summary:Abstract Protected areas (PAs) are an essential tool for freshwater biodiversity conservation. Given past and expected future global increases in dams and impacts of dams on freshwater ecosystems, we document the number of dams existing or planned within PAs, their history, and the extent of PA downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) proximally caused by dams. Globally, at least 1,249 large dams are located within PAs; two‐thirds (907) were built before PA establishment. Additionally, 14% of planned geolocated hydropower dams (509 dams) are located within PAs. PADDD events have also legalized dam construction within existing PAs. Environmental safeguards should preclude development of dams within or adjacent to PAs and prioritize dams within PAs for possible removal and restoration.
ISSN:1755-263X

Similar Items