Endangered Amazonia. Water and its aquatic ecosystems: the foundation of the ecological integrity of the Amazon
Publication link: https://aguasamazonicas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Water-and-its-aquatic-ecosystems.pdf
Publication Year: 2025
SUMMARY
The Amazon basin is the largest and most diverse freshwater system inthe planet. Its rivers, lakes, and wetlands regulate the regional and global climate, support the world’s greatest freshwater biodiversity, and are an essential source of food, culture, and well-being for millions of people. However, these ecosystems face increasing pressures: dams, deforestation, pollution, and climate change threaten their ecological integrity and jeopardize their resilience. Maintaining the functionality and connectivity of Amazonian aquatic ecosystems is not only an environmental priority but also an indispensable condition for the region’s water, food, and cultural security.
In this article, ecological integrity is defined through an index that integrates information on biodiversity, connectivity, and environmental quality to identify the state of ecosystems and determine whether they are healthy or require urgent conservation, management, or restoration actions.
Authors: Encalada A , Benítez S , Varese M, Alianza Aguas Amazónicas
Available in: Endangered Amazonia, COICA 2025