Map of global freshwater systems and world distribution of freshwater fish, turtles, amphibians and crocodiles published

May 2008. Over a decade of work and contributions by more than 200 leading conservation scientists, working for World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy, have produced an amazing first-ever comprehensive map and database of the diversity of life in the world's freshwater ecosystems.  The map and associated data are featured in the May issue of the journal BioScience.

Freshwater Ecoregions of the World divides the world's freshwater systems into 426 distinct conservation units, many of which are rich in species but under increasing pressure from human population growth, rising water use, and habitat alteration.  The comprehensive map and database (http://www.feow.org/) are vital tools for conservationists trying to save the world's freshwater ecosystems.

"Freshwater ecosystems are the least studied parts of our natural world - they are like vast unexplored libraries, brimming with information," said World Wildlife Fund's Robin Abell, who headed the study. "Freshwater Ecoregions of the World allows scientists and non-scientists alike to gain a better understanding of this world and help guide efforts to save these systems and species before they are lost."

Freshwater habitats support more than 100,000 species and provide humans with critical services such as drinking water and fisheries. Yet freshwater habitats and species are among the most imperiled in the world and have often been left out of large-scale conservation planning.

The Nature Conservancy's Carmen Revenga said Freshwater Ecoregions of the World could not have come at a more important time as competition for freshwater resources increases around the world. "Our lack of knowledge of freshwater species has hindered our efforts to conserve rivers, lakes and wetlands around the world. Simply having a map that shows areas rich in freshwater species will help us set conservation priorities and begin to put a face to these unique and essential species, which work to keep our freshwater ecosystems alive and running."