B - Convention on Biological Diversity

IV. Inland Water and Wetland EcosystemsBI.I. IntroductionAquatic and wetland ecosystems serve as natural water reservoirs that are very vulnerable to changes in thehydrological regime and insensitive anthropogenic interventions. They cover a substantial part of the Earth’ssurface and have a number of unique functions. They stabilize the landscape and constitute key ecosystems formaintaining biodiversity, as they provide irreplaceable habitats for many fauna and fl ora species.On the basis of the <strong>Convention</strong> on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats (theRamsar <strong>Convention</strong>), aquatic and wetland ecosystems can be defined as areas characterized by the presence ofstatic or flowing water, whether natural or artifi cial, water courses, reservoirs, lakes, fi sh ponds, pools, springareas, peat bogs, and fens and raised bogs. Valley meadows adjacent to rivers and banks, which condition isdetermined to a substantial degree by the dynamics of surface waters and groundwater, must be considered tobe an integral part of water ecosystems.In the CBD’s programme of work on inland water biological diversity, the emphasis is given to the integratedmanagement of water ecosystems which would result in the use of valuable water sources on the basis ofthe sustainability principle and with the aim to conserve biodiversity. The basis for conservation of aquaticbiodiversity lies in the ecosystem approach which includes monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity of wateraquatic ecosystems, impact assessment, prevention of pressures in the framework of river basins and effectiveinternational cooperation in the area of management of water sources (see the Ecosystem Approach chapter).II.III.IV.V.VI.VII.VIII.IX.X.II. Current ConditionsXI.Both in the Czech Republic and throughout Europe, aquatic and wetland habitats are the most affected anddegraded type of ecosystems. Their biodiversity is endangered more than biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems.Communities of aquatic and wetland ecosystems, phyto/zooplankton, phyto/zoobentos, macrophytocenosesand ichtyocenoses are rarely found in their natural species composition. A majority of vertebrates, amphibians,reptiles, water birds and mammals bound on water belong amongst endangered species. Of the total of 61species of fish and cyclostomata, 19 species (31 %) were protected in the Czech Republic in 2003 pursuant to ActNo. 114/1992 Coll., on Protection of Nature and the Landscape. Habitats that are closely bound on water includethe vegetation of water courses and reservoirs, wetland and river bank vegetation and vegetation of spring areasand peat bogs, and, in relation to semi-aquatic ecosystems, vegetation of damp and flooded meadows, bank treespecies and floodplain forests. Groundwater ecosystems provide habitats particularly for bacteriocenoses.The territory of the Czech Republic creates the European watershed of three river systems of the Elbe, theDanube and the Odra river, and its water bearing is fully dependent on precipitation. Spring areas, dead andunused arms and alluvial waters are an integral part of river systems. Five glacial lakes are located in theŠumava Mountains. Only minor peat bog lakes are found in other mountain areas. Also given the presenceof karst areas and territories with lack of water in the Czech Republic, specific aquatic habitats can be found,such as underground karst rivers, periodical surface rivers and other temporary aquatic habitats. There are onlya negligible number of natural aquatic ecosystems with still water in the Czech Republic. Their functions from89