Inland water systems continue to face great havoc
This havoc has continued to become worse over the years. The most affected are
the species biodiversity in inland water systems. Changes in the global climate only seem to
aggravate the loss of inland water systems and their species.
Factors that drive this loss include:
● Land-use changes
● Vegetation clearance
● Drainage
● Agricultural Activities
● Spread of Infrastructure
● Construction of Dams
● Water pollution
The degradation of inland water systems has affected Inland water species, human life, and
agricultural activities. Therefore, there is a need for regulatory and supporting services to
sustain the ecosystem.
This degradation of inland water systems has been heightened by risks
associated with flow regulations and flooding regimes that have affected river habitats.
Inland waters contribute to various benefits in the ecosystem
These include:
● Cultural and spiritual values
● Recreational benefits, e.g., tourism
Rivers have been altered to improve activities such as transport, construction of dams, and
agricultural activities. These changes have greatly affected species in inland water systems,
their habitat, their migratory patterns leading to a decline of exotic species and loss of freshwater biodiversity.
Issues such as pollution and waterlogging problems also affect inland water systems.
Inland water systems comprise swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds, floodplains, and
wetlands. Each habitat comprises different biological and chemical features. They may be fresh,
saline, or brackish, depending on their chemical characteristics.
These inland water systems vary in various dynamic dimensions – mainly perennial to ephemeral dimensions. There is a
need to consider the different dynamic measurements of the different types of inland water systems.
Ecosystem Services Provided by Inland Water Systems
There are various ecosystem services derived from inland water systems. These include:
1. Provisioning
● Food Production, e.g., fish, fruits, grains
● Fuel and Fiber production, e.g., logs, fuelwood
● Production of genetic materials, e.g., medicine
2. Regulating
● Climate regulation
● Hydrological flow regulation
● Pollution control
● Regulating nutrients and pollutants
● Control of natural hazards, e.g., floods, storm protection
3. Spiritual and Inspirational
4. Recreational opportunities
5. Aesthetic benefits
6. Educational benefits
Sediment Retention and Water Purification
Plants play an essential role in the different inland water systems by trapping nutrients,
sediments, and pollutants. However, there is an issue of sedimentation brought about by land
disturbance, degrading both coastal and marine habitats.
In addition to sedimentation, vegetation clearing causes increased erosion disrupting coastal areas.
Vegetation cover and retaining sediments also remove nutrients such as phosphorus and
nitrogen, resulting in eutrophication. Wetland plants do a standard passive treatment used to
remove pollutants in inland water systems.
Wetland plants have the power to remove both chemical and industrial contaminants from inland waters. Water hyacinths are a typical example of wetland plants that treat effluents from mining activities such as zinc, mercury, nickel, and copper. These examples depict the role of wetland plants in the removal of waste and pollutants
from water.
However, excessive domestic and industrial waste degrades inland water systems leading to
loss of inland water species. These issues arise from a lack of waste processing and storage
containment structures.
Recharge/Discharge of Groundwater
Groundwater continues to face quality issues. Despite this, there is limited attention focused on
such matters. Groundwater resources are at risk of overuse and contamination.
The majority of the large population in the world depends on groundwater resources. It is an essential source of
drinking water, industrial use, irrigation activities, and animal use.
There is, however, a decline in the amount of groundwater in many nations worldwide. In
coastal areas, the lowering of water tables causes an increase in saline water rendering
freshwater sources unfit for human and animal consumption.
Dry-salinization is another common cause of the abstraction of groundwater. Salinization is a common cause of soil
degradation limiting agricultural activities. Salinity and waterlogging are the most common
issues that affect groundwater.
Climate Change Mitigation
In terms of climate change, inland water systems play various roles. The most common are
regulation of greenhouse gases and reducing climate change impacts. Greenhouse gases,
particularly carbon dioxide, are primarily stored in inland water systems.
An essential role of wetlands is they regulate changes in the global climate with the release of carbon dioxide into
the environment.
An excellent example of inland waters contributing to regulation and changes in the climate is
the Aral Sea (formerly the fourth largest sea in the world), which by 2010 had almost completely
dried up due to human interference. This has caused severe climatic changes in the
surrounding areas e.g. air pollution from the blowing dust.
Besides, the local climate surrounding the Sea has been altered by pollution and human
activities such as dams and industrial activities. This is just one example of how inland waters
can contribute to climatic changes.
It is essential to determine actual measurements on the effects associated with changes in the local climate – so as to know the way forward on how to control these problems.
Products from Inland Water Systems
Food Products, fuel & timber
Inland water systems are a source of various products, from fruits to meat products to fuel and
timber. Many of these products are for commercial exploitation in many parts of the world.
A significant product derived from inland water systems at a global scale is fish and fishery
products. Fish production from inland waters is globally dominated by activities in aquaculture
such as carp for domestic consumption and export to other countries.
Aquaculture is characterized as one of the fastest-growing food production industries in the world.
Inland water systems are a leading source of fish products, particularly animal protein, in rural
areas.
They are a source of food in many countries in the world. Freshwater fish consumption is
growing in Asia, Africa, and various parts of South America. One of the greatest threats facing
these fishery systems is the loss of habitat. The most common threats are habitat degradation,
loss of species, and overexploitation of inland fishery systems.
Rice is also another product from wetlands. It is a staple food for millions of people across the
world. Most countries depend on rice as their primary source of food.
Peatlands are a source of habitat and industrial fuel, foods such as berries and mushrooms. Peat mining is also common in Western Europe – used in the agricultural industry.
Recreation, tourism & educational value
Inland water systems are a source of attraction for tourist activities. These consist of national
parks, heritage sites, and other important tourist sites. Income generated from recreation and
tourism can be used to boost economies.
Recreational fishing is also another source of income in a country. One example is the recreational value of the Norfolk Broad wetlands in the United Kingdom, considered to have an approximate value of $57.3 million annually.
In addition to recreational value, inland water systems also serve as a source of educational value in a
country. Wetlands act as vital academic and learning centers for the general public and practical
activities done by learners.
Cultural value
Inland water systems are associated with the cultural values of human beings. Major cities have
been built near inland waters such as the Nile.
Alternatively, inland waters are closely associated with the religious beliefs of people near them. A great example is the Buddhist belief that lakes are sacred entities. These beliefs have freed inland waters from pollution and human
activities leading to degradation.