We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Dams and protected areas: Quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of global dam construction within protected areas.
- Authors
Thieme, Michele L.; Khrystenko, Dmytro; Qin, Siyu; Golden Kroner, Rachel E.; Lehner, Bernhard; Pack, Shalynn; Tockner, Klement; Zarfl, Christiane; Shahbol, Natalie; Mascia, Michael B.
- 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.
- Subjects
DAM retirement; DAM design &; construction; PROTECTED areas; DAMS; FRESHWATER biodiversity; BIODIVERSITY conservation
- Publication
Conservation Letters, 2020, Vol 13, Issue 4, p1
- ISSN
1755-263X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/conl.12719