Threats to biodiversity in Chinese inland waters

Abstract

This paper reviews the status of biodiversity in Chinese inland waters, and the threats this biodiversity now faces. The potential ecological impacts of the biodiversity loss on both the ecosystems and the future of mankind are also discussed. The main emphasis is on diversity at species level. Habitat loss, modification or fragmentation, introduction of exotic species, overfishing, destruction of aquatic macrophytes due to overstocking of plant-eating carps, inbreeding depression of "domestic" carps, and deterioration of ecological environments due to accelerated eutrophication, appear to be the most serious threats to the biodiversity of Chinese inland waters. Severe declines in species diversify of fish, coupled with inadequate knowledge of freshwater fauna, indicate that conservation of biological diversify in aquatic systems requires more attention in China.