Freshwater Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment

Front Cover

As part of a global effort to identify those areas where conservation measures are needed most urgently, World Wildlife Fund has assembled teams of scientists to conduct ecological assessments of all seven continents. Freshwater Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar is the latest contribution, presenting in a single volume the first in-depth analysis of the state of freshwater biodiversity across Africa, Madagascar, and the islands of the region. Looking at biodiversity and threats in terms of biological units rather than political units, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the entire range of aquatic systems.

In addition to its six main chapters, the book includes nineteen essays by regional experts that provide more depth on key issues, as well as six detailed appendixes that present summary data used in the analyses, specific analytical methodologies, and a thorough text description for each of Africa's ninety-three freshwater ecoregions.

Freshwater Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar provides a blueprint for conservation action and represents an unparalleled guide for investments and activities of conservation agencies and donor organizations.

About the author (2013)

Michele Thieme joined the World Wildlife Fund's Conservation Science Program in 1999 and works to conserve freshwater life in WWF’s priority river and lake basins. Her current research centers on the role of protected areas in conserving freshwater ecosystems, and improving conservation planning in freshwater environments. She leads the Spatial Tools and Analysis Team and is an active member of the Impact Evaluation team.

Robin Abell is a senior freshwater conservation biologist at WWF. She specializes in broad-scale conservation planning to protect freshwater biodiversity.

Dr. Melanie L.J. Stiassny is Axelrod Research Curator at the Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History.

Paul Skelton is Managing Director Emeritus of the South African Institue for Aquatic Biodiversity.