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Biodiversity: more than half of French rivers are not in good ecological condition
Biodiversity: more than half of French rivers are not in good ecological condition
(franceinfo)
Only 43% of rivers in France are in good ecological condition, according to an unprecedented report published on May 22 by WWF.
More than half of the rivers are not in good ecological condition, only 57% according to a study published on May 22. Despite the expenses incurred to improve water quality – 500 billion in 20 years – the populations of birds and fish are stagnating. Some even collapse. Thus, the European eel is critically endangered. The cause is human activities. “The indicators are linked to pressures mainly in rural areas. Pesticides, the calibration of waterways, the fact that we tend to concrete over landscapes, overall, all this makes a cocktail which is not good, neither for fish nor for water birds”explains Yann Laurans, program director at WWF France.
To reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and thus protect biodiversity, the environmental association WWF recommends the application of the “polluter pays” principle. She also campaigns for the preservation of wet waters.
