Improving cross-sector policy integration and co-operation in support of freshwater conservation

Abstract

To achieve effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems, close coordination and cooperation is required among sectors responsible for protection and management of water resources, biodiversity conservation, land-use management (including agricultural resources), and integrated development planning (MacKay & Ashton 2004). Of special importance is the coordination between land-related and water-related sectors because freshwater ecosystems are affected by activities that happen throughout their drainage areas (Linke et al. 2007)