Imperiled lake ecosystems

Emerging global threats, such as biological invasions, climate change, land use intensification, and water depletion, endanger the sustainable future of lake ecosystems. To deal with the threats, a multidimensional view on the protection and exploitation of lake ecosystems is needed. The holistic approach needs to contain not just the development of economy and society but also take into account the negative impacts of this growth on the environment, from that, the balance between the three dimensions can be sustained to reach a sustainable future. This chapter provides a comprehensive review on future opportunities and challenges for lake sustainable development in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From ancient times to the present, lakes have been a key freshwater resource. They play crucial roles in human societies for drinking water provision, food production, recreation, energy provision, water treatment and flood and drought control. Because of the recent intensive exploitations, numerous lakes have severely been deteriorated. In recent years, physical habitat degradation has become very problematic while eutrophication remains the main issue for lakes worldwide. Besides constant threats from urbanization, industry, aquaculture, and watercourse alterations, climate change and emerging contaminants, such as microplastics and antimicrobial resistance, are generating universal problems for the sustainability of lake ecosystems. In relation to the SDGs, the actions for achieving the sustainability of lake ecosystems have positive links with the SDGs related to environmental dimensions (Goals 6, 13, 14 and 15) as they are mutually reinforcing each other. On the other hand, these actions have direct potential conflicts with the SDGs related to social and economic dimensions (Goals 1, 2, 3 and 8). Based on the interlinkages, we propose 20 indicators that can be used by decision makers for monitoring and assessing lake sustainable development