Since 1900, about 70% of internal freshwater reservoirs have disappeared from the Earth's surface. And in Asia, this figure is even higher, noted in the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Over the past 40 years, populations of freshwater species of flora and fauna have decreased by 81% - more than double the rate of extinction of land and marine species. Such a rapid reduction in freshwater species is caused mainly by degradation of their habitat, the UN stresses.
Meanwhile, freshwater reservoirs, such as lakes, rivers and wetlands, are extremely necessary for life, health and human well-being. Reservoirs are a source of drinking water and a habitat for freshwater organisms.
Fresh water makes up only 0.01% of the world's water reserves, and freshwater reservoirs - 6% of all known species of flora and fauna on the planet.
The main storehouse of fresh water on the Earth - Lake Baikal - is rapidly becoming shallow. The water level in the lake was decreased in the middle of January below the critical point, notably at 6 cm. According to the head of the Hydrometeorological Center Roman Vilfand, the level of Lake Baikal was decreased below the threshold value, which is determined at 456 m on the Pacific scale.
