Science in freshwater management

Communities across Canada have taken aftion on the central issues of water quantity, water use and water quality. These communities have acted to protect their sources of drinking water, maintain and enhance aquatic habitat, and increase awareness of water conservation. Details of these activities are in Canada and freshwater, part of the Sustainable Development in Canada Monograph Series.

The report also highlights the contributions Canadian scientists have made in understanding the environment, including the role of phosphorus in the deterioration of the Great Lakes, the causes and effects of acid rain, the environmental effects of large dams, and the reduction of toxic substances, such as PCBs, mercury, and pesticides, in the aquatic environment. The report has been presented to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.

For those interested in further information on these and other initiatives, the report provides a list of selected readings and Internet sites.