Visit the webstory here:

https://digital.iucn.org/water/sebou-river/

Rivers are an important ecosystem for freshwater biodiversity and are vital to the survival of many threatened species. Yet, they are increasingly under threat by human activity. Dams, pollution, land degradation and other human-induced activities have severely affected these important waterways and the freshwater biodiversity that depends on them for their survival.

The Sebou river is the largest North African river by volume, and is vital for the livelihood of a quarter of the Moroccan population. It is a hotspot for native and threatened species. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) can significantly contribute to the global persistence of biodiversity in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. For the latter, several freshwater KBAs have been identified and mapped and researched in the Mediterranean basin hotspot. The current status of freshwater biodiversity was assessed in KBAs in the Sebou river basin.

The results of the freshwater biodiversity assessments show indeed a high concentration of native and threatened species in the KBAs, as well as in the surrounding areas. Recommendations are made to better protect the sites as well as extend the scope of the current protected areas.

This web story will guide you through the freshwater biodiversity found in the Sebou river basin and the role of Key Biodiversity Areas in their conservation. There is also spatial data available on the assessed freshwater biodiversity in the Sebou river. 

Learn more - view the other initiatives taken to assess freshwater biodiversity of Key Biodiversity Areas in the Mediterranean

For further references, please contact Catherine.numa@iucn.org