Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots vital to human livelihoods, yet they face accelerating degradation from hydrological alteration, over-extraction, pollution, invasive species, land-use change, and climate change. Traditional, centralised conservation approaches have often struggled to halt these trends due to limited adaptability, fragmented governance, and inadequate local engagement. This review synthesises global evidence on the integration of Community-Based Conservation (CBC) strategies into freshwater biodiversity preservation.
Drawing on conceptual, ecological, and governance literature, the paper explores CBC’s defining features, its alignment with social–ecological systems thinking, and its capacity to deliver biodiversity and socio-economic outcomes. The analysis covers global and regional biodiversity contexts, key operational mechanisms—including co-management, livelihood diversification, capacity building, community-based monitoring, and climate adaptation—and the socio-cultural factors that underpin stewardship.    
Findings indicate that CBC’s flexibility, incorporation of local ecological knowledge, and focus on participatory governance enhance legitimacy, compliance, and adaptive capacity. Success is maximized when CBC is embedded in multi-scalar governance frameworks, supported by secure tenure rights, equitable benefit-sharing, and sustained capacity development. The review concludes that CBC offers a viable, scalable pathway to reconcile conservation and development objectives, particularly in the dynamic and interdependent contexts of freshwater ecosystems.