The global concepts of sustainable development demand for scientific progress to
be integrated with the realities of environmental management, legislation, and
policy making. Aquatic ecosystem management is a key element in this endeavour
for sustainability, since water quality is an important prerequisite for human
health and development. The health and integrity of aquatic ecosystems should
therefore, not only be regarded as important in its own right, but Water is
Life. Freshwater is one of the most valuable commodities on our planet, and this
resource should be managed in a sustainable way. Yet, we are less than careful
in the way we use water and many of our