Freshwater ecosystems cover only about 1% of Earth’s surface, but they are home to over 10% of all known species. However, these habitats are under serious threat. A recent study published in Nature looked at 23,496 species living in freshwater, such as fish, crustaceans, and insects. It found that 24% of these species are at high risk of extinction. The main dangers to freshwater ecosystems are pollution, dams, water extraction, agriculture, invasive species, and overharvesting. Some species in danger include the mini blue bee shrimp in Sulawesi, the Atlantic helicopter damselfly in Brazil, and the shortnose sucker fish in North America. These species live in wetlands, lakes, rivers, and peatlands, which have shrunk by more than a third since 1970. The study emphasizes the need for urgent action to protect these ecosystems and the species living in them. Freshwater habitats provide vital services, like carbon storage, fisheries, and natural resources, contributing around $50 trillion to global well-being each year. Areas with the most endangered species include Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, and parts of India and Sri Lanka. Experts stress the need for better water management to protect these ecosystems.