SLADKOVODNÉ EKOSYSTÉMY A ČLOVEK

Sine aqua non est vita – without water, there is no life. Water is one of the fundamental components of the environment, a substance without which we cannot imagine life in general. It has a key role in the biosphere and also in the destiny of human civilizations. Despite its inestimable importance, we often use water resources very inefficiently. Although more and more people are moving to the cities and technology is dominating in our daily lives, we are still existentially dependent on nature. For this reason, it is important to talk both about the importance of water and about how we treat it. Therefore, this essay discusses the importance of water and freshwater ecosystems, particularly to human society. It elucidates the water resources of the Slovak Republic – a country rich in this natural resource. It explains what freshwater ecosystems are and why the perception of water as a complex ecosystem is important not only by professionals but also by the general public. However, as the relationship between water and humans is bidirectional, it also discusses the negative impacts of human activities that disrupt the functioning of freshwater ecosystems – activities that reduce the quality and spectrum of freshwater ecosystem services.