Historical, contemporary, and future perspectives on a coupled social–ecological system in a changing world: Canada’s historic Rideau Canal

Global canal systems, spanning over 63,000 km, face significant biodiversity challenges due to fragmentation and human-mediated disturbances such as poor water quality and invasive species. A study on Canada’s Rideau Canal highlights the need for coordinated governance that balances historical preservation with ecological conservation. The research identifies key threats—user conflicts, pollution, shoreline development, and invasive species—and advocates for a shift from fragmented management to a unified, multi-stakeholder approach. This model could serve as a blueprint for other historic waterways worldwide, addressing both biodiversity loss and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Bergman, J. N., Beaudoin, C., Mistry, I., Turcotte, A., Vis, C., Minelga, V., Neigel, K., Lin, H.-Y., Bennett, J. R., Young, N., Rennie, C., Trottier, L. L., Abrams, A. E. I., Beaupre, P., Glassman, D., Blouin-Demers, G., Garant, D., Donaldson, L., Vermaire, J. C., et al. (2022). Historical, contemporary, and future perspectives on a coupled social–ecological system in a changing world: Canada’s historic Rideau Canal. Environmental Reviews, 30(1), 72–87. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2021-0026