The case for a World Lake Vision

The creation of a World Lake Vision is essential to achieving the sustainable management of the world's lakes. We discuss the value of lakes, how those values have historically led to changes in watershed land-use and population, and how changes have resulted in stresses that impair lake value. Current approaches to lake management at both the local and international level are examined and their shortcomings highlighted. We illustrate how a World Lake Vision, along with the individual lake visions it promotes, can redress the shortcomings of current lake management approaches. Details of the World Lake Vision and the process of its creation are put forth. We end with a critique of the World Water Vision presented at the second World Water Forum in March 2000 from the perspective of lakes and conclude that, in its current form, the World Water Vision provides an inadequate guide for sustainable lake management. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.