Ultimately, it is water-related ecosystems that provide water services to society. They are important for improving water quantity, because they can capture and store water, water quality, because they can decompose and/or absorb water pollutants, and for other purposes such as providing fish and construction materials. Target 6.6 seeks to halt the degradation and destruction of these ecosystems, and to assist the recovery of those already degraded. The target includes water-related ecosystems such as vegetated wetlands, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and groundwater, as well as those occurring in mountains and forests, which play a special role in storing freshwater and maintaining water quality.

Global Indicators for this Sub-goal:

• 6.6.1 “Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time”