1. In 1949, Aldo Leopold formalized the concept of the ‘land ethic’, in what emerged as a foundational and transformational way of thinking about natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and stewardship in terrestrial systems. Yet, the land ethic has inherent linkages to aquatic ecosystems; Leopold himself conducted research on rivers and lakes, and freshwater ecosystems figured widely in his writing.
2. We reflect on the land ethic and other aspects of Leopold's scholarship to identify key messages that provide insight into the stewardship and management of freshwater ecosystems around the globe. We also frame what we call the ‘freshwater ethic’ around Leopold's legacy. Although Leopold could not have envisaged the stressors affecting modern aquatic ecosystems, his core principles remain salient. These apply not only to ecosystem protection, but also to the ethics of modern conservation economics, sustainability, and the protection of natural capital, in which lakes, rivers, and wetlands now figure prominently.
3. We identify key ‘Aldo-inspired’ recommendations for protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Anthropocene that emanate directly from his writings (e.g. adopt an ecosystem approach, identify win–win–win scenarios, recognize the irreplaceability of wild waters, and strive for freshwater optimism).
4. In an epoch where links between people and nature are becoming more explicit in environmental management, policy, and governance, we suggest that Aldo Leopold's work illustrates how inspirational, seminal thinkers have offered leadership in this domain. We contend that today there is still much that can be learned from Leopold, especially by the next generation of environmental practitioners, to ensure the effective stewardship of our aquatic ecosystems.
5. We submit that the adoption of a freshwater ethic in parallel with Leopold's land ethic will enhance the stewardship of the world's increasingly threatened fresh waters by raising the profile of the plight of fresh waters and identifying enduring actions that, if embraced, will help conserve and restore biodiversity.

中文翻译：

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淡水生态系统的管理和管理：从利奥波德的土地伦理到淡水伦理

1. 1949 年，Aldo Leopold 将“土地伦理”的概念正式化，以一种基本的、变革性的方式来思考自然资源管理、生物多样性保护和陆地系统的管理。然而，土地伦理与水生生态系统有着内在的联系。利奥波德本人对河流和湖泊进行了研究，淡水生态系统在他的作品中占有重要地位。
2. 我们反思土地伦理和利奥波德奖学金的其他方面，以确定关键信息，为全球淡水生态系统的管理和管理提供洞察力。我们还围绕利奥波德的遗产构建了我们所谓的“淡水伦理”。尽管利奥波德无法想象影响现代水生生态系统的压力因素，但他的核心原则仍然很突出。这些不仅适用于生态系统保护，还适用于现代保护经济学、可持续性和自然资本保护的伦理，其中湖泊、河流和湿地现在占据突出地位。
3. 我们确定了直接来自他的著作的关于保护和恢复人类世淡水生态系统的关键“阿尔多启发”建议（例如采用生态系统方法，确定双赢方案，认识到野生水域的不可替代性，并争取淡水乐观）。
4. 在环境管理、政策和治理中人与自然之间的联系变得更加明确的时代，我们认为 Aldo Leopold 的工作说明了鼓舞人心、开创性的思想家在这个领域提供了怎样的领导力。我们认为，今天仍然可以从利奥波德那里学到很多东西，特别是下一代环境从业者，以确保我们水生生态系统的有效管理。
5. 我们认为，采用淡水伦理与利奥波德的土地伦理并行将加强对世界日益受到威胁的淡水的管理，通过提高淡水困境的形象和确定持久的行动，如果接受这些行动，将有助于保护和恢复生物多样性。