Impact Of Hydroelectric Dams On Biodiversity Underestimated

Environment





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The Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in Brazil will be the third largest in the world when it is completed in 2016. Kirk Winemiller/Texas A&M

As a way to generate energy in remote parts of the world, hydroelectric dams are being proposed and built at a staggering pace. Within just the world’s three largest river basins – the Amazon, Congo, and Mekong – there are 450 dams either under construction or being planned.