The Natural Flow Regime is a paradigm for river conservation and restoration, emphasizing the importance of natural flow patterns in maintaining ecological integrity. Human activities have significantly altered river systems, leading to ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity. The natural flow regime, characterized by variations in magnitude, frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change, is critical for sustaining aquatic ecosystems. Alterations to these flow patterns, such as those caused by dams and land-use changes, have disrupted the natural dynamics of rivers, affecting habitat structure, species diversity, and ecosystem functions. The natural flow regime influences river ecosystems through its effects on geomorphic processes, habitat structure, and species interactions. High and low flows play essential roles in maintaining ecological processes, such as sediment transport, habitat creation, and nutrient cycling. The timing and predictability of flows are also crucial for the life cycles of many aquatic and riparian species. Human activities, including dam construction, land-use changes, and urbanization, have altered flow regimes, leading to ecological consequences such as reduced habitat diversity, increased sedimentation, and changes in species composition. Restoring natural flow regimes is essential for the conservation and management of river ecosystems. This involves understanding the complex interactions between flow patterns and ecological processes, as well as implementing management strategies that account for the natural variability of flows. The natural flow regime provides a framework for developing sustainable water management practices that balance human needs with the ecological integrity of river systems. By recognizing the importance of natural flow variability, society can work towards restoring the health and productivity of free-flowing river ecosystems.The Natural Flow Regime is a paradigm for river conservation and restoration, emphasizing the importance of natural flow patterns in maintaining ecological integrity. Human activities have significantly altered river systems, leading to ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity. The natural flow regime, characterized by variations in magnitude, frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change, is critical for sustaining aquatic ecosystems. Alterations to these flow patterns, such as those caused by dams and land-use changes, have disrupted the natural dynamics of rivers, affecting habitat structure, species diversity, and ecosystem functions. The natural flow regime influences river ecosystems through its effects on geomorphic processes, habitat structure, and species interactions. High and low flows play essential roles in maintaining ecological processes, such as sediment transport, habitat creation, and nutrient cycling. The timing and predictability of flows are also crucial for the life cycles of many aquatic and riparian species. Human activities, including dam construction, land-use changes, and urbanization, have altered flow regimes, leading to ecological consequences such as reduced habitat diversity, increased sedimentation, and changes in species composition. Restoring natural flow regimes is essential for the conservation and management of river ecosystems. This involves understanding the complex interactions between flow patterns and ecological processes, as well as implementing management strategies that account for the natural variability of flows. The natural flow regime provides a framework for developing sustainable water management practices that balance human needs with the ecological integrity of river systems. By recognizing the importance of natural flow variability, society can work towards restoring the health and productivity of free-flowing river ecosystems.