The handbook provides an insight into the key issues linked to managing and restoring aquatic ecosystems. It illustrates the benefits provided by aquatic ecosystems and gives practical examples where the application of IWRM answered to economic challenges without jeopardizing ecosystems. It draws on real-life experiences of public authorities, water practitioners and local communities in managing national and transboundary basins. This Handbook was produced jointly by GWP and the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) in order to capture experiences with planning and implementing IWRM.