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The spatial environmental heterogeneity (EH) has been invoked as an important factor to explain biodiversity. It is expected that higher spatial EH provides a wider range of resources and conditions for species with different requirements, leading to an increase of biodiversity. However, differences among geographical locations, ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, their occurrence zone, and methodological approaches may reveal idiosyncrasy between studies. Thus, we aimed to synthesize the global knowledge about the relationship between spatial EH and freshwater biodiversity (i.e. taxonomic and functional diversity, and their respective α and β components). Through a systematic review, we integrated results from 98 studies, published in 33 different countries, about the role of spatial EH – biodiversity relationship in freshwater ecosystems. Through meta‐analysis, we demonstrated that spatial EH has a …