We evaluate the distribution, hydroperiod, and salinity tolerance of Rhizophora mangle (RM) across four distinct physiognomic conditions to elucidate the hydrological drivers influencing habitat suitability, thereby identifying potential sites for mangrove rehabilitation efforts. RM populations were categorized into four physiognomic conditions: healthy stands (IP), transitional zones (TR), degraded areas (DE), and marginal stands at distributional limits (LI). Over the course of one year, we measured various environmental parameters, including (1) water level, (2) water temperature, (3) rainfall, and (4) water salinity. Wavelet coherence analysis revealed a significant influence of the semi-diurnal tide across all four physiognomic condition locations. Salinity levels ranged from 18 to 80 PSU, exhibiting seasonal variability, with the highest concentrations recorded within the LI distribution zone. Hydroperiod assessments indicated a logarithmic relationship between flood duration and peak water levels, characterized by a notably steeper slope in the IP zone. Canonical discriminant analysis demonstrated substantial and statistically significant differentiation among the four zones, particularly when focusing exclusively on annual water salinity. Furthermore, our analysis uncovered a significant linear trend between water salinity and flood duration; however, no correlation was found between water salinity and peak water levels. These findings facilitate the identification of potential zones for future rehabilitation initiatives, based on data collected from 57 sampling stations along a 28-km coastal stretch.
Seasonal freshwater wetlands are critical biodiversity hotspots that provide essential ecosystem services yet face escalating anthropogenic threats. This study assessed aquatic and semi-aquatic plant diversity, community composition characterised using species presence–absence data, and perceived pollution intensity based on observable indicators in 11 perennial wetlands of Shehera Taluka, Panchmahal District, during 2024–2025. A total of 108 species from 81 genera were recorded with Hydrilla verticillata as the most widespread species. Gamma diversity increased from 76 species (2024) to 91 (2025), with 59 shared species. Mean site richness (17.1 ± 6.3 to 20.8 ± 8.5) and Shannon (H′) and Simpson (1–D) indices increased slightly but not significantly. Beta diversity was high in both years (0.813 and 0.853 in 2024 and 2025, respectively), dominated by species turnover (87.8
Recreational lakes serve as important spaces for human restoration, yet their soundscapes remain understudied. This research provides a systematic assessment of nearshore sound levels and vegetation-mediated noise attenuation at two lowland lakes in eastern Poland. Over 450 measurements of A-weighted equivalent sound levels (LAeq) were collected during spring, summer, and autumn, across gradients of shoreline vegetation, tree cover, and distance from roads or open shorelines. Seasonal variation emerged as the strongest predictor of LAeq, with summer levels exceeding spring by more than 5 dB—an acoustically meaningful increase linked to peak recreational and traffic activity. Emergent macrophytes, particularly Phragmites australis and mixed reedbeds, significantly reduced noise by 4–6 dB relative to unvegetated shorelines. These effects were consistent across statistical models, underscoring the role of macrophytes as effective natural noise buffers. In contrast, tree-covered shorelines were associated with slightly elevated noise levels, suggesting limited acoustic benefits from riparian woody vegetation in this context. While sound levels decreased with distance from roads, attenuation rates differed between lakes, reflecting the influence of local shoreline configuration. Notably, over one-third of measurements exceeded the WHO guideline of 55 dB LAeq for outdoor environments, particularly in summer and at road-exposed, unvegetated sites. This raises concerns about the acoustic quality of lakeside recreation areas, even in natural landscapes. The study highlights the importance of incorporating soundscape considerations into freshwater management. Preserving or restoring emergent macrophyte belts may offer a cost-effective, nature-based strategy to reduce anthropogenic noise and improve recreational soundscapes.
Sambhar Lake, the largest inland saline wetland and a designated Ramsar site located in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan (India), represents an ecologically important habitat for various biotic components including zooplankton. Zooplankton are a key component of aquatic food webs and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental change in saline ecosystems. This study investigated the seasonal diversity and community structure of zooplankton across five sampling sites in Sambhar Lake from November 2024 to October 2025. Physicochemical parameters and diversity indices were analysed to evaluate ecological patterns in relation to seasonal physicochemical variability. A total of 43 zooplankton species were recorded during the study period. The results revealed distinct seasonal variation in zooplankton composition, with higher Shannon diversity (H` = 2.659) during the spring and reduced diversity during the summer under elevated salinity conditions. The highest zooplankton abundance (288 individuals/L) and species richness (23 taxa) were recorded during the monsoon, whereas the lowest values (6 individuals/L, 1 taxon) occurred in summer. Correlation and principal component analysis indicated that salinity and temperature were the major environmental gradients influencing zooplankton distribution. These findings highlight the importance of seasonal physicochemical dynamics in regulating zooplankton community structure in hypersaline wetland ecosystems.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) have emerged as multifunctional, nature-based infrastructures for the bioremediation of polluted water bodies. This review critically synthesises recent advances in CW design typologies, treatment mechanisms, and technological innovations, with particular emphasis on their strategic deployment as eco-buffer zones at watershed interfaces. Unlike existing reviews that treat CWs primarily as engineering infrastructure, this review advances the argument that design decisions are ecologically inseparable from treatment outcomes. A critical synthesis of global performance data reveals mean removal efficiencies of 78
Wetland ecosystems, including boreal peatlands, have been widely altered by anthropogenic disturbances, resulting in long‑term changes to ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Across northern Europe, forestry‑driven drainage has substantially modified peatland water regimes, whereas beavers, as natural ecosystem engineers, represent a contrasting disturbance process by locally re‑establishing wetter conditions. We studied hydrologically driven landscape changes by analyzing anthropogenic drainage in 1963 and 2023 alongside beaver‑induced flooding in the Evo area in southern Finland using historical maps, aerial imagery, and long‑term field observations. Drainage and beaver-induced disturbances were examined both at the landscape scale and within waterbody buffer zones representing transitional areas between aquatic and terrestrial environments. The results showed that the ditch network expanded substantially over the study period, with total ditch length and ditch density increasing approximately fourfold. The proportion of ditched peatland increased from 23.8 to 72.5
The threat of sea-level rise has created the need to measure sedimentation rates in coastal wetlands. Sedimentation rates can help determine the vulnerability of wetland systems when they are compared to rates of sea-level rise. Several different methods are used for measuring sedimentation rates. As a result, there is a need to identify which methods are most cost-effective and efficient to help inform management practices using limited funds. This study tested several existing short-term surface deposition methods and accretion methods in a salt marsh-mangrove wetland in Northeast Florida to determine if the deposition methods collect equivalent deposition rates and if the accretion methods collect equivalent accretion rates. The study also aimed to identify the optimal deposition and accretion method. The deposition methods tested were two types of centrifuge tube traps, and the accretion methods tested were ceramic tiles and borosilicate filter papers. Some of the collection devices were stapled or nailed to test ways to reduce dislodgment during deployment. The deposition and accretion methods worked and collected equivalent rates, but not all methods had the same failure rate and cost. For deposition, the centrifuge tube trap (without staple) had the lowest failure rate and unit cost, while for accretion, the stapled ceramic tile had the lowest failure rate and unit cost. These methods may therefore provide the most efficient and cost-effective approach for measuring short-term sediment rates, which can help wetland managers determine the vulnerability of wetlands with future changes.
The Macta marshes in Algeria are facing increasing environmental pressure. This study investigated the impact of climate change on waterbirds in the Macta over a decade (2014–2024). We combined bird surveys with satellite data and climate analysis. Results revealed a drastic loss of surface water (98.97
Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems that provide critical services and support millions of livelihoods worldwide. However, they are increasingly threatened by climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Resilience refers to the capacity of social-ecological systems to absorb disturbances, adapt to change, and maintain their core functions. In mangrove ecosystems, such assessments are particularly important given the multiple environmental and socio-economic pressures affecting these coastal systems. Most existing resilience assessment methods often overlook the interconnectedness of mangroves as part of social-ecological systems, focusing on either ecological or social dimensions in isolation. This study introduces the Mangrove Social-Ecological Resilience Appraisal (MaSERA), a novel interdisciplinary methodological framework designed to assess the resilience of mangroves by integrating plant, fish and human components alongside their systemic interactions. The framework distinguishes between specific variables linked to individual components, and systemic variables capturing interactions and governance dynamics. Rather than using composite indices, MaSERA advocates for detailed and context-sensitive assessments of resilience. The flexibility of the framework allows adaptation to diverse settings while enabling cross-regional comparisons through a core set of recommended variables and indicators. MaSERA offers a practical tool for scholars, conservationists, and policymakers to identify factors that enable or erode mangrove resilience to promote sustainability.
Wetland pastures support both livestock-based livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. However, their strong spatial heterogeneity and seasonal hydrological variability complicate the interpretation of grazing patterns, particularly under long-established free-ranging systems where grazing is not experimentally controlled. This study aimed to quantify habitat-specific patterns of forage production and realized grazing dynamics in the Kızılırmak Delta wetland under existing free-grazing conditions, providing an observational assessment of how different wetland habitats function within an open-grazed system. The study was conducted during 2022–2023 across four distinct wetland habitat classes: permanent wet meadows, coastal dunes/sandy grasslands, grazed permanent pastures, and seasonally flooded pastures. Grazing occurred naturally without experimental manipulation of animal movement or stocking intensity. Dry matter yield, realized grazing capacity, grazing area per buffalo, and grazing degree were estimated monthly throughout the grazing season. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and spatiotemporal patterns were explored using hierarchical clustering heatmaps. Significant habitat-related differences were observed in botanical composition, species richness, and plant quality grade (P ≤ 0.01). Seasonally flooded pastures exhibited the highest average dry matter yield (9.23 t ha⁻1), the highest realized grazing capacity (3.100 head), and the lowest grazing area requirement per buffalo (1.20 ha head⁻1). Across habitats, forage availability and grazing indicators showed strong seasonal variation, with peak values occurring following seasonal flood recession in habitats that became accessible later in the grazing period. The results indicate that forage production and grazing dynamics in the Kızılırmak Delta vary substantially among wetland habitat types and across seasons. Observed differences represent realized grazing patterns shaped by habitat characteristics and seasonal accessibility within a free-ranging system rather than outcomes of active grazing management.
The Colombo Wetland Complex provides vital ecosystem services ranging from flood regulation, thermal cooling to recreational support, that enhance urban well-being and climate resilience. Despite recent conservation efforts, including the 2016 Metro Colombo Wetland Management Strategy, the wetlands face ongoing degradation. This study evaluated the strategy’s progress through stakeholder consultations and an online perception survey. Since 2016, key achievements include improved wetland zoning, Ramsar Wetland City accreditation, new protected areas, recreational parks, a ban on wetland filling, and awareness campaigns. Nevertheless, perception surveys indicated that 59
Mangrove restoration programs depend on the production of vigorous seedlings capable of establishing under environmentally stressful coastal conditions. This study evaluated the effects of substrate composition and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) dose on the early development of Rhizophora mangle seedlings under nursery conditions in Ecuador. A completely randomized factorial experiment was conducted using six substrate mixtures and four IBA doses. Morphological variables including seedling height, leaf number, and stem diameter were evaluated over a 90-day experimental period. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of IBA dose, substrate composition, and their interaction on the evaluated morphological variables. For seedling height, significant effects were detected for IBA dose (p = 0.000747), substrate composition (p = 0.000320), and the IBA dose × substrate interaction (p = 0.000687). Similar significant responses were observed for leaf number and stem diameter. Mixed substrates containing sand, perlite, or both generally improved morphological performance compared with pure substrates, although the magnitude of the response depended on the IBA dose and substrate combination. Intermediate and standard IBA doses promoted greater leaf production and seedling growth compared with the control treatment and the highest concentration evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis showed a moderate positive association between seedling height and stem diameter, while correlations involving leaf number were weak or non-significant. The results suggest that substrate physical structure and moderate hormonal stimulation play complementary roles in improving propagule development under nursery conditions. These findings provide practical guidance for mangrove propagation and restoration programs by supporting the use of aerated mixed substrates and optimized IBA concentrations to improve seedling quality. However, the study was conducted under controlled nursery conditions and focused on short-term developmental responses; therefore, further field-based evaluations are required to assess long-term establishment success.
Successful mangrove restoration relies heavily on optimizing nursery substrates to ensure early seedling establishment. This study evaluated the effects of natural soil and cocopeat on the early growth and survival of three Rhizophoraceae species (Rhizophora mucronata, Kandelia candel and Ceriops tagal) over a four-months cultivation period. Survival rates were high across all cohorts (75–85
The presence of palms on earth mounds may increase community phylogenetic diversity (PD) by promoting facilitation and acting as natural perches that enhance species recruitment. We investigated whether palm presence and mound size affect the phylogenetic diversity (alpha and beta) and structure of woody vegetation. We selected 42 earth mounds in an ecotone between the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes: 15 with Copernicia prunifera (Mill.) H.E. Moore, 12 with Astrocaryum vulgare Mart., and 15 without palms. We sampled the woody vegetation, measured the area of mounds and collected the geographic coordinates in order to construct a distance matrix. We then built a phylogenetic tree and calculated the standardised effect sizes of phylogenetic diversity (ses.PD) and phylogenetic distances (ses.MPD and ses.MNTD), in order to control for species richness. We partitioned phylogenetic beta diversity into its turnover and nestedness components. Earth mounds with Astrocaryum vulgare exhibited higher ses.PD and phylogenetic overdispersion (ses.MPD = 0.76; ses.MNTD = 0.88; p < 0.05). By contrast, mounds with Copernicia prunifera displayed a random phylogenetic structure (ses.MPD = 0.02; ses.MNTD = − 0.21; p > 0.05), whereas mounds without palms exhibited lower ses.PD and phylogenetic clustering based on ses.MPD (− 0.70; p < 0.05). The dissimilarities between mounds were driven by species turnover rather than geographic distance. Additionally, larger mounds exhibited higher PD. Our study highlights the potential of palms, particularly Astrocaryum vulgare, to promote the phylogenetic diversity of woody plant lineages on earth mounds, suggesting that their use is an effective strategy for ecological restoration in challenging environments.
Because flooding gradients are common within forested ecosystems in the Amazon, I compared how flooding by white-water vs. black-water rivers affect the tree floristics and structure of the resulting várzea vs. igapó floodplain forests. I did this by sampling trees across their spatial flooding gradients in plots (microsites) starting at the river’s edge and going into each floodplain forest. I found in várzea 40 families where Fabaceae (Leguminosae), Meliaceae, Lecythidaceae and Euphorbiaceae were most frequently sampled and the spatial distribution patterns of Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Cecropiaceae significantly fit mathematical models (the asymmetric unimodal right-skewed model was most common) which made them also spatial gradients, and in igapó 20 families where Fabaceae and Lecythidaceae were most frequently sampled and those two families as well as Vochysiaceae significantly fit mathematical models (the asymmetric unimodal right-skewed model was again most common) which made them also spatial gradients. I also found in várzea stem density, stem mean size, basal area and species richness all increased (while Fishers’ α diversity index decreased) as plots were sampled further away from the river and family richness, species richness and Fishers’ α significantly fit mathematical models (the asymmetric unimodal left-skewed model was most common) which made them also spatial gradients, and in igapó family richness, genus richness, species richness, and mean stem size were highest in plots closest to the river while Fishers’ α was lowest in plots farthest away and stem density, mean stem size and family richness significantly fit mathematical models (there was no trend for common types of models) which made them also spatial gradients. I conclude distributions and gradients of várzea and igapó were more similar than dissimilar in familial composition and half of both of their structural parameters fitted models which, taken together, suggested dominance of the physical effects of flooding over the chemical effects of the water-type (white vs. black). In addition, familial distribution patterns were individualistic where “preferred” microsite “niches” at certain distances from the rivers may exist for some common families.
For over half a century, wildlife managers have constructed impoundments to offset wetland loss across North America. As impoundments age, productivity often declines, and water-level drawdowns are commonly used to rejuvenate habitat and primary productivity and increase wildlife use, particularly targeting wetland bird communities. We evaluated the effectiveness of drawdowns in coastal impoundments of Atlantic Canada, where responses to management are poorly understood. From April–June 2021–2023, we used a replicated before–after–control–impact (BACI) design to assess bird occupancy and abundance at untreated, drawdown, and post-treatment wetlands using generalized additive and mixed-effects models. We also tested the response of aquatic macroinvertebrates to drawdown. Bird responses varied among foraging guilds and species. Shallow-water foragers, including aquatic ground predators and some dabbling ducks, increased during drawdown, whereas aquatic diving species declined. Following refilling, overall bird abundance increased significantly at treatment wetlands relative to controls. Aquatic macroinvertebrate abundance did not increase after drawdown, suggesting that bird responses were more strongly linked to changes other than standing prey biomass. These findings indicate that drawdowns can enhance wetland bird use but generate trade-offs among species with different functional traits and habitat requirements. Managing impoundments on a rotating drawdown schedule to maintain habitat heterogeneity at a landscape scale may help maximize biodiversity and support a broader range of wetland birds in Atlantic Canada.
Coastal land reclamation (LR) is widely reported to have adverse impacts on the coastal and marine environments. Meanwhile, mangrove afforestation (MA) and MA-based coastal protection measures are costly and time-consuming processes that have not always achieved the desired results. The question of whether LR could be used as an ecological restoration alternative to MA remains unclear. The authors addressed this issue to some extent by using the Phu Cuong Urban Development Area in Kien Giang, Vietnam, as a case study. This study aimed to investigate how LR supported the growth of mangrove forests. This aim was achieved by calculating mangrove vegetation cover and documenting the growth of the mangrove forests over time through long-term monitoring between 2020 and March 2025. The results showed that LR created favourable conditions that supported strong mangrove growth both onshore and offshore. As a result, five mangrove species colonized the area between 2020 and 2025, despite no mangrove seeds or seedlings having been planted. This growth then naturally connected the isolated mangrove areas by compacting and elevating the substrate density in the remaining areas to form coastal mangrove patches. Furthermore, favourable dynamic environmental conditions, sediment compaction processes, and heavy grass growth, both onshore and offshore, strongly supported the growth of the mangrove species. The lessons are that LR could be emphasized as an ecological restoration alternative to MA, and that MA is unnecessary in areas with favourable hydrodynamic conditions and the presence of seed sources.
Wetlands store large soil carbon (C) pools but remain understudied with respect to how labile C inputs regulate microbial community dynamics and C cycling under climate warming. Here, we conducted a labile C (glucose) addition experiment in soils from Zhalong, Momoge, and Xianghai wetlands (Songnen Plain, China) to test two hypotheses: (1) Labile C input alleviates C limitation and increases microbial respiration and Q10; (2) Labile C enrichment shifts microbial communities toward r-strategists (copiotrophs). The results showed that labile C significantly stimulated respiration rate and Q10, especially in topsoil (0–15 cm). It increased bacterial abundance and bacteria-to-fungi ratio, enhanced carbohydrate utilization, and reduced polymer C use, indicating a shift to r-strategists. Labile C addition significantly increased the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase and the contents of soil NH4+-N, NO3−-N. Structural equation modeling showed that soil microbial C metabolic activity positively regulated Q10 and microbial strategy shifts. These findings demonstrate that labile C availability governs microbial thermal responses and life-history strategies in C-limited wetland soils. This study improves mechanistic understanding of wetland C-limited feedbacks and supports evidence-based wetland management under global warming.
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, providing vital ecological functions, biodiversity support, livelihoods, and climate resilience. In Bangladesh, however, wetlands such as Arial Beel are rapidly degrading due to anthropogenic pressure and unplanned land use. This study assessed vegetation structure, tree diversity, and carbon sequestration in the Arial Beel wetland using 40 nested field plots and satellite imagery. Species composition, biodiversity indices, and aboveground carbon stocks were evaluated across vegetation types, with carbon sequestration estimated using allometric equations and landscape patterns analyzed through remote sensing. A total of 43 plant species were recorded, including 14 tree species dominated by Barringtonia acutangula and Crateva religiosa. Vegetation covered 4,696.25 ha and varied with topography and water availability. Biodiversity was moderate (Shannon Index = 2.68; Simpson = 0.91), while species similarity among plots was low. Mean carbon sequestration was 0.02 Mg CO2 tree⁻1 year⁻1, highest in Eucalyptus and Coconut. Scenario modeling indicated that replacing Eucalyptus with native species could enhance biodiversity and water retention but slightly reduce carbon storage, highlighting restoration trade-offs. The study emphasizes the need for inteQuerygrated wetland management combining field data and remote sensing to sustain ecosystem services.
