Cross-Scale Insights into Hydro-ecological Dynamics under Climate Change

The climate system has undergone rapid transformation since the Industrial Revolution, with rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events. These changes have caused widespread ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and imbalances in water resources. A deeper understanding of the interactions between hydrological processes and ecosystems across timescales from the palaeoenvironment to the present is therefore critically important. Such knowledge is essential for revealing the eco-hydrological impacts of climate change and for building a strong foundation to predict future trends and develop adaptive strategies that promote sustainable development and resilience in vulnerable regions.This Research Topic seeks to bridge the critical gap between past climatic patterns and present ecological dynamics to improve ecosystem management under climate change. By integrating palaeoenvironmental reconstructions using proxies such as ostracods, diatoms, and other bioindicators with contemporary eco-hydrological modeling and observational data, we aim to explain how hydrological processes and ecosystems have co-evolved across different timescales. Through cross-regional and cross-temporal studies, we will quantify historical baseline conditions, identify tipping points in hydrological and ecological systems, and assess the impacts of extreme events such as droughts and floods. This Topic will generate scalable analytical frameworks, open-access datasets, and predictive tools that enable researchers, policymakers, and environmental managers to integrate long-term ecological insights into climate adaptation, water resource planning, and biodiversity conservation. Ultimately, it aims to advance the foundation for sustainable development, ensuring that future environmental management is guided by an understanding of climate–ecosystem interactions across time scales, directly supporting global goals such as SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).This Research Topic focuses on understanding how hydrological processes and ecosystems interact across different time scales under climate change. We welcome studies that combine geological evidence, such as bioindicator signals, with modern observations and models to explore how water systems and living communities respond to climatic shifts. Contributions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:o Reconstructing past hydrological and ecological conditions using bioindicator records (e.g., ostracods, diatoms, pollen)o Assessing the impacts of extreme events such as droughts and floods on water resources and ecosystemso Identifying thresholds and tipping points in hydrological and ecological systems under climate stresso Integrating palaeo-data with contemporary models to improve predictions of future changeo Evaluating ecosystem resilience and adaptation strategies across different landscapes and time scaleso Developing practical tools and frameworks to support climate adaptive water and biodiversity managemento Case studies linking long term ecological insights with current conservation, restoration, or policy practiceWe encourage submissions in various formats, including Original Research, Review Articles, Method Papers, Case Studies, and Policy Perspectives. All manuscripts should clearly connect to ecological or hydrological questions and contribute to understanding hydro ecological interactions under climate change. Topic editors: Can Wang, Zhaoqiang Zhou, Muhammad Abrar Faiz, Faisal Baig, Rosa Coluzzi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78846/cross-scale-insights-into-hydro-ecological-dynamics-under-climate-change