Water-Smart Integrated Production Systems: From Aquaponics to Multitrophic Aquaculture

Recirculating and controlled-environment food production systems are at the forefront of the movement toward sustainable and water-efficient agriculture. These systems, which include aquaponics, integrated multitrophic aquaculture, biofloc-based operations, and hybrid recirculating designs, are acclaimed for their potential to reduce freshwater withdrawals, enhance nutrient recycling, and limit environmental discharge by reusing water and nutrients within closed or semi-closed loops. While significant advancements have been made—especially with the maturation of biofloc technology—there remain key challenges and open questions concerning system integration, nutrient cycling, chemical stability, and food and water safety. Recent studies highlight that improper integration or suboptimal management can result in imbalances such as oxygen depletion, nitrogen overload, salinity drift, and increased microbial risks, ultimately undermining economic viability and product safety. Although biofloc technology offers transferable microbial management strategies and engineering insights, a deeper exploration across diverse integrated systems is imperative to achieve operational resilience, resource efficiency, and truly circular solutions. Progress also depends increasingly on digital monitoring, automation, and decision-support, which can elevate both system stability and sustainable outcomes.This Research Topic aims to propel the development and optimization of water-smart integrated production systems by fostering multidisciplinary research in aquaponics, multitrophic aquaculture, and related hybrid designs. The focus is on enhancing nutrient recycling and circularity, implementing biofloc and microbial management principles across systems, and accurately measuring improvements in water productivity and discharge reduction. In addition, the topic seeks to advance knowledge on safeguarding food and water safety within circular nutrient pathways, and to build a strong evidence base for trade-offs—such as those between water savings, energy requirements, environmental impacts, and economic sustainability. By uniting studies on biological integration with technological innovation and sustainability assessment, this Research Topic aims to catalyze the next generation of water-efficient food production solutions.Within this Research Topic, the scope is limited to systems and studies that substantively address water management, nutrient integration, circular economy, or sustainability in food production. Research that does not directly engage with these aspects falls outside the intended boundaries. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:Nutrient recycling and trophic integration in aquaponics, integrated multitrophic aquaculture, biofloc-based, and hybrid recirculating systemsMicrobial processes and biofloc management strategies for nutrient retention and system stabilityQuantitative metrics for water productivity, reuse rates, and discharge minimizationApproaches to water quality stabilization and nutrient retention in circular and recirculating loopsFood and water safety within integrated and circular production environmentsUse of alternative water sources and related safety frameworksMonitoring technologies, automation, and decision-support for operational resilienceLife cycle and sustainability assessments linking water efficiency, environmental outcomes, and economic feasibilityAppendix: Article types considered include Original Research, Reviews, Methods, Case Studies, and Perspectives. Topic editors: Adolfo Jatobá, Felipe Boéchat Vieira Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78427/water-smart-integrated-production-systems-from-aquaponics-to-multitrophic-aquaculture