Wetland Restoration and Functional Improvement

Wetlands are vital natural ecosystems that play critical roles in water conservation, water quality purification, climate regulation, carbon sequestration and enhancement, and biodiversity preservation. Among the 169 specific goals outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), over 70 are directly or indirectly related to wetlands, underscoring their significance in maintaining global biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. However, due to the combined impacts of climate change and human activities, wetland ecosystems have experienced substantial degradation. Since 1970, the global extent of wetlands has declined by approximately 22%, a rate that significantly exceeds the degradation and loss observed in other terrestrial ecosystems.This Research Topic aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms driving the degradation of key wetland functions and to elucidate the interactions among multiple environmental elements, as well as the interconnected regulatory processes within wetland systems. The development and application of innovative, environmentally sustainable technologies for the effective restoration of degraded wetlands can enhance plant diversity, mitigate soil salinization, address water pollution, and improve habitat quality for waterfowl.Through multi-scale temporal and spatial observations, researchers can explore the multifunctional characteristics of wetlands and their dynamic feedback responses to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. These insights will support the advancement of nature-based solutions for wetland restoration.We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:1. Hydrological and ecological evolution processes and coupling mechanisms in wet-lands under changing environmental conditions2. Key driving forces behind wetland degradation3. Innovative technologies and methodologies for wetland restoration4. Assessment of the potential to enhance ecological functions of wetlands5. Optimization of plant community configurations to improve multifunctional syner-gies6. Techniques and applications for strengthening wetland habitat functions7. Restoration of food sources for waterfowl8. Evaluation of wetland ecosystem stability9. Nature-based strategies for wetland restoration Topic editors: Yuxiang Yuan, Mikk Espenberg, Yongyong Zhang, Shouzheng Tong, Xiaoyan Zhu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73963/wetland-restoration-and-functional-improvement