Wetlands at the Interface of Water, Soil, and Climate: Challenges and Opportunities

Wetland science is a rapidly evolving field within hydrology and environmental management, playing a pivotal role in ecosystem service provision ranging from water purification to biodiversity maintenance. Both natural and constructed wetlands are vital for enhancing water quality, mitigating floods, sequestering carbon, and serving as hotspots for ecological diversity. Recent decades have witnessed significant advances in the understanding of wetland biogeochemistry and hydrology, yet persistent questions remain regarding their optimization for water treatment and resource reuse—especially as global demand for sustainable water solutions intensifies. Ongoing challenges include improving removal efficiencies for diverse contaminants, optimizing wetland design, and managing resilience in the face of fluctuating climatic and hydrological regimes. Despite advancements in constructed wetland technologies and the integration of ecological engineering concepts, uncertainties remain around their adaptability, long-term performance, and overall contribution to sustainable water management.This Research Topic aims to bridge the knowledge gap between wetland functioning and their application in sustainable water management, with a particular focus on contaminant removal, water reuse, and climate adaptation. The primary objectives are to unravel the key hydrological, ecological, and biogeochemical mechanisms driving water quality enhancement; to assess how wetland design, plant selection, and soil characteristics influence treatment performance; and to explore strategies for integrating wetlands into broader water reuse frameworks, particularly in regions prone to water scarcity. By encouraging interdisciplinary approaches and embracing advances in experimental methods, modelling, and system monitoring, this topic seeks to foster not only fundamental scientific understanding but also practical solutions to the pressing water challenges of today's changing world.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses both natural and constructed wetlands, with an emphasis on their role in sustainable water treatment and reuse. Studies are limited to themes relevant to wetland functionality, management, and integration within water resource strategies.To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:⦁ Optimization and design of constructed wetlands for water and wastewater treatment.⦁ Hydrological and biogeochemical processes governing pollutant and nutrient removal.⦁ Carbon cycling, soil interactions, and long-term wetland resilience.⦁ Plant species selection and ecological engineering for performance improvement.⦁ Integration of wetlands into local and regional water reuse management systems.⦁ Adaptation and optimization under changing climate and hydrological regimes. ⦁ Systematic monitoring, modeling, and case studies to support practical implementation.Article types invited include original research articles, reviews, and case studies. Topic editors: Francisca C. Aguiar, Paulo Favas, Patrícia Gomes, Manoj Stephen Paul Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75496/wetlands-at-the-interface-of-water-soil-and-climate-challenges-and-opportunities