Located in sheltered coastal areas, estuaries are simultaneously among the world’s most valuable and threatened ecosystems. Besides being extremely productive and attractive for many species of fish and birds, they also offer very attractive conditions for the establishment of human settlements and the development of socio-economic activities, which are recognised to unbalance the ecosystem functioning and health. The major threats to estuaries include discharges of pollutants and nutrients that impair water quality and changes in geomorphology (e.g., channels dredging, construction of dams and hydraulic structures) that directly affect hydrodynamic conditions (e.g., current velocity, flooding patterns, residence time, salinity intrusion, etc.), endangering many species that may not be adapted to live in different conditions. Moreover, estuarine hydrodynamics and consequent services are also being affected by climate change and induced mean sea level rise, modifications in freshwater input and air/water temperature increase.
The rapid degradation of estuarine ecosystems has created the need for the development and application of accurate and intensive monitoring methods and tools able to predict the effects of growing climate and anthropogenic threats. Monitoring of estuaries through in situ or remote sensing methods and laboratory analysis enabled the timely identification of threats, giving crucial information to stakeholders and administrations responsible for their management. Otherwise, numerical modelling of estuaries has progressed considerably and contributed to a better understanding of estuarine processes and the effects of environmental changes on the ecosystem. Although notable advances have occurred in the monitoring and modelling of estuaries, many aspects still need to be improved, namely those that increase both the spatial and temporal resolution of the data available for analysis. Moreover, it is essential to better understand the physical processes determining the estuarine dynamics and the complex interplay between physical and biological processes, including blue carbon sequestration.
This Research Topic welcomes studies aiming to improve the monitoring or modelling of estuarine ecosystems, being highly appreciated studies contributing to solving current spatial and temporal limitations. We also welcome submissions of Original Research, Mini Reviews, Reviews, Community Case Studies, and
Methods fitting any of the following topics, but not limited to:
• Estuarine monitoring through remote sensing methods
• Estuarine ecosystem products derived from remote sensing data
• Observing platforms for continuous monitoring of estuarine ecosystems
• Monitoring or modelling hydrodynamic, morphodynamic, biogeochemical, ecological, and biophysical processes in estuaries
• Modelling the effects of climate changes, and or anthropogenic threats on estuarine ecosystems
Located in sheltered coastal areas, estuaries are simultaneously among the world’s most valuable and threatened ecosystems. Besides being extremely productive and attractive for many species of fish and birds, they also offer very attractive conditions for the establishment of human settlements and the development of socio-economic activities, which are recognised to unbalance the ecosystem functioning and health. The major threats to estuaries include discharges of pollutants and nutrients that impair water quality and changes in geomorphology (e.g., channels dredging, construction of dams and hydraulic structures) that directly affect hydrodynamic conditions (e.g., current velocity, flooding patterns, residence time, salinity intrusion, etc.), endangering many species that may not be adapted to live in different conditions. Moreover, estuarine hydrodynamics and consequent services are also being affected by climate change and induced mean sea level rise, modifications in freshwater input and air/water temperature increase.
The rapid degradation of estuarine ecosystems has created the need for the development and application of accurate and intensive monitoring methods and tools able to predict the effects of growing climate and anthropogenic threats. Monitoring of estuaries through in situ or remote sensing methods and laboratory analysis enabled the timely identification of threats, giving crucial information to stakeholders and administrations responsible for their management. Otherwise, numerical modelling of estuaries has progressed considerably and contributed to a better understanding of estuarine processes and the effects of environmental changes on the ecosystem. Although notable advances have occurred in the monitoring and modelling of estuaries, many aspects still need to be improved, namely those that increase both the spatial and temporal resolution of the data available for analysis. Moreover, it is essential to better understand the physical processes determining the estuarine dynamics and the complex interplay between physical and biological processes, including blue carbon sequestration.
This Research Topic welcomes studies aiming to improve the monitoring or modelling of estuarine ecosystems, being highly appreciated studies contributing to solving current spatial and temporal limitations. We also welcome submissions of Original Research, Mini Reviews, Reviews, Community Case Studies, and
Methods fitting any of the following topics, but not limited to:
• Estuarine monitoring through remote sensing methods
• Estuarine ecosystem products derived from remote sensing data
• Observing platforms for continuous monitoring of estuarine ecosystems
• Monitoring or modelling hydrodynamic, morphodynamic, biogeochemical, ecological, and biophysical processes in estuaries
• Modelling the effects of climate changes, and or anthropogenic threats on estuarine ecosystems
