About this Research Topic
Wetlands are diverse ecosystems worldwide, corresponding to areas that are inundated or saturated by water, supporting very typical biodiversity adapted and dependent on water regimes and associated soils. Although the sources of water in wetlands can vary from groundwater, inundation, back flooding from rivers, and surface runoff from adjacent lands, these sources can all be impacted by shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. That is why wetlands are considered especially vulnerable to climate change in the short, medium, or long term. Additionally, wetlands are also strongly vulnerable to land use changes and anthropic disturbances such as pollution and sediment loads carried out to their water bodies. The combination of pollutants and climate changes can disrupt wetlands' stability and resilience and reinforce the chain of disturbance in the natural cycle. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of wetlands in carbon sequestration, water purification, and biodiversity conservation, yet gaps remain in understanding the full extent of their vulnerability and the effectiveness of current management strategies. Addressing these gaps is crucial for developing robust conservation and restoration practices.
This research topic aims to improve knowledge about wetlands worldwide, focusing on the relationship between wetlands, land use change, and climate change to describe their vulnerability under different anthropic drivers. The goal is to understand the characteristics of wetlands in various parts of the world to contribute to reversing their global loss and encouraging their conservation. By seeking geographical diversity in contributions, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive portrait of these important ecosystems. Additionally, the research will explore management tools and strategies, the role of cultural aspects, and traditional knowledge for sustainable wetland conservation practices.
To gather further insights into the vulnerability and management of wetlands under climate change, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Water security in wetlands: nature-based vs. engineering-based solutions
- Wetland restoration
- Climate change impacts on wetlands
- Wetlands' environment modeling with land and water use
- National public policies and global initiatives for wetlands
- Social aspects of wetlands (cultural value, paleo aspects of wetlands)
- Risk and wetlands’ vulnerability
- Environmental education for wetlands’ protection
- Cultural value of wetlands
- Social and economic aspects of wetlands
- Wetland awareness
- Wetland-based education and scientific literacy
This research topic aims to improve knowledge about wetlands worldwide, focusing on the relationship between wetlands, land use change, and climate change to describe their vulnerability under different anthropic drivers. The goal is to understand the characteristics of wetlands in various parts of the world to contribute to reversing their global loss and encouraging their conservation. By seeking geographical diversity in contributions, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive portrait of these important ecosystems. Additionally, the research will explore management tools and strategies, the role of cultural aspects, and traditional knowledge for sustainable wetland conservation practices.
To gather further insights into the vulnerability and management of wetlands under climate change, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Water security in wetlands: nature-based vs. engineering-based solutions
- Wetland restoration
- Climate change impacts on wetlands
- Wetlands' environment modeling with land and water use
- National public policies and global initiatives for wetlands
- Social aspects of wetlands (cultural value, paleo aspects of wetlands)
- Risk and wetlands’ vulnerability
- Environmental education for wetlands’ protection
- Cultural value of wetlands
- Social and economic aspects of wetlands
- Wetland awareness
- Wetland-based education and scientific literacy
Keywords: water security, ecosystem restoration, resilience, solutions based on nature, integrated water resources management
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
