Aquatic plant communities are crucial components of freshwater ecosystems, often governing the ecological equilibrium and functionality of rivers, streams, and wetlands. They encompass a diverse range of submerged, emergent, and floating plants, supporting the overall balance and resilience of aquatic ecosystems. They play a key role in various ecological and environmental contexts, including ecosystem stability and the global carbon cycle, as well as providing vital habitats for a diverse range of organisms. Several factors shape the aquatic ecosystems, ranging from light, depth, temperature of the water, water flow, and biotic factors, to other external stressors that have over time modified the tolerance and presence of these communities. Further research is required to shed light on the impact of increasing environmental changes and the need for a thorough understanding of how aquatic plant communities respond to such alterations.

The main goal of this Research Topic is to examine the complexities of aquatic plant communities and their dynamic interactions with different environmental factors. We aim to explore aquatic plant functional diversity and compare its potential to reveal these interactions. We also hope to investigate interactions between plants and other biological elements, as well as how they cope with biological invasions. Another goal is to examine the diverse responses of wetland vegetation to expected changes in the environmental factors driven by climate change. We encourage scientists to submit their insights into the adaptive strategies of these communities. Ultimately, we hope to enhance our understanding of the ecological roles played by aquatic plants and to encourage effective conservation and management strategies for these vital ecosystems.

We invite researchers to submit their original research, review, and method articles on the following sub-themes:

• Taxonomic composition and functional diversity patterns
• Biotic interactions between aquatic plants
• Biological invasions impacts
• Ecological interactions between aquatic plants and other communities
• Adaptive strategies of aquatic plants in response to environmental gradients
• Plant-flow interactions
• Studies on the functional roles of different aquatic plant species
• Impact of human interference on altering macrophyte characteristics
• Resilient traits and adaptive strategies under changing environmental conditions
• Conservation strategies for preserving aquatic plant diversity

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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