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Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition)
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Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2026 | Viewed by 19364

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jian Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: coastal wetland; sulfur cycle; carbon sink function; plant invasion; pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chenglang Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: cellular; molecular; biological mechanisms of plant adversity adaptation
Dr. Qiang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
Interests: terrestrial ecosystem; soil organic carbon; biomarker; soil carbon biogeochemistry; plant–soil carbon allocation; soil elements
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wetlands are known as the 'gene pool of species' and have important ecological service functions, playing a significant role in maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon, reducing emissions, and mitigating and preventing natural disasters. Although the area is rather small compared to many other terrestrial ecosystems, wetlands contribute to more than 20% of the total value of ecosystem services globally, exceeding the contributions from terrestrial forests and coral reefs. However, they are facing serious degradation caused by both anthropogenic and natural factors such as environmental pollution and biological invasion, not only posing a threat to wetland biological communities but also quantitatively and qualitatively affecting nutrient cycling, energy flow, and other functions of ecosystems.

Wetlands represent a particularly important research area that is increasingly receiving public attention and protection. This research is critical to the improvement of wetland function-effect predictability and management.

We invite submissions on wetlands from a range of disciplines. They can be based on field observations, modeling, laboratory experiments, and/or geospatial techniques. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: biological invasion, pollution, carbon sink function, the biogeochemical cycle of biogenic elements, ecosystem services, population dynamics, community ecology, global climate change, soil microbial communities, the function of the soil microbiome, the environmental adaptation mechanisms of wetland organisms, wetland landscape, and wetland degradation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jian Li
Dr. Chenglang Pan
Dr. Qiang Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biological invasion
  • pollution
  • carbon sink function
  • the biogeochemical cycle of biogenic elements
  • population and community ecology
  • global climate change
  • coastal zone management
  • the structure and function of the microbiome
  • environmental adaptation mechanisms of wetland organisms
  • wetland landscape
  • wetland degradation

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 4572 KiB  
Article
Mechanisms of Zooplankton Community Assembly and Their Associations with Environmental Drivers in Arid-Region Reservoirs of Northwest China
by Xuelian Qiu, Fangze Zi, Long Yun, Qiang Huo, Liting Yang, Yong Song and Shengao Chen
Biology 2025, 14(6), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060732 - 19 Jun 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanisms of zooplankton community assembly and their relationship to environmental factors in high-latitude arid regions. We conducted seasonal sampling at four reservoirs in the upper Tarim River Basin from 2023 to 2024: Shangyou Reservoir (SY), Shengli Reservoir (SL), Duolang [...] Read more.
This study investigates the mechanisms of zooplankton community assembly and their relationship to environmental factors in high-latitude arid regions. We conducted seasonal sampling at four reservoirs in the upper Tarim River Basin from 2023 to 2024: Shangyou Reservoir (SY), Shengli Reservoir (SL), Duolang Reservoir (DL) and Xinjingzi Reservoir (XJZ). The zooplankton community was categorized into five functional groups based on the predominant species, with small crustacean filter feeders (SCF) in all reservoirs except XJZ, where a seasonal shift between rotifer collectors (RC) in the wet season and SCF in the dry season was observed. Pearson correlation and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that interspecific competition, pH, conductivity (COND), and salinity (SALIN) were the main determinants of zooplankton community composition. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were detected among functional groups RC (rotifers carnivora), RF (rotifers filter feeders), SCF (small copepods and claocera filter feeders), and MCC (middle copepods and claocera carnivora). Environmental factors showed significant spatial heterogeneity, while zooplankton biomass was positively correlated with pH and COND. Cluster similarity analyses indicated complex interactions between 29 zooplankton species, with RF identified as an important positive predictor for larger groups. The network of co-occurrences showed predominantly positive relationships, emphasizing the mutual facilitation between the species. Our results suggest that interspecific interactions have stronger effects on community structuring than environmental factors, with mutual facilitation emerging as an important survival strategy. This study provides important insights into the dynamics of zooplankton communities in dry reservoirs and establishes a framework for understanding ecological patterns and assembly mechanisms under drought conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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42 pages, 6908 KiB  
Article
Vegetation Analysis of Wetland Ecosystems in Southern Turkey Using the Fuzzy Means Method
by Deniz Boz
Biology 2025, 14(6), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060710 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 43
Abstract
In this study, the vegetation of the natural area of the Göksu Delta Special Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), one of Turkey’s most important wetlands, is researched. The importance of this study in terms of contributing to environmental protection and land use planning studies [...] Read more.
In this study, the vegetation of the natural area of the Göksu Delta Special Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), one of Turkey’s most important wetlands, is researched. The importance of this study in terms of contributing to environmental protection and land use planning studies reveals that this natural area, where rare ecosystems are found, has started to degrade and disappear under human influence. This study was conducted because the area is not only a designated RAMSAR wetland (a wetland site designated of international importance especially for the Waterfowl Habitat under the Ramsar Convention) but also includes nearby residential developments. With this study, the vegetation of the area was studied to determine the syntaxonomic units across different habitats. The natural area of Göksu Delta is divided into three main habitat groups: aquatic, sand dune, and halophytic. In the research, the Braun-Blanquet method was used. During the research in the Göksu Delta, 279 sample areas were surveyed. The data were analysed according to the fuzzy means cluster method. During the investigation, 29 associations were identified, and 16 of them are considered a new finding for science. These 29 associations can be classified as follows: aquatic vegetation is represented with four associations (three of them belong to Phragmito-Magnocaricetea and one of them belongs to Potametea classes), sand dune vegetation is represented with 12 associations (belonging to Ammophiletea Br.-Bl. & Tüxen ex Westhoff, Dijk, & Passchier 1946 class), and halophytic vegetation is represented with 13 associations (six of them belong to Salicornietea fruticosae Br.-Bl. & Tüxen ex A. & O. Bolòs 1950, six of them belong to Juncetea maritimi Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl., Roussine & Nègre 1952, and one of them belong to Molinio-Juncetea Br.-Bl. (1931) 1947 classes). Three (Onopordum boissieri, Ambrosia maritima, and Chlamydophora tridentata) of the endemics and rare plants that were explored during the study were recorded as new alliance characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 8099 KiB  
Article
Linking Ecological Stoichiometry to Biomass Allocation in Plants Under Cadmium and Petroleum Stress in the Yellow River Delta
by Shuo Li, Haidong Xu, Hui Ye, Cheng Chang, Jinxiang Zhao and Jiangbao Xia
Biology 2025, 14(6), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060673 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Cadmium and petroleum are the main pollutants in coastal wetland ecosystems that affect plant nutrient balance and growth. Scholars have discovered how saline plants adapt to single stresses. How plant ecology and physiology correspond to complex cadmium and petroleum pollution, especially regarding the [...] Read more.
Cadmium and petroleum are the main pollutants in coastal wetland ecosystems that affect plant nutrient balance and growth. Scholars have discovered how saline plants adapt to single stresses. How plant ecology and physiology correspond to complex cadmium and petroleum pollution, especially regarding the pollution impacts on carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry and biomass allocation in coastal wetland plants, remains unclear, limiting their application in regard to pollution remediation. This study focuses on Suaeda salsa, a popular species used in vegetation restoration in the Yellow River Delta’s coastal wetlands. Through the use of pot experiments, the dynamic changes in plant–soil ecological stoichiometry and biomass allocation were systematically investigated in response to individual and combined cadmium (0, 5, and 10 mg kg−1) and petroleum (0, 6, and 12 g kg−1) treatments. Compared with the control (CK), petroleum stress significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN) and plant total phosphorus (TP) contents, but did not substantially impact the total carbon (TC) content, resulting in 19.7% and 26.6% decreases in the plant C/N and C/P ratios, respectively. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content increased significantly under petroleum stress, whereas the TN and TP contents did not notably change, considerably increasing the soil C/N and C/P ratios, which were 1.5 times and 1.3 times greater than those of the CK, respectively. Cadmium stress alone or with petroleum stress did not significantly affect the C, N, or P stoichiometry or biomass allocation in S. salsa. The soil C/N/P stoichiometry redundancy analysis revealed that the contribution rates (especially the soil C/P and C/N ratios) to the total biomass and its allocation in S. salsa (64.5%) were greater than those of the control group plants (35.5%). The correlation analysis revealed that the total growth biomass of S. salsa was negatively correlated with the soil carbon content, C/N ratio, and C/P ratio, but positively correlated with the plant C/N and C/P ratios. The aboveground biomass proportion in S. salsa was significantly negatively correlated with the soil N/P ratio. The belowground biomass proportion exhibited the opposite trend. Petroleum pollution was the main factor driving S. salsa stoichiometry and growth changes, increasing the soil C/N and C/P ratios, reducing the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient absorption capacities in plant roots, limiting plant nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, and inhibiting biomass accumulation. Appropriate N and P supplementation alleviated plant growth inhibition due to petroleum pollution stress, which was conducive to improving vegetation ecological restoration in the Yellow River Delta. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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18 pages, 6261 KiB  
Article
Soil Microbial Community Characteristics and Influencing Factors in Alpine Marsh Wetlands with Different Degradation Levels in Qilian Mountain National Park, Qinghai, China
by Jintao Zhang, Xufeng Mao, Hongyan Yu, Xin Jin, Lele Zhang, Kai Du, Yanxiang Jin, Yongxiao Yang and Xianying Wang
Biology 2025, 14(6), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060598 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
The microbial community is one of the key indicators for evaluating the health of alpine marsh wetlands, and understanding the composition and health of alpine wetland communities provides a scientific rationale for conservation and restoration efforts. Taking the alpine marsh wetlands in Qilian [...] Read more.
The microbial community is one of the key indicators for evaluating the health of alpine marsh wetlands, and understanding the composition and health of alpine wetland communities provides a scientific rationale for conservation and restoration efforts. Taking the alpine marsh wetlands in Qilian Mountain National Park, Qinghai Province, as the research object, 27 soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected in July 2024 from three types of wetlands: non-degraded (ND), low-level degraded (LD), and heavily degraded (HD). Using high-throughput sequencing, PICRUSt2 functional prediction, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and redundancy analysis (RDA), we analyzed the bacterial community structure and functional characteristics as well as the soil physicochemical properties across different degradation levels and soil depths. Pearson correlation analysis and RDA were used to identify key soil indicators influencing microbial community characteristics. The results showed that (1) compared to ND, the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota increased from 12.3% to 23.7%, and that of Pseudomonadota increased from 28.5% to 35.1% in HD wetlands. Meanwhile, the Shannon index rose from 5.31 in ND to 6.52 in HD, indicating significantly increased microbial community diversity and complexity with wetland degradation (p < 0.05). (2) Vertically, the six major primary metabolic functions gradually weakened with increasing soil depth in all three types of wetlands, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased from 0 to 30 cm, and the α-diversity indices of soil bacteria also declined with depth. (3) Compared to ND, LD and HD showed significantly lower soil moisture content, organic matter, and total organic carbon (p < 0.05), while total potassium and pH increased significantly (p < 0.05). With increasing depth, total nitrogen significantly decreased across all degradation types (p < 0.05). Bacterial diversity, as measured by the Shannon and Simpson indices, showed a significant correlation with several soil properties (moisture, organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium, cation exchange capacity, and total organic carbon; p < 0.05). Furthermore, pH emerged as a primary environmental driver shaping microbial community structure across different soil depths. These findings offer technical guidance and a theoretical framework for comprehending the degradation and restoration dynamics of alpine marsh wetland ecosystems in the Qilian Mountains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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13 pages, 1258 KiB  
Article
The Main Factors Affecting the Minimum Sampling Area Determination Method: Based on Research of the Shrub Layer in Island Pinus massoniana Forests
by Jihong Xiao, Qingyan Wen, Zhifei Zhong, Yanqiu Xie, Yingxue Wang, Xing Cai, Yuchen Lin, Feifan Weng, Guochang Ding and Chuanyuan Deng
Biology 2025, 14(4), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040372 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 423
Abstract
Determining the minimum sampling area is crucial for accurate and cost-effective biodiversity surveys. This study identifies the main factors (e.g., species richness and evenness) influencing the inflection point method and precision method, aiming to scientifically establish the minimum sampling area for studying the [...] Read more.
Determining the minimum sampling area is crucial for accurate and cost-effective biodiversity surveys. This study identifies the main factors (e.g., species richness and evenness) influencing the inflection point method and precision method, aiming to scientifically establish the minimum sampling area for studying the shrub layer diversity of the Pinus massoniana community on Sandu Island, Ningde. Using 64 nested samples (20 m × 20 m) from eight sampling plots, we analyzed the species–area relationship and minimum sampling area. Key findings include the following: (1) The power function model (S = 4.053A0.404) best described the species–area relationship. (2) Species richness significantly influenced the inflection point method, with rare species increasing the required sampling area. (3) Species distribution uniformity and sampling methods affected model outcomes. (4) Repeated sampling from the four corners of the plots reduced bias caused by uneven species distribution. (5) Considering cost, accuracy, and inflection points, a minimum sampling area of 142 m2 achieved 70% sampling accuracy. This study provides a methodological framework for accurate minimum sampling area analysis and offers valuable insights for biodiversity studies of P. massoniana shrub layers in island ecosystems, with implications for international research on similar forest communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 20945 KiB  
Article
Responses of Soil Respiration and Ecological Environmental Factors to Warming and Thermokarst in River Source Wetlands of the Qinghai Lake Basin
by Yanli Yang, Ni Zhang, Zhiyun Zhou, Lin Li, Kelong Chen, Wei Ji and Xia Zhao
Biology 2024, 13(11), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13110863 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 8630
Abstract
Global climate warming has led to the deepening of the active layer of permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau, further triggering thermal subsidence phenomena, which have profound effects on the carbon cycle of regional ecosystems. This study conducted warming (W) and thermal subsidence (RR) [...] Read more.
Global climate warming has led to the deepening of the active layer of permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau, further triggering thermal subsidence phenomena, which have profound effects on the carbon cycle of regional ecosystems. This study conducted warming (W) and thermal subsidence (RR) control experiments using an Open-Top Chamber (OTC) device in the river source wetlands of the Qinghai Lake basin. The aim was to assess the impacts of warming and thermal subsidence on soil temperature, volumetric water content, biomass, microbial diversity, and soil respiration (both autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration). The results indicate that warming significantly increased soil temperature, especially during the colder seasons, and thermal subsidence treatment further exacerbated this effect. Soil volumetric water content significantly decreased under thermal subsidence, with the RRW treatment having the most pronounced impact on moisture. Additionally, a microbial diversity analysis revealed that warming promoted bacterial richness in the surface soil, while thermal subsidence suppressed fungal community diversity. Soil respiration rates exhibited a unimodal curve during the growing season. Warming treatment significantly reduced autotrophic respiration rates, while thermal subsidence inhibited heterotrophic respiration. Further analysis indicated that under thermal subsidence treatment, soil respiration was most sensitive to temperature changes, with a Q10 value reaching 7.39, reflecting a strong response to climate warming. In summary, this study provides new scientific evidence for understanding the response mechanisms of soil carbon cycling in Tibetan Plateau wetlands to climate warming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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13 pages, 1590 KiB  
Article
Divergent Changes in Soil Iron-Bound Organic Carbon Between Distinct Determination Methods
by Lei Yang, Hui Yang, Ganggang Sun, Xueqin Wang and Tianli Zheng
Biology 2024, 13(11), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13110852 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1592
Abstract
Fe-OC is crucial for SOC preservation in the global ecosystem. However, there is still significant uncertainty in the determination methods of Fe-OC, and these methods are often not calibrated to each other, making the Fe-OC content by different methods impossible to compare. Here, [...] Read more.
Fe-OC is crucial for SOC preservation in the global ecosystem. However, there is still significant uncertainty in the determination methods of Fe-OC, and these methods are often not calibrated to each other, making the Fe-OC content by different methods impossible to compare. Here, Fe-OC is analyzed by the CBD method and the SD method from 45 soils from different land types (e.g., wetland, grassland, and forest) to compare and analyze the uncertainty and influencing factors between the two methods. Our results showed that the Fe-OC contributions to SOC (fFe-OC) measured by CBD and SD methods were significantly lower in the wetland ecosystem than in grassland and forest ecosystems. The Fe-OC content and fFe-OC in the grassland ecosystem was significantly higher using the CBD method compared to the SD method, with no significant difference between the methods in wetland and forest ecosystems. The random forest model revealed that Fe-OCCBD content was mainly affected by C/N, Clay%, and TC, whereas SOC, total nitrogen, and soil inorganic carbon were the main influences on Fe-OCSD. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of incorporating ecosystem types and soil properties into soil carbon estimation models when predicting and estimating Fe-OC and its contribution to SOC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 4188 KiB  
Article
Environmental and Climatic Drivers of Phytoplankton Communities in Central Asia
by Fangze Zi, Tianjian Song, Jiaxuan Liu, Huanhuan Wang, Gulden Serekbol, Liting Yang, Linghui Hu, Qiang Huo, Yong Song, Bin Huo, Baoqiang Wang and Shengao Chen
Biology 2024, 13(9), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090717 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1632
Abstract
Artificial water bodies in Central Asia offer unique environments in which to study plankton diversity influenced by topographic barriers. However, the complexity of these ecosystems and limited comprehensive studies in the region challenge our understanding. In this study, we systematically investigated the water [...] Read more.
Artificial water bodies in Central Asia offer unique environments in which to study plankton diversity influenced by topographic barriers. However, the complexity of these ecosystems and limited comprehensive studies in the region challenge our understanding. In this study, we systematically investigated the water environment parameters and phytoplankton community structure by surveying 14 artificial waters on the southern side of the Altai Mountains and the northern and southern sides of the Tianshan Mountains in the Xinjiang region. The survey covered physical and nutrient indicators, and the results showed noticeable spatial differences between waters in different regions. The temperature, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus of artificial water in the southern Altai Mountains vary greatly. In contrast, the waters in the northern Tianshan Mountains have more consistent physical indicators. The results of phytoplankton identification showed that the phytoplankton communities in different regions are somewhat different, with diatom species being the dominant taxon. The cluster analysis and the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) results also confirmed the variability of the phytoplankton communities in the areas. The variance partitioning analysis (VPA) results showed that climatic and environmental factors can explain some of the variability of the observed data. Nevertheless, the residual values indicated the presence of other unmeasured factors or the influence of stochasticity. This study provides a scientific basis for regional water resource management and environmental protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 2383 KiB  
Article
Genetic Variability in Mediterranean Coastal Ecosystems: Insights into Ostrea spp. (Bivalvia: Ostreidae)
by Giuseppe Esposito, Simone Peletto, Ximing Guo, Paolo Pastorino, Alessandra Arillo, Isabella Martini, Pier Luigi Acutis, Davide Mugetti, Domenico Meloni, Marino Prearo and Paola Modesto
Biology 2024, 13(9), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090702 - 7 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1246
Abstract
Oysters are sessile, filter-feeding bivalve molluscs widely distributed in estuarine and coastal habitats worldwide. They constitute a valuable resource for fisheries and extensive aquaculture and provide essential ecological services. Yet, their genetic diversity and distribution remain understudied. The variability in shell morphology complicates [...] Read more.
Oysters are sessile, filter-feeding bivalve molluscs widely distributed in estuarine and coastal habitats worldwide. They constitute a valuable resource for fisheries and extensive aquaculture and provide essential ecological services. Yet, their genetic diversity and distribution remain understudied. The variability in shell morphology complicates species classification, which is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Although molecular phylogenetics research has refined oyster taxonomy and identified approximately 100 extant species, numerous taxonomic uncertainties persist. In the present study, we aimed to document the occurrence of small flat oysters of the genus Ostrea along the Mediterranean coastal areas of Liguria and Sardinia (Italy). Specifically, 16S rRNA sequence data were used to identify Ostrea species. Our findings offer novel insights into the O. stentina species complex and O. neostentina, a new species in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Italy. The study data further our understanding of Ostrea species diversity, distribution, and evolutionary patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 5162 KiB  
Article
Methanogenic Community Characteristics and Its Influencing Factors in Reservoir Sediments on the Northeastern Qinghai Plateau
by Zebi Liu, Xufeng Mao, Yi Wu, Liang Xia, Hongyan Yu, Wenjia Tang, Yanhong Qi, Ziping Zhang, Feng Xiao and Haichuan Ji
Biology 2024, 13(8), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080615 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1508
Abstract
Reservoirs are a hotspot for methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. However, the microbial basis for methane production in the Qinghai Plateau reservoirs remains unclear. To explore the characteristics of methanogenic communities in reservoir sediments on the northeastern Qinghai Plateau, sediment samples were [...] Read more.
Reservoirs are a hotspot for methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. However, the microbial basis for methane production in the Qinghai Plateau reservoirs remains unclear. To explore the characteristics of methanogenic communities in reservoir sediments on the northeastern Qinghai Plateau, sediment samples were collected from 18 reservoirs in the Yellow River basin during May 2023 (dry season) and August 2023 (wet season). High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze the community composition, diversity, and co-occurrence network of methanogens. Furthermore, FAPROTAX and Mantel analysis were used to assess the metabolic functions of methanogens and their influencing factors. The results showed that (1) the predominant genera of methanogens were Methanobacterium (28.87%) and Methanosarcina (21.67%). Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was the main pathway in the sediments. (2) Significant spatiotemporal differences were observed in the diversity of methanogenic communities (p < 0.05). The composition and diversity of these communities were found to be significantly influenced by temperature, pH, altitude, organic carbon, and total nitrogen (p < 0.05). (3) Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium, and Methanospirillum play crucial roles in maintaining the stability of methanogenic community networks. The co-occurrence network nodes are predominantly positively correlated (99.82%). These results provide data for further studies on carbon cycling in the Qinghai Plateau reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 11985 KiB  
Article
Response Characteristics and Community Assembly Mechanisms of nirS-Type Denitrifiers in the Alpine Wetland under Simulated Precipitation Conditions
by Ni Zhang, Kelong Chen, Ji Chen, Wei Ji, Ziwei Yang and Zhirong Chen
Biology 2024, 13(8), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080596 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1158
Abstract
The nitrogen cycling process in alpine wetlands is profoundly affected by precipitation changes, yet the dynamic response mechanism of denitrifiers to long-term precipitation shifts in the alpine wetland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau remains enigmatic. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing analysis of nirS-type functional genes, this [...] Read more.
The nitrogen cycling process in alpine wetlands is profoundly affected by precipitation changes, yet the dynamic response mechanism of denitrifiers to long-term precipitation shifts in the alpine wetland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau remains enigmatic. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing analysis of nirS-type functional genes, this study delved into the dynamic response mechanism of nirS-type denitrifiers to precipitation changes in the alpine wetland of Qinghai Lake. The findings revealed that nirS-type denitrifiers in the alpine wetland of Qinghai Lake were primarily Proteobacteria, and Alpha diversity exhibited a negative correlation with the precipitation gradient, with deterministic processes predominating in the community assembly of denitrifying microbes. A 50% increase in rainfall shifted the community assembly process of denitrifiers from deterministic to stochastic. Dominant microflora at the genus level responded significantly to precipitation changes, with aerobic bacteria comprising the majority of differentially abundant taxa (55.56%). As precipitation increased, the complexity of the microbial interaction network decreased, and a 25% reduction in precipitation notably elevated the relative abundance of three key functional groups: chemoheterotrophic, aerobic chemoheterotrophic, and nitrogen fixation. Precipitation notably emerged as the primary regulator of nirS-type denitrifiers in the alpine wetland of Qinghai Lake, accounting for 51% of the variation in community composition. In summary, this study offers a fresh perspective for investigating the ecological processes of nitrogen cycling in alpine ecosystems by examining the diversity and community composition of nirS-type denitrifiers in response to precipitation changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 4487 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Effects of Constructed Wetlands on Water Quality Characteristics in Jinshan Lake: A Gate Dam Lake (Zhenjiang City, China)
by Xiao Li, Xinlin Liu, Yulong Zhang, Jing Liu, Yang Huang and Jian Li
Biology 2024, 13(8), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080593 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1259
Abstract
Urban lakes commonly suffer from nutrient over-enrichment, resulting in water quality deterioration and eutrophication. Constructed wetlands are widely employed for ecological restoration in such lakes but their efficacy in water purification noticeably fluctuates with the seasons. This study takes the constructed wetland of [...] Read more.
Urban lakes commonly suffer from nutrient over-enrichment, resulting in water quality deterioration and eutrophication. Constructed wetlands are widely employed for ecological restoration in such lakes but their efficacy in water purification noticeably fluctuates with the seasons. This study takes the constructed wetland of Jinshan Lake as an example. By analyzing the water quality parameters at three depths during both summer and winter, this study explores the influence of the constructed wetland on the water quality of each layer during different seasons and elucidates the potential mechanisms underlying these seasonal effects. The results indicate that the constructed wetland significantly enhances total nitrogen (TN) concentration during summer and exhibits the capacity for nitrate–nitrogen removal in winter. However, its efficacy in removing total phosphorus (TP) is limited, and may even serve as a potential phosphorus (P) source for the lake during winter. Water quality test results of different samples indicated they belong to Class III or IV. Restrictive factors varied across seasons: nitrate–nitrogen and BOD5 jointly affected water quality in winter, whereas TP predominantly constrained water quality in summer. These results could provide a reference for water quality monitoring and management strategies of constructed wetlands in different seasons in Jiangsu Province. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Ecosystems (2nd Edition))
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