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Diversity
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Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation
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Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 993

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lele Liu

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Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Interests: soil microbial community; soil chemical environment and microbial community; plant ecology; community ecology; common reed; coastal wetland; molecular ecology
Dr. Yaolin Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Interests: coastal ecology; plant ecology; biological invasions; biogeography; evolutionary ecology
Dr. Youzheng Zhang

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Guest Editor
Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
Interests: wetland biodiversity; biological invasions; global change biology; biogeography
Prof. Dr. Weihua Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Interests: wetland; genetic diversity; plant functional traits; ecosystem

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This issue is dedicated to investigating the complex and vital relationships that define the ecological integrity of freshwater, marsh, coastal, and artificial wetlands. In an era marked by rapid environmental change, the preservation and understanding of these ecosystems have become increasingly critical.

The background for this research is rooted in the profound alterations our planet is undergoing. Global change, encompassing climate shifts, pollution, and habitat degradation, coupled with direct human interventions, is reshaping the very fabric of wetland ecosystems. Issues such as eutrophication, salt stress, the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes, and the pervasive presence of microplastics are posing unprecedented challenges to wetland biodiversity.

The significance of this research lies in its potential to elucidate the consequences of these environmental pressures on the structure and function of wetland ecosystems. By focusing on the responses and ecological roles of key species or groups—whether they are native dominants, invasive species, or those facing the threat of extinction—we aim to uncover the mechanisms driving changes in biodiversity patterns. This knowledge is essential for developing effective conservation strategies and management practices that can sustain wetland ecosystems in the face of ongoing global and anthropogenic disturbances.

This Special Issue seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on wetland ecosystems by addressing the following themes:

  • The impact of global change and anthropogenic disturbances on wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • The ecological and evolutionary responses of key species or groups to environmental stressors.
  • The role of invasive species and biological invasions in altering wetland community dynamics.
  • The conservation challenges and opportunities in the context of changing wetland landscapes.

We invite you to join us in this important endeavor by submitting your research findings and insights to this Special Issue. Together, we can advance our understanding of wetland ecosystems and their conservation in the face of a rapidly changing world.

Warm regards,

Dr. Lele Liu
Dr. Yaolin Guo
Dr. Youzheng Zhang
Prof. Dr. Weihua Guo
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. Diversity 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 2100 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

  • wetland biodiversity
  • ecosystem conservation
  • global change biology
  • anthropogenic disturbance
  • biological invasion

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1686 KiB  
Article
Spartina alterniflora-Derived Biochar Alters Biomass Allocation and Root Traits of Native Scirpus mariqueter
by Yaoyao Tang, Jingwen Gao, Pengcheng Jiang, Junzhen Li, Ming Wu, Shengwu Jiao, Long Zhang, Niu Li and Xuexin Shao
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050357 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 187
Abstract
Coastal wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, yet large-scale removal of invasive Spartina alterniflora disrupts soil carbon pools and fragments habitats. Converting this biomass to biochar may enhance restoration outcomes, though ecological effects remain poorly understood. We evaluated how Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar (0%, [...] Read more.
Coastal wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, yet large-scale removal of invasive Spartina alterniflora disrupts soil carbon pools and fragments habitats. Converting this biomass to biochar may enhance restoration outcomes, though ecological effects remain poorly understood. We evaluated how Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 3%) influences growth performance, clonal reproduction, root morphology, and rhizosphere properties of native Scirpus mariqueter. Moderate biochar addition (1%) significantly boosted plant performance, increasing total biomass by 64.5%, aboveground biomass by 36.7%, and belowground biomass by 115.0%, while root length increased by 135.8%. Biochar improved soil moisture and nutrient availability, including nitrate nitrogen (NO3⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4⁺-N), and available phosphorus (AP), while stimulating nitrification and promoting clonal propagation. In contrast, high-dose biochar (3%) elevated soil salinity and electrical conductivity, leading to suppressed plant growth and reproductive allocation. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between root volume and soil nutrient levels. Our findings demonstrate that moderate application of Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar enhances plant productivity and soil function, potentially improving carbon sequestration in restored coastal wetlands. This study provides insights into ecological recycling of invasive biomass and supports biochar as a viable tool for sustainable wetland restoration, though potential risks at high concentrations warrant further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation)
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13 pages, 3446 KiB  
Article
Effects of Phenotypic Plasticity and Genetic Variation on Plant Growth and Litter Decomposition in a Widespread Wetland Grass
by Wei Wei, Qishen Wen, Hong Zhu, Huijia Song, Xiya Zhang, Wenyi Sheng, Liujuan Xie, Xiao Guo, Yaolin Guo, Siyuan Ye, Yuzhi Wang, Lele Liu and Weihua Guo
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040282 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological services, such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration, where the diversity of wetland plants is fundamental to maintaining these functions. Phragmites australis is a globally widespread wetland grass with a [...] Read more.
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological services, such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration, where the diversity of wetland plants is fundamental to maintaining these functions. Phragmites australis is a globally widespread wetland grass with a high genetic diversity, exhibiting strong intraspecific variation across environmental gradients. While both phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation are recognized drivers of plant adaptation, their relative importance in mediating the growth and decomposition traits of wetland plants remains debated. Here, we surveyed the growth and litter traits of two lineages (haplotypes) of P. australis in two common gardens in eastern China. The leaf litter of P. australis was also collected from the field in two provinces where the two common gardens are located. Microcosm experiments were carried out to explore the litter decomposition ability. We found that the common garden (growth environment) significantly affected the growth performance (shoot diameter and height), leaf litter stoichiometric traits (contents of N and P), and the leaf decomposition over 180 days. The N content in the leaf litter from the higher-latitude province of Liaoning was greater than that from the lower-latitude province of Shandong, regardless of whether it was collected from the field or the common garden. The litter N and P contents were the key factors affecting the decomposition during the 180-day experiment. However, we did not find the effects of lineage (genetic variation) on the variation of these traits. The climatic factors of the genotype origin were significantly correlated with the growth traits but not the litter traits or decomposition rates. The findings indicate that P. australis in eastern temperate China primarily adapts through phenotypic plasticity rather than genetic variation, which is crucial for wetland resilience in a changing climate. This study underscores the pivotal role of environmental factors and phenotypic plasticity in P. australis growth and decomposition, suggesting that conservation efforts should prioritize the local environment over genetic variation for effective wetland management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation)
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Other

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18 pages, 2161 KiB  
Systematic Review
Biodiversity Monitoring in Constructed Wetlands: A Systematic Review of Assessment Methods and Ecosystem Functions
by Marvin John Uy, Miguel Enrico Robles, Yugyeong Oh, Md Tashdedul Haque, Cloie Chie Mueca and Lee-Hyung Kim
Diversity 2025, 17(5), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050367 - 21 May 2025
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Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are widely implemented as nature-based solutions for delivering essential ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision. However, biodiversity monitoring within CWs remains limited and unevenly integrated into performance evaluations. This scoping review analyzed 76 peer-reviewed studies [...] Read more.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are widely implemented as nature-based solutions for delivering essential ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision. However, biodiversity monitoring within CWs remains limited and unevenly integrated into performance evaluations. This scoping review analyzed 76 peer-reviewed studies to assess current methods for biodiversity monitoring, explore linkages to ecosystem functions, and examine the diversity indices most frequently applied. Results revealed a predominant focus on microbial communities, primarily assessed through high-throughput sequencing and general ecological indices such as the Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index and Chao1 Richness Estimator, with limited taxonomic depth or functional specificity. Plant and animal biodiversity were addressed less frequently and were rarely linked to treatment outcomes or ecosystem services beyond regulation. Vertical subsurface flow systems were the most studied configuration, particularly in lab-scale studies, while free water surface systems exhibited greater microbial phylum richness. These findings highlight a critical need for CW-specific biodiversity monitoring frameworks that integrate microbial, plant, and faunal assessments using functionally relevant phylogenetic indices such as Rao’s Quadratic Entropy and Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity. Emphasis on standardization, trait-based analyses, and mechanistic approaches is essential for enhancing ecological interpretation and ensuring biodiversity is recognized as a central component of CW design, performance, and resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation)
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