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Diversity
Special Issues
Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes
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Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 2158

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuxin Hu

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Administration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan 430010, China
Interests: ecology; environmental genomics; aquatic ecology
Dr. Huiyin Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
Interests: mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs); P. globosa genetic diversity; offshore qingdao; molecular marker
Prof. Dr. Mary Kelly-Quinn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: freshwater ecology; biodiversity; macroinvertebrates; eutrophicatoin; multiple stressors; connectivity; barriers; ecosystem services; indicators

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and even the small streams around us, are crucial cornerstones of biodiversity, harboring numerous unique aquatic organisms. However, in human-dominated landscapes, these precious ecosystems are experiencing rapid degradation due to multiple stressors, such as habitat destruction, environmental pollution, climate change and species invasion. To address this global challenge, this Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research from basic studies to practical applications, exploring diverse approaches to effectively protect and restore freshwater biodiversity, including ecological restoration, sustainable water resource management, cross-sectoral policy coordination and the application of emerging technologies (e.g., environmental DNA monitoring and ecohydrological modeling). We sincerely welcome submissions covering a wide range of topics, such as integrated watershed management, habitat restoration technologies, biodiversity responses to climate change, social-ecological system resilience and community engagement. The goal is to collectively find practical, inclusive and sustainable solutions for freshwater conservation and restoration in the Anthropocene.

Dr. Yuxin Hu
Dr. Huiyin Song
Prof. Dr. Mary Kelly-Quinn
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • freshwater ecosystems
  • biodiversity
  • ecological restoration
  • human-dominated landscapes

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3034 KB  
Article
Machine Learning-Based Prediction and Interpretability Analysis of Chlorophyll-a and Algal Density Using High-Frequency Water Quality Data
by Wei Wang, Xinglu Hu, Hongzhi Meng, Chuankun Liu, Yang Wang, Tong Jiao, Qixin Chang and Bo Lai
Diversity 2026, 18(5), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18050282 - 9 May 2026
Viewed by 169
Abstract
Rapid algal proliferation in human-impacted freshwater ecosystems necessitates advanced predictive tools for effective management. This study aims to capture the stochastic dynamics of algal blooms in the Fuxi River, China, using high-frequency monitoring and interpretable machine learning. A 2 h interval dataset was [...] Read more.
Rapid algal proliferation in human-impacted freshwater ecosystems necessitates advanced predictive tools for effective management. This study aims to capture the stochastic dynamics of algal blooms in the Fuxi River, China, using high-frequency monitoring and interpretable machine learning. A 2 h interval dataset was utilized to construct Random Forest models in Python for predicting Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and algal density, both measured via in situ multi-wavelength fluorescence. Model interpretability was achieved through SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis to identify non-linear environmental drivers and ecological thresholds. The models demonstrated high predictive accuracy. SHAP analysis revealed that dissolved oxygen (>10 mg/L) is the primary diagnostic indicator for peak Chl-a, with an optimal thermal window of 15–20 °C identified for proliferation. For algal density, chemical oxygen demand (CODCr > 25 mg/L) and conductivity (>1000 μS/cm) were identified as critical tipping points, showing pronounced synergistic effects between organic enrichment and nutrient levels. This study underscores that managing organic loading and monitoring specific thermal–hydrochemical windows are vital for mitigating extreme algal events, providing a robust, interpretable framework for real-time water quality early warning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes)
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17 pages, 4486 KB  
Article
Relationship Between Macroinvertebrate Community Characteristics and Environmental Factors in the Han River Basin
by Xueyi Huang, Shengning Pan, Ting Li, Jiwei Zhang, Mingchun Zhou, Xuan Zhou and Jing Zhang
Diversity 2026, 18(3), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18030158 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 385
Abstract
As the largest tributary of the Yangtze River and a core area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Han River Basin holds significant ecological importance regarding the impacts of land use and water environment changes on aquatic ecosystems. [...] Read more.
As the largest tributary of the Yangtze River and a core area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Han River Basin holds significant ecological importance regarding the impacts of land use and water environment changes on aquatic ecosystems. Existing studies have mostly focused on local reaches of the upper or middle–lower Han River, and systematic investigations into the associations between macroinvertebrate communities and environmental factors at the entire basin scale remain scarce. The niche characteristics and environmental drivers of macroinvertebrate community structure in the Han River Basin, China, were evaluated using a variety of diversity metrics and statistical methods. The results showed that: (1) A total of 91 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified during 2022–2023, with Insecta as the dominant group. Species richness in the upstream reaches increased in 2023, and the degree of differentiation between the upstream and the middle–lower reaches was markedly weaker than that in 2022. (2) Significant interannual differences in macroinvertebrate community structure were detected (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05), and taxa such as Polypedilum sp., Orthocladius sp., and Gammaridae collectively accounted for 35.6% of the dissimilarity among communities. (3) The overall niche breadth of dominant taxa was relatively low, whereas niche overlap decreased significantly in 2023, indicating a community niche pattern characterized by “low competition–high differentiation”. (4) Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) were the core water environmental factors driving changes in community structure, while forested land was the key land use factor, and their synergistic effects jointly regulated the composition and diversity of macroinvertebrate communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes)
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14 pages, 7934 KB  
Article
Multi-Dimensional Characterization of Seasonal Phytoplankton Community Dynamics in Urban Water Bodies of Beijing
by Dongxia Wang, Bo Liu, Yaqi Wang, Jie Yang, Tingting Du, Kena Shi, Shuai Yang, Shaokai Xiong, Lei Guo, Ranran Ding, Zhen Cheng, Yu Peng and Yuxin Hu
Diversity 2026, 18(2), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18020098 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 518
Abstract
Phytoplankton play a central role in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers and serve as key bioindicators of water quality. This study systematically examined the seasonal dynamics (spring, summer, autumn) of phytoplankton communities in Beijing’s urban water bodies by integrating α-diversity, co-occurrence networks, β-diversity [...] Read more.
Phytoplankton play a central role in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers and serve as key bioindicators of water quality. This study systematically examined the seasonal dynamics (spring, summer, autumn) of phytoplankton communities in Beijing’s urban water bodies by integrating α-diversity, co-occurrence networks, β-diversity decomposition, and environmental driver analysis. Results indicated that spring exhibited the highest α-diversity (Margalef index: 2.95, Shannon index: 2.99) and optimal ecological conditions, with community assembly primarily influenced by spatial processes. Summer was characterized by cyanobacterial dominance, a peak in algal density (957.35 ± 4818.65 ind./L), and tightly connected, cooperative networks with high clustering and positive interactions. In autumn, β-diversity increased significantly (0.9030), driven predominantly by taxa turnover, while co-occurrence networks became more modular and less connected, indicating enhanced environmental filtering. Key environmental drivers, including temperature, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and organic pollution indices, shaped community structure, with their relative influence shifting seasonally. A random forest model, trained on multiple biodiversity indices and algal density, effectively captured nonlinear ecological patterns, confirming the highest ecological quality in spring and a marginal decline in autumn. These findings highlight the seasonal transition in assembly mechanisms—from spatial to environmental processes—and support tailored management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes)
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Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 6977 KB  
Review
Global Evolution and Methodological Trends in River and Lake Health Research (1991–2024): A Bibliometric and Systematic Review
by Zhenhai Liu, Yun Li and Xiaogang Wang
Diversity 2026, 18(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18020071 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 552
Abstract
River and lake health assessment has evolved from a purely ecological concept to a multidimensional framework integrating ecosystem integrity and social service functions. Based on a comprehensive dataset of 1412 papers (1991–2024), this study combines bibliometric mapping with a systematic review to track [...] Read more.
River and lake health assessment has evolved from a purely ecological concept to a multidimensional framework integrating ecosystem integrity and social service functions. Based on a comprehensive dataset of 1412 papers (1991–2024), this study combines bibliometric mapping with a systematic review to track the evolution of biological monitoring and assessment methodologies. Quantitative analysis of keywords reveals that while traditional focuses on heavy metals, fish, and sediments remain dominant, there is a significant shift towards integrated frameworks where biological indicators (e.g., benthic macroinvertebrate integrity and fish retention) are increasingly coupled with social services. We critically review three assessment paradigms: single-factor bio-indicators, biological predictive models such as RIVPACS and AUSRIVAS, and multi-factor comprehensive models. The study identifies critical gaps in ecological connectivity and the management of transboundary lakes under climate change. Consequently, we propose a strategic roadmap leveraging the National Ecological Connectivity Optimization Platform and mandatory “health audits” for transboundary waters to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic biodiversity. This review provides a scientific basis for balancing biodiversity conservation with sustainable water resource utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration in Human-Dominated Landscapes)
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