Functional Traits of Wetland Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 695

Special Issue Editors

School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Interests: wetland ecology; genetic diversity; plant adaptation; functional ecology; microbial diversity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Interests: plant hydraulics; plant nutrient acquisition strategy; ecosystem function; ecological restoration and monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Interests: ecosystem ecology; biodiversity conservation; wetland ecosystem; blue carbon; aquatic botany
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the escalating severity of wetland degradation and pollution, research on the functional traits of wetland plants has become increasingly critical. This Special Issue, titled "Functional Traits of Wetland Plants," aims to comprehensively explore the functional traits of wetland plants and their surrounding environments. It emphasizes the pivotal role of functional traits in bridging plant individuals and their environment, evolutionary processes and ecological functions, as well as adaptation strategies and ecosystem effects.

The Issue will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and stoichiometric traits of wetland plant organs (such as roots, stems, and leaves), as well as the properties of associated soil and water. A particular focus will be placed on traits related to carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation. We encourage submissions that investigate plant responses and mechanisms to global change, anthropogenic disturbances, and natural succession through the lens of functional traits.

By applying advanced analytical, experimental, and modeling approaches, this Special Issue seeks to systematically elucidate the adaptive strategies and functional regulations of wetland plants under various habitat degradations and environmental stresses. We welcome a wide range of manuscripts, including field investigations, controlled experiments, meta-analyses, and modeling studies, that enhance our understanding of trait-environment relationships and trait-driven ecosystem processes and services.

The findings from this collection are expected to provide important insights for biodiversity conservation, adaptive ecosystem management, and nature-based solution, ultimately supporting the sustainable future of wetland ecosystems.

Dr. Lele Liu
Dr. Ning Du
Prof. Dr. Weihua Guo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • wetland plants
  • functional traits
  • plant functional ecology
  • carbon sequestration
  • climate change adaptation
  • trait–environment relationships
  • ecosystem services

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 2071 KB  
Article
Intraspecific Variation and Covariation of Functional Traits in Phragmites australis Across a Stagnant Constructed and a Dynamic Natural Wetland in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
by Mingyang Yu, Hong Zhu, Yuhui Wang, Wenlong Sun, Meiqi Yin, Yongda Chen, Lele Liu and Weihua Guo
Plants 2026, 15(5), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15050692 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Urban wetlands, encompassing both natural and constructed ecosystems, are vital for urban resilience. Understanding how plant functional traits adapt to these distinct habitats is crucial for ecological management. This study investigates the intraspecific variation and trait covariation patterns of the common reed ( [...] Read more.
Urban wetlands, encompassing both natural and constructed ecosystems, are vital for urban resilience. Understanding how plant functional traits adapt to these distinct habitats is crucial for ecological management. This study investigates the intraspecific variation and trait covariation patterns of the common reed (Phragmites australis) in two contrasting urban wetland types in Ganzhou City: a stagnant, engineered constructed wetland and a dynamic, natural riverine wetland. This contrast represents a key gradient in hydrological regime and anthropogenic influence. We measured 22 morphological and chemical traits to assess trait differences, variability (coefficient of variation), and correlation patterns. Volcano plot analysis revealed significant habitat effects: reed in natural wetlands exhibited higher levels of Cu, P, N, and leaf moisture content (LMC), whereas those in constructed wetlands had higher Ca content. Traits such as Na, Mn, and Al showed high intraspecific variability. Correlation analyses revealed significant trade-offs and integrations among traits, such as positive correlations between LMC and nutrients (K, Cu), and negative correlations between Ca and key leaf morphological traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) further confirmed a significant separation along PC1, driven primarily by nutrient elements (Cu, P, K) and LMC, with natural wetlands scoring higher. In contrast, PC2, associated with leaf morphological traits (e.g., leaf area, leaf width), showed no significant inter-habitat difference. Our findings demonstrate that P. australis employs distinct ecological strategies by adjusting its functional traits and resource allocation in response to different urban wetland environments. This highlights the critical role of intraspecific trait variation in plant adaptation and has important implications for wetland restoration and the design of constructed ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Traits of Wetland Plants)
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