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Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 18860

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sung Min Cha

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Guest Editor

Team of Environmental Technology Demonstration, Jeollanamdo Environmental Industries Promotion Institute (JEIPI), Jeollanam-do 59205, Republic of Korea
Interests: green infrastructure design; application of constructed wetland; nonpoint source pollution management; development of climate change adaptation technology using green infrastructure technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wetlands are natural assets that humanity must preserve in order to secure sustainable water resources and maximize ecological value. Water circulation in urban areas has been distorted due to recent urbanization, and various rainfall events caused by climate change are accelerating the outflow of pollutants from the watershed. Wetlands are a part of nature capable of solving these environmental problems, providing an ecological resting place for humans living on Earth.

Despite these diverse ecological benefits, studies on the ecological value of wetlands are not yet sufficient. In particular, we need to consider, once more, the ecological services that wetlands provide to us at a time when various problems caused by urbanization are constantly becoming an issue with the growing number of people and extensive property damage caused by climate change.

Therefore, in this Special Issue, we will deal with the ecological solutions and ecological services of these wetlands. The nature-based solution of wetlands includes the scope of the function of wetlands, such as reducing environmental pollutants generated from the watershed, urban water circulation, and securing urban ecosystem diversity.

This Special Issue will involve research articles and critical comprehensive reviews focusing on the following topics:

Wetlands as a nature-based solution
Constructed wetlands for water quality management
Fate and transport of pollutants in a wetland
Ecosystem restoration
Ecological service as a bridge between urban development and natural conservation
Constructed wetland as a green infrastructure
Low-impact development and green infrastructure as a nature-based technology
Assessment of ecological benefit for a wetland

This Special Issue will focus on the ecological services of wetlands that have been relatively less well-covered in the existing wetland research. In addition, we will focus on research content that broadly interprets the ecological and environmental functions of wetlands linked with urban water circulation technology that can be connected to wetlands.

Dr. Sung Min Cha
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Constructed wetland
Natural wetland
Nature-based solutions
Ecological service
Water circulation
Green infrastructure

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HSPF-Based Assessment of Inland Nutrient Source Control Strategies to Reduce Algal Blooms in Streams in Response to Future Climate Changes

by Dong Hoon Lee, Pamela Sofia Fabian, Jin Hwi Kim and Joo-Hyon Kang

Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212413 - 10 Nov 2021

Viewed by 1637

Abstract

The HSPF model was modified to improve the growth-temperature formulation of phytoplankton and used to simulate Chl-a concentrations at the outlet of the Seom River watershed in Korea from 2025 to 2050 under four climate change scenarios: RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5. The mean and median Chl-a concentrations increased by 5–10% and 23–29%, respectively, and the number of algal outbreak cases per year (defined as a day with Chl-a concentration ≥100 µg/L) decreased by 31–88% relative to the current values (2011–2015). Among the climate change scenarios, RCP 2.6 (stringent) showed the largest number of algal outbreak cases, mainly because of the largest yearly variability of precipitation and TP load. For each climate change scenario, three nutrient load reduction scenarios were in the HSPF simulation, and their efficiencies in reducing algal blooms were determined. Nonpoint source reduction in TP and TN from urban land, agricultural land, and grassland by 50% (S1) and controlling the effluent TP concentration of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to 0.1 mg/L (S2) decreased algal outbreaks by 20–58% and 44–100%, respectively. The combination of effluent TP control of WWTPs during summer and S1 was the most effective management scenario; it could almost completely prevent algal outbreaks. This study demonstrates the cost effectiveness of using a season-based pollutant management strategy for controlling algal blooms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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16 pages, 35340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Water Quality Target Attainment and Influencing Factors Using the Multivariate Log-Linear Model in the Nakdong River Basin, Republic of Korea

by Mi-Ah Kim, Eunhye Na, Suyoung Park, Taegu Kang and Soyoung Lee

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 11094; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131911094 - 07 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1419

Abstract

Because identifying the factors affecting water quality is challenging, water quality assessment of an individual component based on the arithmetic mean method cannot adequately support management policies. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the water quality target attainment at 24 sites in the Nakdong River Basin by applying multivariate log-linear models to identify factors influencing water quality, including flow and season. The temporal and seasonal water quality trend and flow were also analyzed using the calculated model coefficients. Specifically, weekly data on biological oxygen demand (BOD), total phosphorous (TP), and flow during 2013–2018 were used to investigate the 2018 water quality target attainment level for this river. The significance and suitability of the models were analyzed using the F-test, root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute percent error (MAPE), and adjusted R² values. All 24 models applied in this study showed statistical significance and suitability for the prediction of BOD and TP concentrations. Moreover, flow was identified as the main factor affecting water quality and had a predominant effect on BOD and TP concentrations in tributaries and the main stream, respectively. Furthermore, among the 24 sites, BOD and TP targets were evidently attained at 18 and 17 sites, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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12 pages, 7267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implications of Microbial Community to the Overall Performance of Tree-Box Filter Treating Parking Lot Runoff

by Franz Kevin Geronimo, Nash Jett Reyes, Hyeseon Choi and Lee-Hyung Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10877; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910877 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

Most of the studies about stormwater low-impact development technologies (LID) used generalized observations without fully understanding the mechanisms affecting the whole performance of the systems from the catchment to the facility itself. At present, these LID technologies have been treated as black box due to fluctuating flow and environmental conditions affecting its operation and treatment performance. As such, the implications of microbial community to the overall performance of the tree-box filter (TBF) were investigated in this study. Based on the results, summer season was found to be the most suitable season for microorganism growth as greater microorganism count was found in TBF during this season compared to other seasons. Least microorganism count was found in spring which might have been affected by the plant growth during this season since plant penology influences the seasonal dynamics of soil microorganisms. Litterfall during fall season might have affected the microorganism count during winter as, during this season, the compositional variety of soil organic matter changes affecting growth of soil microbial communities. Microbial analyses of soil samples collected in TBF revealed that the most dominant microorganism phylum is Proteobacteria in all the seasons in both inlet and outlet comprising 37% to 47% of the total microorganism count. Proteobacteria is of great importance to carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling in soil. Proteobacteria was followed by Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi which comprises 6% to 20%, 9% to 20%, and 2% to 27%, respectively, of the total microorganism count for each season. Each microorganism phylum was found to have varying correlation to different soil chemical parameters implying the effects of these parameters to microorganism survival in LID technologies. Depending on the target biogeochemical cycle, maintaining a good environment for a specific microbial phylum may be decided. These findings were useful in optimizing the design and performance of tree box filters considering physical, chemical, and biological pollutant removal mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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11 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Performance of Deep Learning Algorithms for Short-Term Surface Water Quality Prediction

by Heelak Choi, Sang-Ik Suh, Su-Hee Kim, Eun Jin Han and Seo Jin Ki

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910690 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the applicability of deep learning algorithms to (monthly) surface water quality forecasting. A comparison was made between the performance of an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and four deep learning models. All prediction algorithms, except for the ARIMA model working on a single variable, were tested with univariate inputs consisting of one of two dependent variables as well as multivariate inputs containing both dependent and independent variables. We found that deep learning models (6.31–18.78%, in terms of the mean absolute percentage error) showed better performance than the ARIMA model (27.32–404.54%) in univariate data sets, regardless of dependent variables. However, the accuracy of prediction was not improved for all dependent variables in the presence of other associated water quality variables. In addition, changes in the number of input variables, sliding window size (i.e., input and output time steps), and relevant variables (e.g., meteorological and discharge parameters) resulted in wide variation of the predictive accuracy of deep learning models, reaching as high as 377.97%. Therefore, a refined search identifying the optimal values on such influencing factors is recommended to achieve the best performance of any deep learning model in given multivariate data sets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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19 pages, 2395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Constructed Wetlands in South Korea: Current Status and Performance Assessment

by Hyeseon Choi, Nash Jett DG. Reyes, Minsu Jeon and Lee-Hyung Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10410; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810410 - 18 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2411

Abstract

The efficiency of nature-based facilities is mostly evaluated in terms of their pollutant removal capabilities; however, apart from water purification functions, constructed wetlands also perform ecological, cultural, and environmental education functions. A multi-criteria performance index was developed in this study to evaluate the overall efficiency of constructed wetlands. A total of 54 constructed wetlands installed across South Korea were monitored to evaluate the pollutant removal performance of the facilities. A comparison between the conventional pollutant removal-based evaluation and the developed multi-criteria index was also performed to determine the key changes in the results of evaluation when different methods are employed. Among the different types of wetlands studied, hybrid systems were found to be the most effective in terms of pollutant removal due to their complex configurations and functions. Newly constructed treatment wetlands have unstable performance and thus, a stabilization period ranging from two to five years is required to assess the facility’s pollutant removal capabilities. As compared to the conventional pollutant removal-based efficiency evaluation, the comprehensive evaluation method provided a more strategic tool for identifying the facilities’ strengths and weaknesses. Generally, the multi-criteria performance index developed in this inquiry can be utilized as a general tool for evaluating the sustainability of similar nature-based facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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14 pages, 8164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Water Quality Characteristics in Unit Watersheds in the Hangang Basin with Respect to TMDL Implementation

by Minji Park, Yongchul Cho, Kyungyong Shin, Hyungjin Shin, Sanghun Kim and Soonju Yu

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 9999; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13189999 - 07 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1849

Abstract

Spatiotemporal water quality tendencies before and after total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation in the Hangang basin were analyzed to determine the water quality improvement resulting from the TMDL policy. The periodicities of water quality indicators were also analyzed and water quality characteristics corresponding to different unit watershed units were identified in terms of pollution source. Considering five water quality indicators, including biochemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus, it was observed that water quality indicator concentrations were low in the upstream areas of the Bukhangang and Namhangang watersheds. However, they were high between the downstream areas of the Namhangang watershed and the Imjingang watershed and in the Hangang downstream and Jinwicheon watersheds. Additionally, the concentrations of water quality indicators in most of the unit watersheds where TMDL had been implemented decreased after TMDL implementation. However, increasing tendencies in the concentrations of water quality indicators continued to be observed in some of the watershed units in the upstream areas of the Bukhangang and Namhangang watersheds, possibly because these watersheds are affected by nonpoint source pollution owing to rainfall. Therefore, in the future, it would be necessary to implement policies that take these findings into consideration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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16 pages, 5900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimum Detailed Standards to Control Non-Point Source Pollution Priority Management Areas: Centered on Highland Agriculture Watershed

by Jinsun Kim, Baekyung Park, Jiyeon Choi, Minji Park, Jong Mun Lee, Kyunghyun Kim and Yongseok Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179842 - 02 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

The Ministry of Environment in Korea aims to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution and improve soil water management by expanding NPS priority management areas. Six NPS priority management areas to reduce suspended solids (SS) according to soil loss were chosen as they either constitute serious hazards to the natural ecosystem due to NPS pollutants or they are areas with unusual geologic structure or strata. Although more comprehensive standards are required for effective NPS management, however, no detailed consideration factors and standards are available in the legal provisions. Therefore, in this study, based on the existing six priority NPS management areas and using results from previous studies, we present detailed legal designation standards. We found that the higher the altitude, slope, and field area ratio, the higher the effect of SS on water quality during rainfall. Additionally, there is a high correlation as R² 0.9813 between SS and the habitat and riparian index. These results are useful for establishing detailed standards for areas requiring an NPS management system, future expansion of the NPS priority management area designation, and policymaking and research for reducing NPS pollution in Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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17 pages, 4498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Water Circulation by Modeling: An Example of Nonpoint Source Management in the Yeongsan River Watershed

by Jong Mun Lee, Minji Park, Bae Kyung Park, Jiyeon Choi, Jinsun Kim, Kyunghyun Kim and Yongseok Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8871; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168871 - 09 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1523

Abstract

Owing to urbanization, impervious areas within watersheds have continuously increased, distorting healthy water circulation systems by reducing soil infiltration and base flow; moreover, increases in surface runoff deteriorate water quality by increasing the inflow of nonpoint sources. In this study, we constructed a Hydrological Simulation Program—Fortran (HSPF) watershed model that applies the impervious area and can set medium- and long-term water circulation management goals for watershed sub-areas. The model was tested using a case study from the Yeongsan River watershed, Korea. The results show that impervious land-cover accounts for 18.47% of the upstream reach in which Gwangju City is located; approximately twice the average for the whole watershed. Depending on the impervious area reduction scenario, direct runoff and nonpoint source load could be reduced by up to 56% and 35%, respectively; the water circulation rate could be improved by up to 16%. Selecting management goals requires the consideration of both policy objectives and budget. For urban areas with large impervious cover, the designation of nonpoint source management areas is required. For new cities, it is necessary to introduce water circulation systems (e.g., low impact development techniques) to improve rainwater penetration and recharge and activate preemptive water circulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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14 pages, 5436 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Determination of NPS Pollutant Unit Loads from Different Landuses

by Jiyeon Choi, Baekyung Park, Jinsun Kim, Soyoung Lee, Jichul Ryu, Kyunghyun Kim and Yongseok Kim

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7193; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137193 - 26 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1717

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate pollutant unit loads for different landuses and pollutants that reflected long-term runoff characteristics of nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants and recent environmental changes. During 2008–2014, 2026 rainfall events were monitored. The average values of antecedent dry days, total rainfall, rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, runoff duration, and runoff coefficient for each landuse were 3.8–5.9 d, 35.2–65.0 mm, 2.9–4.1 mm/h, 12.5–20.4 h, 12.4–27.9 h, and 0.24–0.45, respectively. Uplands (UL) exhibited high suspended solids (SS, 606.2 mg/L), total nitrogen (TN, 7.38 mg/L), and total phosphorous (TP, 2.27 mg/L) levels, whereas the runoff coefficient was high in the building sites (BS), with a high impervious surface ratio. The event mean concentration (EMC) for biological oxygen demand (BOD) was the highest in BS (8.0 mg/L), while the EMC was the highest in BS (in the rainfall range <10 mm) and UL and forest land (in the rainfall range >50 mm). The unit loads for BOD (1.49–17.76 kg/km²·d), TN (1.462–10.147 kg/km²·d), TP (0.094–1.435 kg/km²·d), and SS (15.20–327.70 kg/km²·d) were calculated. The findings can be used to manage NPS pollutants and watershed environments and implement relevant associated management systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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12 pages, 16319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conceptual Model of Ecosystem Service Flows from Carbon Dioxide to Blue Carbon in Coastal Wetlands: An Empirical Study Based on Yancheng, China

by Zheng Zang

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4630; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094630 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2314

Abstract

Large amounts of blue carbon exist in the ecosystems of coastal wetlands. Accurate calculations of the stocks and economic value of blue carbon in various plant communities can facilitate vegetation rehabilitation. Based on this objective, first, a blue carbon estimation model was constructed by combining a Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model, and second, the distribution pattern of blue carbon and flow direction of ecosystem services (carbon sequestration) in a coastal wetland in China was analyzed utilizing a combination of field surveys, remote sensing data, and laboratory analysis techniques. Finally, the wetland carbon sequestration value and its income-expenditure status were measured using the carbon tax method. The results show that the aboveground net primary productivity of coastal wetland vegetation exhibits a non-zonal distribution in the south-north direction, whereas it presented a three-level gradient distribution, characterized as “low (200–300 g/m²∙y)–intermediate (300–400 g/m²∙y)–high (400–500 g/m²∙y)”, in the east-west direction. The accumulation of carbon gradually increased from the ground surface to the underground (litter < underground roots < soil) in Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis. On the type scale, Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis wetlands were of the “blue carbon” net outflow type (supply type), with mean annual outflow carbon sequestration values of 3272.3 $/ha and 40.9 $/ha, respectively. The Suaeda glauca wetland was of the “blue carbon” net inflow type (benefit type), with a mean annual inflow carbon sequestration value of 190.7 $/ha. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Wetlands as Nature Based Solutions for Ecological Service)

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