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NBS for Watershed Management: From Ecological Health Assessment to Ecosystem Restoration

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 904

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: cyanobacterial bloom; microcystin; nitrogen cycle; denitrification; freshwater-marine continuum

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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Interests: lake ecological restoration; lakeside buffer zone ecological restoration; environmental microbiology

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Guest Editor
School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles; wetland restoration; harmful algal control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lakes, wetlands, rivers, and other aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in the sustainable development of watersheds as they collect runoff and provide essential ecosystem services such as water purification, flood regulation, and habitat provision. However, these water bodies are increasingly being threatened by intensified human activity and climate change, leading to widespread degradation on a global scale. All the components of a watershed—forests, farmlands, wetlands, rivers, and lakes—are closely interconnected. Therefore, sustainable watershed management requires a holistic, systematic approach.

In this context, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a promising strategy for watersheds to ensure water safety, safeguard ecosystem health, and achieve sustainable management for watersheds. This Special Issue welcomes submissions covering a range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Ecological health assessment;
  • Nonpoint source pollution control;
  • Ecosystem restoration.

This issue welcomes contributions that explore theories, methods, and practical applications of NBS within these areas. Submissions may include interdisciplinary studies that span hydrology, ecology, environmental engineering, and other related fields, particularly those considering the interactions among various water bodies and land uses within a watershed. By bringing together diverse research and case studies, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of how NBS can be effectively applied to protect water resources, reduce nonpoint source pollution, and restore degraded ecosystems. Ultimately, this collection of studies seeks to provide new insights for sustainable watershed management in the face of global environmental change.

Dr. Yingying Huang
Prof. Dr. Chunhua Li
Prof. Dr. Xuechu Chen
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. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • watershed management
  • nature-based solutions
  • ecological health assessment
  • nonpoint source pollution control
  • ecosystem restoration

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Objective Approach for Improving Ecosystem Services and Mitigating Environmental Externalities in Paddy Fields and Its Emergy Analysis
by Naven Ramdat, Hongshuo Zou, Shiwen Sheng, Min Fu, Yingying Huang, Yaonan Cui, Yiru Wang, Rui Ding, Ping Xu and Xuechu Chen
Water 2025, 17(15), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152244 - 29 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Traditional intensive agricultural system impedes ecological functions, such as nutrient cycling and biodiversity conservation, resulting in excessive nitrogen discharge, CH4 emission, and ecosystem service losses. To enhance critical ecosystem services and mitigate environmental externalities in paddy fields, we developed a multi-objective agricultural [...] Read more.
Traditional intensive agricultural system impedes ecological functions, such as nutrient cycling and biodiversity conservation, resulting in excessive nitrogen discharge, CH4 emission, and ecosystem service losses. To enhance critical ecosystem services and mitigate environmental externalities in paddy fields, we developed a multi-objective agricultural system (MIA system), which combines two eco-functional units: paddy wetlands and Beitang (irrigation water collection pond). Pilot study results demonstrated that the MIA system enhanced biodiversity and inhibited pest outbreak, with only a marginal reduction in rice production compared with the control. Additionally, the paddy wetland effectively removed nitrogen, with removal rates of total nitrogen and dissolved inorganic nitrogen ranging from 0.06 to 0.65 g N m−2 d−1 and from 0.02 to 0.22 g N m−2 d−1, respectively. Continuous water flow in the paddy wetland reduced the CH4 emission by 84.4% compared with the static water conditions. Furthermore, a simulation experiment indicated that tide flow was more effective in mitigating CH4 emission, with a 68.3% reduction compared with the drying–wetting cycle treatment. The emergy evaluation demonstrated that the MIA system outperformed the ordinary paddy field when considering both critical ecosystem services and environmental externalities. The MIA system exhibited higher emergy self-sufficiency ratio, emergy yield ratio, and emergy sustainable index, along with a lower environmental load ratio. Additionally, the system required minimal transformation, thus a modest investment. By presenting the case of the MIA system, we provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensive management and assessment of agricultural ecosystems, highlighting its significant potential for widespread application. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 1316 KiB  
Review
Groundwater Markets at a Crossroads: A Review of Energy Transitions, Digital Innovations, and Policy Pathways
by Amar Razzaq, Hancheng Liu and Dan Yang
Water 2025, 17(14), 2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142079 - 11 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Informal groundwater markets, where farmers with wells sell surplus water to neighbors, are a widespread adaptive response to water scarcity, particularly in South Asia where they are most prevalent and well-documented. This review (1990–2025) examines the evolving patterns of these markets by synthesizing [...] Read more.
Informal groundwater markets, where farmers with wells sell surplus water to neighbors, are a widespread adaptive response to water scarcity, particularly in South Asia where they are most prevalent and well-documented. This review (1990–2025) examines the evolving patterns of these markets by synthesizing global literature and viewing them through the lens of three transformative trends: energy transition (especially solar pumps), digital innovations (e.g., blockchain and IoT), and new policy pathways. We synthesize literature to evaluate market structures, contract forms, efficiency and equity outcomes, environmental impacts, and the influence of energy policies and digital tools. The review assesses whether these informal trades fulfill their promise of enhancing water productivity and equity or if new challenges are creating pitfalls. Key objectives include documenting historical evolution, analyzing market performance, discussing externalities like aquifer depletion, examining policy interactions, reviewing digital pilots, exploring social inclusion, comparing governance frameworks, identifying research gaps linked to SDGs, and proposing a policy roadmap for harnessing benefits while ensuring sustainability. Full article
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