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Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 5815

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shuisen Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
Interests: remote sensing; estuary and coast; reservoir or lake; environmental change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

An ecosystem refers to a unified system composed of organisms and the environment within a certain space in nature. In this unified system, organisms and the environment interact and constrain each other and are in a relatively stable dynamic equilibrium state for a certain period of time.

Aquatic environments in oceans, rivers, lakes or reservoirs, and ponds provide the conditions for this dynamic equilibrium. However, pollution from daily life and industry, as well as various unreasonable human activities, has led to the deterioration of the natural water environment, mainly manifesting as eutrophication, lake bottom siltation, and decreased diversity of fish, plankton, and benthic animals.

With this Special Issue of Water, we offer a platform for the publication of innovative and original articles and reviews regarding the research of the aquatic environment and ecosystems on all aspects. The scope of this Special Issue includes but is not limited to the following aquatic environments and ecosystems: freshwater habitats like lakes or reservoirs, ponds, rivers, and streams; wetlands, swamps, etc.; and oceans, the intertidal zone, reefs, the seabed, and so on. Studies on the effect of different environmental factors, the responses of ecosystems to water pollution, and the change in and mechanisms of ecosystem adaptation to environmental stress are welcome. We particularly encourage the use of remote sensing big data, integrating in-situ and remote sensing, to understand freshwater dynamics and advanced interpretable methods for related research, thus leading to a more sustainable aquatic environment for all mankind.

Dr. Shuisen Chen
Guest Editor

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

  • ecosystem
  • environmental factors
  • eutrophication
  • plankton
  • pollution
  • human activities
  • aquatic environments
  • response
  • remote sensing

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3306 KiB  
Article
Snapshot of the Bacterial Composition of Two Invertebrates, Peltodoris atromaculata and Petrosia ficiformis, from a Shallow Hydrothermal Spring on the West Coast of Sicily
by Annamaria Gallo, Valeria Villanova, Luca Vecchioni, Desiree Grancagnolo, Marco Arculeo and Rosa Alduina
Water 2025, 17(7), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17071036 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 217
Abstract
Hydrothermal springs (HTSs) are unique environments characterized by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that often releases large amounts of dissolved minerals. Despite the interest in HTSs, the microbial composition of these sites remains largely under-explored, particularly concerning the interactions between marine invertebrates [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal springs (HTSs) are unique environments characterized by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that often releases large amounts of dissolved minerals. Despite the interest in HTSs, the microbial composition of these sites remains largely under-explored, particularly concerning the interactions between marine invertebrates and microorganisms. The shallow HTSs near the west coast of Sicily (Italy), with a constant temperature of 31 °C throughout the year, host two invertebrates: the nudibranch Peltodoris atromaculata (P. atromaculata) and the sponge Petrosia ficiformis (P. ficiformis). Using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene marker, the bacterial communities of these invertebrates were analyzed. Microbial diversity was higher in the P. atromaculata mantle and in P. ficiformis than in the P. atromaculata gut, with notable differences in families such as Caldilineaceae, Endozoicomonadaceae, Alteromonadaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae, showing abundance variations among the samples. Unique bacterial signatures, including Mycoplasmataceae, Endozoicomonadaceae, and Alteromonadaceae in the gut and Enterobacteriaceae in the mantle of P. atromaculata, were also identified. These findings provide valuable insights into the bacterial diversity of these two marine invertebrates, which are recognized as bioindicators of environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 3315 KiB  
Article
Effects of Cyanobacteria on Competitive Interactions Between Different-Sized Cladoceran Species
by Irina Yu. Feniova, Tomasz Brzeziński, Anna Bednarska, Andrew R. Dzialowski, Varos G. Petrosyan, Natalia Zilitinkevich and Piotr Dawidowicz
Water 2025, 17(7), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17071014 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Cyanobacteria negatively affect zooplankton through several mechanisms including mechanical interference, toxicity, and poor food quality due to a shortage of essential lipids. To understand the nature of each of these mechanisms, they should be examined independently. The goal of our study was to [...] Read more.
Cyanobacteria negatively affect zooplankton through several mechanisms including mechanical interference, toxicity, and poor food quality due to a shortage of essential lipids. To understand the nature of each of these mechanisms, they should be examined independently. The goal of our study was to assess the influence of cyanobacteria food quality on the competitive outcomes between the small-bodied Daphnia longispina and the large-bodied Daphnia magna. We conducted life-table experiments to assess R* (population threshold food concentration), competition experiments to determine the outcome of competition, and computer simulation experiments at high levels of food supply, which are difficult to realize in laboratory conditions. We used two types of food: the high-quality green algae Chlamydomonas klinobasis (GREEN) and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus (CYANO), which contains low levels of essential lipids, but is non-toxic and unicellular. We found that the small-bodied D. longispina was a superior competitor in GREEN, while the large-bodied D. magna was more abundant in CYANO. We established that the species ratio in GREEN was dependent on competitive interaction, while abundances of daphnids in CYANO were controlled by poor food quality. Since cyanobacteria act as a powerful force for structuring cladoceran communities, the role of competition for food between these two Daphnia species greatly declined under their effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 2355 KiB  
Article
Water and Sediment Quantity and Quality Generated in Check Dams as a Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
by David Carrera-Villacrés, Petronio Gavilanes, María José Brito, Andrés Criollo, Alexander Chico and Felipe Carrera-Villacrés
Water 2025, 17(6), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17060810 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 744
Abstract
The study evaluates the implementation of check dams as nature-based solutions to address soil erosion, improve sediment quality, and enhance water retention in the Urku Huayku ravine, located on the Ilaló volcano in Ecuador. Weekly water and sediment samples were analysed from 2021 [...] Read more.
The study evaluates the implementation of check dams as nature-based solutions to address soil erosion, improve sediment quality, and enhance water retention in the Urku Huayku ravine, located on the Ilaló volcano in Ecuador. Weekly water and sediment samples were analysed from 2021 to 2023. Critical parameters measured include pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient concentrations, and organic matter content. Macroinvertebrates were collected to assess biodiversity changes using the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) and the Shannon Diversity Index. Results show significant improvements: water quality remained neutral (average pH 7.06), while sediment organic matter increased from 0.2% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2023. Additionally, biodiversity improved, with a 355.6% increase in macroinvertebrate abundance. Statistical tests confirmed the positive impact of check dams on sediment and water quality. The study also identified potential areas for additional check dam installations using QGIS analysis, emphasising steep slopes as ideal locations. This study demonstrates the efficacy of check dams in the restoration of degraded ecosystems and underscores their pivotal role in climate change mitigation. Through the enhanced storage of sediment organic matter, check dams facilitated the capture of approximately 58% of carbon. Additionally, they contributed to improved biodiversity. Further research is recommended to optimise dam placement and explore additional biodiversity indicators in Andes Mountain water bodies over 3000 m above sea level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 4775 KiB  
Article
Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Diversity in the Moroccan Coastal Water of the Gibraltar Strait
by Manal Chrairi, Said Barrijal, Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa, Youssra Boumait, Chahrazade El Hamouti, Afaf Lamzouri, Hassan Ghazal and Rajaa Chahboune
Water 2024, 16(22), 3202; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223202 - 8 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1461
Abstract
Coastal waters are known for higher productivity and organic matter levels, which support a high diversity and abundance of microorganisms compared to some aquatic environments. The characterization of marine microbiomes can provide valuable information for evaluating the sustainability of coastal waters that are [...] Read more.
Coastal waters are known for higher productivity and organic matter levels, which support a high diversity and abundance of microorganisms compared to some aquatic environments. The characterization of marine microbiomes can provide valuable information for evaluating the sustainability of coastal waters that are increasingly subjected to environmental and human impacts. Our study is the first metagenomic study realized on Moroccan Mediterranean coastal seawater. We analyzed and described the Gibraltar Detroit marine microbiome taxonomic and functional profiling using MG-RAST software. Shotgun sequencing revealed a predominance of bacterial taxa, particularly the Proteobacteria (57.29%) and Bacteroidetes (27.06%) phyla, alongside notable populations of eukaryotes, viruses, and archaea. Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria emerged as the dominant bacterial classes, while Flavobacteria represented a significant portion of Bacteroidetes. Functional profiling of the microbial community highlighted a wide array of metabolic pathways, emphasizing genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and protein processing. The marine microbiome exhibited essential biogeochemical activities, particularly in nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon cycles, with notable pathways including denitrification, thiosulfate oxidation, and carbon fixation. This functional diversity underlines the microbiome’s role in sustaining ecosystem health through nutrient cycling and organic matter degradation. Our findings offer a crucial baseline for understanding microbial community structure and resilience in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, with implications for assessing future environmental and anthropogenic impacts on these microbial dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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21 pages, 19883 KiB  
Article
Larval Transport Pathways for Lutjanus peru and Lutjanus argentiventris in the Northwestern Mexico and Tropical Eastern Pacific
by Nicole Reguera-Rouzaud, Guillermo Martínez-Flores, Noé Díaz-Viloria and Adrián Munguía-Vega
Water 2024, 16(21), 3084; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213084 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1072
Abstract
Understanding how ocean currents influence larval dispersal and measuring its magnitude is critical for conservation and sustainable exploitation, especially in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), where the larval transport of rocky reef fish remains untested. For this reason, a lagrangian simulation model was [...] Read more.
Understanding how ocean currents influence larval dispersal and measuring its magnitude is critical for conservation and sustainable exploitation, especially in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), where the larval transport of rocky reef fish remains untested. For this reason, a lagrangian simulation model was implemented to estimate larval transport pathways in Northwestern Mexico and TEP. Particle trajectories were simulated with data from the Hybrid Ocean Coordinate Model, focusing on three simulation scenarios: (1) using the occurrence records of Lutjanus peru and L. argentiventris as release sites; (2) considering a continuous distribution along the study area, and (3) taking the reproduction seasonality into account in both species. It was found that the continuous distribution scenario largely explained the genetic structure previously found in both species (genetic brakes between central and southern Mexico and Central America), confirming that the ocean currents play a significant role as predictors of genetic differentiation and gene flow in Northwestern Mexico and the TEP. Due to the oceanography of the area, the southern localities supply larvae from the northern localities; therefore, disturbances in any southern localities could affect the surrounding areas and have impacts that spread beyond their political boundaries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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20 pages, 3438 KiB  
Article
Revealing Public Perceptions of Biodiverse vs. Turf Swales: Balancing Enhanced Ecosystem Services with Heightened Concerns
by Hong Wu, Margaret C. Hoffman, Rui Wang, Kathleen M. Kelley and Mahsa Adib
Water 2024, 16(20), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202899 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly implemented worldwide to address stormwater issues while providing co-benefits such as habitat provision. However, research on public perceptions of GSI’s ecosystem benefits is limited, and barriers such as perception and maintenance hinder biodiversity promotion in GSI. Through [...] Read more.
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly implemented worldwide to address stormwater issues while providing co-benefits such as habitat provision. However, research on public perceptions of GSI’s ecosystem benefits is limited, and barriers such as perception and maintenance hinder biodiversity promotion in GSI. Through an online survey (n = 781), we explored how residents in four Northeast US urban areas—Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, MD, New York City, and Philadelphia, PA—perceived the benefits and concerns regarding two types of bioswales (biodiverse and turf). Biodiverse swales feature various plants to promote biodiversity, whereas turf swales are primarily grass-covered. Our analyses included paired-samples t-tests, independent t-tests, one-way repeated measures ANOVA tests, and one-way ANOVA tests to compare perceptions across bioswale types, aspects of benefit/concern, and locations. Both bioswale types were recognized for enhancing green spaces and neighborhood aesthetics. Residents perceived greater environmental and social benefits from biodiverse swales than turf swales, particularly for habitat provision. While overall concerns for both bioswale types were low, potential issues like pest cultivation and the unappealing appearance of biodiverse swales remain significant barriers. Notably, implementing biodiverse swales alleviated initial concerns, especially about pests, suggesting familiarity can enhance acceptance. Location-specific differences in perception were observed, with New York City showing higher perceived benefits and concerns and Montgomery County exhibiting the lowest concerns. This variance is likely due to distinct urban environments, levels of environmental awareness, and demographic profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Environment and Ecosystems)
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