Watershed Ecology and the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Vegetation loss of the muni coastal lagoon: Implications for ecosystem services and climate impacts","authors":"Alexander Nii Adjei Sowah","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal lagoons are highly productive ecosystems protected under laws of conservations. They provide extensive ecosystem services including fisheries, aquaculture, storm protection and tourism. In spite of the ecological, social, economic and cultural values of coastal lagoons, they suffer multiple pressures that threaten their ecological integrity and function. Population growth and its attendant increased demand for resources, expansion of the built environment to the fringes of such ecosystems and the production of waste are placing coastal lagoons’ ecosystems at the risk of collapse. Relying on Landsat satellite images of Land Cover of the Muni lagoon catchment of the Effutu Municipality of Ghana from 1993 to 2023 alongside field observations, the paper examines vegetation loss and land cover changes and how the observed changes influence/affects the lagoon’s ability to function and provide its ecological and socio-economic services. It was observed that apart from grassland which has steadily increased over the last three decades, marshes and mangroves have consistently reduced in size, from 21% of the total land cover in 1993 to 11% in 2003 and 10% in 2013 to 7% in 2023. A projected analysis of the different land cover for the next decade [2023–2033] indicated further shrinking of the mangrove and size of the lagoon itself. While the lagoon remains viable regarding some of the services it provides, losing mangroves, marshes and swamps have implications for the lagoon’s water holding capacity and ecosystem services it provides. This is especially against the backdrop of dangers posed to coastal communities by sea encroachment arising from climate-induced sea level rise.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 100-109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rejuvenation of Kalyani River, Uttar Pradesh (India): A Study using Geospatial Modeling","authors":"Akash Pal ,&nbsp;Neeraj Kumar ,&nbsp;Shakti Suryavanshi ,&nbsp;Krishan Tyagi ,&nbsp;Jagadeesh Menon ,&nbsp;Deepak Lal ,&nbsp;Arnab Kundu ,&nbsp;Neeraj Kumar Sharma ,&nbsp;Easterlily Shylla ,&nbsp;Mukesh Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rivers play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and providing essential resources; however, many are facing significant degradation, particularly in India, where urbanization and population growth exacerbate water scarcity. This study focuses on the Kalyani River, located in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh (India), which spans approximately 69.65 km and is vital for local communities. We employed an integrated approach combining geospatial technology, the HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Centers-River Analysis System) model, and field verification to assess river conditions and identify restoration needs. Our analysis revealed critical challenges affecting the Kalyani River, including siltation and blockages that hinder flow and contribute to flooding. The results indicate a recommended excavation length of approximately 22.37 km in the Nindora block, along with a total cleaning length of around 47.28 km for both Nindora and Fatehpur blocks. These findings underscore the necessity for immediate eco-restoration efforts to rejuvenate the river ecosystem and mitigate the impacts of human-induced changes. Furthermore, we mapped critical zones requiring intervention, emphasizing the need for community engagement in conservation initiatives. This study highlights the importance of not only addressing the physical restoration of the river but also fostering long-term ecological health through sustainable management practices. By comparing our findings with established river restoration projects, we contextualize the significance of our approach to enhance the resilience of the Kalyani River. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights and actionable recommendations that can aid local authorities and stakeholders in implementing effective river management strategies, contributing to improved water security and ecological sustainability in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 13-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145222213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing sediment-induced storage capacity loss in the Hisorak Reservoir, Uzbekistan","authors":"Khojiakbar Khasanov,&nbsp;Masharif Bakiev","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.10.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.10.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the long-term sedimentation dynamics and their impact on the storage capacity of the Hisorak Reservoir over 42 years (1980–2022). Sedimentation rates, capacity loss, and spatial volume changes were analyzed by comparing the original design data with bathymetric surveys conducted in 2003 and 2022. Four interpolation techniques—Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Radial Basis Function (RBF), Ordinary Kriging (OK), and Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK)—were applied to process bathymetric data and evaluated using RMSE, MAE, R², and SDpred. Among them, OK provided the highest accuracy (RMSE = 1.13, MAE = 0.008, R² = 0.996). The resulting spatial model enabled precise capacity calculations, showing a reduction of 39.4 Mm³ (23.2 %) in reservoir storage due to sedimentation. Between 2003 and 2022, sediment accumulated at an average rate of 0.88 Mm³ yr⁻¹, more than three times the design estimate of 0.272 Mm³ yr⁻¹. A Surface Difference Map revealed concentrated deposition in upstream zones and erosion along reservoir boundaries. These findings demonstrate that sedimentation is progressing faster than anticipated, causing accelerated storage loss. The study highlights the usefulness of geostatistical methods and surface difference analysis for assessing reservoir sedimentation and supports the development of more effective management and sediment-control strategies in arid-region reservoirs such as Hisorak.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 23-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent trends and future directions in artificial intelligence (AI) applications for coastal ecosystems Conservation: Insights from a bibliometric analysis","authors":"Sylvester T. Cortes","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, provide essential ecological, economic, and social services. However, their capacity to deliver these services is diminishing due to increasing ecosystem disturbances, resource exploitation, and the impacts of climate change. In response, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into conservation efforts has led to a surge in scholarly publications, highlighting the need for a bibliometric analysis to systematically examine emerging trends and identify future directions in this rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary field. Bibliometric data were sourced from the Scopus database, covering a ten-year period from 2015 to June 2025. The analysis was conducted using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, complemented by OpenRefine, Microsoft Excel, RStudio, and OriginPro for data cleaning and visualization. Results revealed an annual publication growth rate of 6.61% in the field. The institutions from China and the United States are at the forefront of research outputs and international collaborations, indicating their strong investment and leadership in the application of AI to coastal ecosystem conservation. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified thematic clusters around AI tools such as remote sensing, machine learning, and deep learning, highlighting a transition from traditional environmental sensing toward real-time monitoring and predictive modeling. There is also a growing presence of multiple countries based on the keyword co-occurrence networks. It indicates increasing global participation, collaboration, and interest in applying AI to ecosystem conservation. Collectively, these findings point to a maturing research landscape with a promising trajectory toward the development of globally adaptive conservation strategies driven by artificial intelligence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 88-99"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing wetland mapping in Argentina: A probabilistic approach integrating remote sensing, machine learning, and cloud computing towards sustainable ecosystem monitoring","authors":"María F. Navarro Rau ,&nbsp;Noelia C. Calamari ,&nbsp;Carlos S. Navarro ,&nbsp;Andrea Enriquez ,&nbsp;María J. Mosciaro ,&nbsp;Griselda Saucedo ,&nbsp;Raul Barrios ,&nbsp;Matías Curcio ,&nbsp;Victorio Dieta ,&nbsp;Guillermo García Martínez ,&nbsp;María del R. Iturralde Elortegui ,&nbsp;Nicole J. Michard ,&nbsp;Paula Paredes ,&nbsp;Fernando Umaña ,&nbsp;Silvina Alday ,&nbsp;Alejandro Pezzola ,&nbsp;Claudia Vidal ,&nbsp;Cristina Winschel ,&nbsp;Silvia Albarracin Franco ,&nbsp;Santiago Behr ,&nbsp;Ditmar B. Kurtz","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wetlands, covering 7 % of Earth’s surface, are crucial for providing ecosystem services and regulating climate change. Despite their importance, global fluctuations in wetland distribution highlight the need for accurate and comprehensive mapping to address current and future challenges. In Argentina, a lack of detailed knowledge about wetland distribution, extent, and dynamics impedes effective conservation and management efforts. This study addresses these challenges by presenting a probabilistic wetland distribution map for Argentina, integrating 20 years of satellite imagery with machine learning and cloud computing technologies. Our approach introduces a comprehensive set of biophysical indices, enabling the identification of key wetland characteristics: 1) permanent or temporal surface water presence; 2) water-adapted vegetation phenology; and 3) geomorphology conducive to water accumulation. Our model achieved an accuracy of 89.3 %, effectively identifying wetland areas and delineating “elasticity” zones that reveal temporal wetland behavior. Approximately 9.5 % of Argentina is classified as wetlands, with the Chaco-Mesopotamia region accounting for 43 % of these areas. The performance of the 42 assessed variables varied across macro-regions, highlighting the necessity for region-specific classification methods. In the Andean region, variables such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) were key predictors, while in the plains, spectral properties including vegetation and water content indices were more significant. Despite challenges in classifying irrigated areas, the model demonstrated considerable robustness. This study not only enhances our understanding of wetland dynamics but also provides insights into how different regions respond to various environmental factors, offering a more nuanced perspective on wetland behavior. These findings pave the way for refined conservation strategies and further research into the impacts of climate change and land use on wetland ecosystems. The precision, scalability, and representation of wetland elasticity emphasize its importance for decision-making and provide a crucial baseline for future research amid ongoing environmental changes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 144-158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the role of Indonesian major fishing ports on contributing to ocean macroplastic pollution","authors":"Tri Yuwono ,&nbsp;Mutiara Rachmat Putri ,&nbsp;Susanna Nurdjaman ,&nbsp;Sakti Wahyu Trenggono ,&nbsp;Kamaluddin Kasim","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plastic pollution in marine environments remains a critical global challenge, with Indonesia playing a significant role due to its extensive fisheries sector. Fishing ports contribute substantially to this issue through waste generated from vessel operations, fish processing, port activities, and riverine pollution. This study examines macro plastic waste production and its sources at four major Indonesian fishing ports—PPS Nizam Zachman (Jakarta), PPN Cilacap, PPN Kejawanan (Cirebon), and PPN Sibolga (North Sumatra)—by integrating field surveys and stakeholder discussions. The results indicate that plastic waste generation varies significantly across ports, with PPS Nizam Zachman producing the highest amount at an average of 700 kg per month, followed by PPN Cilacap (170 kg) and PPN Kejawanan (72 kg). Additionally, riverine plastic pollution plays a critical role in plastic accumulation, particularly at ports near urban river systems. Despite existing regulatory frameworks, including MMAF Decree No. 130 of 2023, challenges persist in waste management due to financial constraints, weak enforcement, and inadequate infrastructure. Based on the research findings, the most effective strategies for mitigating plastic pollution at fishing ports include expanding and institutionalizing waste retrieval programs by linking vessel permits (Surat Layak Operasi/SLO) to waste management compliance, improving waste management infrastructure through public–private partnerships, and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration among port authorities, regulatory bodies, and local governments. Additionally, integrating riverine waste management into coastal strategies—such as installing floating trash barriers and enhancing upstream waste collection—is crucial to reducing plastic influx into fishing ports. Community engagement and education initiatives, including waste bank programs and awareness campaigns targeting fishers and port workers, are also essential for long-term sustainability. The findings emphasize the urgent need for an integrated waste management system that aligns regulatory enforcement, infrastructure development, and community participation to promote sustainability in Indonesia’s fisheries sector. Addressing these challenges through coordinated government and stakeholder action is paramount to reducing plastic waste leakage into the marine environment and ensuring long-term ecological and economic sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 74-83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the impacts of climate change on drought intensity and frequency using SPI and SPEI in the Southern Pre-Balkash region, Kazakhstan","authors":"Alimkulov Sayat ,&nbsp;Makhmudova Lyazzat ,&nbsp;Talipova Elmira ,&nbsp;Baspakova Gaukhar ,&nbsp;Monkayeva Gulsara","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a study of droughts in the South Pre-Balkash region that considers climate change and its impact on the intensity and frequency of drought periods. The main objective of this study is to assess changes in climatic parameters and their impact on the development of droughts using standardized precipitation indices (SPI) and precipitation evapotranspiration (SPEI) for the period 1950–2023. Long-term rainfall and temperature data and remote sensing data from the Google Earth Engine platform were used for the analysis. The Mann-Kendall test was applied to assess trends in climatic conditions and drought characteristics.</div><div>The results showed that although both the SPI and SPEI can be used to assess droughts, the SPEI is more effective at capturing changes in air temperature increases. The intensity and frequency of drought periods increased after the 1990 s, especially as measured by the SPEI. Additionally, the results of the present study indicate an increase in the intensity and frequency of dry periods, which is associated with climate change. In the study area, climate change is characterised mainly by an increase in air temperature (0.17–0.39 °C/10 years). The SPEI index is more sensitive to changes in the water balance, as it takes into account the influences of both precipitation and evaporation, in contrast to the SPI index, which considers only the influence of precipitation. Consequently, when drought conditions are analyzed using the SPEI index, a more accurate representation of the depth and severity of drought is obtained. These findings have important implications for the development of adaptation measures in agriculture and water management in the context of increasing drought risk in the Southern Pre-Balkash region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 11-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transforming desalination brine into highly reactive magnesium oxide and life cycle analysis","authors":"Hasanthi L. Senevirathna ,&nbsp;W.P. Cathie Lee ,&nbsp;Shunnian Wu ,&nbsp;Kewu Bai ,&nbsp;Ping Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The sustainable production of magnesium oxide (MgO) from reject brine at a desalination facility in Singapore presents a promising alternative to traditional building materials. This study investigates the properties and extraction methods of MgO derived from reject brine, focusing on environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. By utilizing a combination of thermodynamic modelling of concentrated salt aqueous solutions and experimental validation, we optimized the recovery process for Mg²⁺ from reject brine, achieving an impressive 99 % recovery rate to produce MgO with ∼ 98 % purity. The MgO produced, calcined at 700 °C, exhibits high reactivity and a large surface area of 58.01 m²/g, making it a highly viable option for various industrial applications. This approach addresses reject brine disposal challenges and emphasizes brine valorization, aligning with strict environmental regulations by treating both freshwater and concentrated brine as valuable products. The technology enables cost-effective reject brine treatment by recycling Mg²⁺ to produce sustainable Mg-based materials. A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of MgO production from reject brine. This analysis provides a thorough examination of the transformation process, assessing the sustainability of employing MgO in commercial applications. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for enhancing sustainability in various sectors, underscoring the promise of MgO as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective material.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 36-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronological development of environmental protection and sustainable development in Ethiopia: Systematic review","authors":"Tsegay Kahsay Gebrekidan ,&nbsp;Muuz Gebretsadik Gebremariam ,&nbsp;Meaza Kidane Teferi ,&nbsp;Selama Gebreslassie Yebyo","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses the continuous growth of political, cultural, economic, social, and environmental sectors. This review investigates the historical progress and actions of sustainable development in Ethiopia by examining various published and unpublished documents, government reports, policies, and legislation. The findings highlight that Ethiopia, with a longstanding history of environmental protection practices such as establishing protected areas, soil and water conservation, and sanitation, has made notable progress, especially since the mid-1990s. The inclusion of environmental rights in the 1995 Constitution led to the development of comprehensive policies, strategies, proclamations, regulations, and guidelines for sustainable development. Despite these advancements, Ethiopia faces numerous environmental challenges, including land degradation, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and inadequate implementation of environmental policies. These issues are further complicated by political instability, financial constraints, a lack of skilled human resources, rapid population growth, traditional agricultural practices, and weak community awareness. However, opportunities for improvement exist. Ethiopia can enhance its environmental goals by utilizing hydropower, investing in solar and wind energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and accessing international climate finance. Nevertheless, the actions taken by the government and individuals have been inconsistent and scattered, leading to unsuccessful efforts to achieve sustainable development. Moving forward, addressing these persistent challenges requires coordinated efforts, political stability, innovative solutions, and public involvement. Strengthening institutional arrangements, enhancing education and awareness, and fostering collaboration at all levels are essential steps toward achieving sustainable development and environmental protection in Ethiopia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 47-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143158896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Simulation of wetland vegetation succession based on coupled Gaussian and population dynamics models: A case study of Poyang Lake wetlands","authors":"Long Sun ,&nbsp;Zhen Han ,&nbsp;Shiyan Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaobo Liu ,&nbsp;Jialin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wsee.2024.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wetland vegetation is the most crucial primary producer in wetland ecosystems and serves as an indicator of ecosystem health. After 2003, significant changes occurred in the “river-lake relationship” between Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River, with intensified dry conditions in autumn and winter leading to a shortened inundation period for sandbanks and significant changes in the community structure and spatial distribution of wetland vegetation. By coupling a Gaussian model with a population dynamics model, this study simulated the response of wetland vegetation to inundation duration under different hydrological year types, revealing the relationship between vegetation distribution and inundation duration. Key parameters, such as growth and mortality rates, were identified, and the vegetation succession and spatial distribution of Poyang Lake wetlands were simulated for five representative years: a wet year (2010), a normal year (2001), a dry year (2006), an extreme wet year (1998), and an extreme dry year (2022). The results showed that the response of wetland vegetation to inundation duration followed a Gaussian curve, with each species exhibiting an optimal range of inundation durations. Mortality rates increased when the duration fell outside this range. In 2010, the total area of wetland vegetation was similar to that in a normal year, but the proportions of different plant species varied significantly. Compared to 2001, the areas of <em>Phalaris arundinacea</em> and <em>Polygonum criopolitanum</em> increased by 50.92 % and 24.86 %, respectively, while the areas of <em>Phragmites australis</em> and <em>Triarrhena lutarioriparia</em> decreased by 71.66 % and 83.49 %. In 1998, the total vegetation area shrank considerably, with a 54.74 % reduction compared to 2001 and a 64.32 % reduction compared to 2006. In contrast, the total wetland vegetation area reached its maximum in the extreme dry year of 2022, increasing by 41.35 % compared to 2001. Among dominant species, <em>Carex</em> spp., <em>Cynodon dactylon</em>, and <em>Phragmites australis</em> expanded significantly in dry years, while <em>Phalaris arundinacea</em> and <em>Polygonum criopolitanum</em> were better adapted to flood conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101280,"journal":{"name":"Watershed Ecology and the Environment","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142722151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}