Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00582-w
Tianming Wu, Wen-Jie Fu, Zheng Yan, Binggong Li, Zhe Zhao, Lu Wang, Lei Yan, Kaiqing Tong, Gong Zhang, Yusheng Niu
Escalating phosphorus (P) pollution and depleting P reserves demand sustainable P control strategies. Here we developed a microbially enhanced La–Zr-loaded basalt (MLZB) system integrating physicochemical adsorption with microbial metabolism for P removal and recovery. Adsorption creates a P-enriched microenvironment that fosters P-solubilizing bacteria, which secrete organic acids to release adsorbed P and regenerate adsorption sites. These bacteria mediate P storage and re-release via polyphosphate metabolism, making P available to eukaryotes. Ultimately, biodiverse microbial communities harbouring key P-metabolic genes were established within MLZB. Over a 1-year continuous treatment of real agricultural non-point source polluted water, this system maintained P removal efficiencies exceeding 90.0%, with its effluent consistently meeting the discharge standard of 0.2 mg l−1. The basalt matrix was regenerated, whereas P-containing products were recovered through incineration. MLZB offers an economically superior alternative to traditional chemicals by serving as an effective P cycle medium. It markedly reduces ecological impacts and promotes the development of circular economy. Escalating phosphorus pollution and depleting reserves necessitate sustainable control and recovery strategies. Here the authors develop a microbially enhanced La–Zr-loaded basalt system that achieves over 90% phosphorus removal and recovery, promoting a circular economy and reducing ecological impacts, offering an economically superior alternative to traditional chemical methods.
{"title":"Adsorption–microbial integration pioneers sustainable phosphorus cycle","authors":"Tianming Wu, Wen-Jie Fu, Zheng Yan, Binggong Li, Zhe Zhao, Lu Wang, Lei Yan, Kaiqing Tong, Gong Zhang, Yusheng Niu","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00582-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00582-w","url":null,"abstract":"Escalating phosphorus (P) pollution and depleting P reserves demand sustainable P control strategies. Here we developed a microbially enhanced La–Zr-loaded basalt (MLZB) system integrating physicochemical adsorption with microbial metabolism for P removal and recovery. Adsorption creates a P-enriched microenvironment that fosters P-solubilizing bacteria, which secrete organic acids to release adsorbed P and regenerate adsorption sites. These bacteria mediate P storage and re-release via polyphosphate metabolism, making P available to eukaryotes. Ultimately, biodiverse microbial communities harbouring key P-metabolic genes were established within MLZB. Over a 1-year continuous treatment of real agricultural non-point source polluted water, this system maintained P removal efficiencies exceeding 90.0%, with its effluent consistently meeting the discharge standard of 0.2 mg l−1. The basalt matrix was regenerated, whereas P-containing products were recovered through incineration. MLZB offers an economically superior alternative to traditional chemicals by serving as an effective P cycle medium. It markedly reduces ecological impacts and promotes the development of circular economy. Escalating phosphorus pollution and depleting reserves necessitate sustainable control and recovery strategies. Here the authors develop a microbially enhanced La–Zr-loaded basalt system that achieves over 90% phosphorus removal and recovery, promoting a circular economy and reducing ecological impacts, offering an economically superior alternative to traditional chemical methods.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 2","pages":"169-182"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269057","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1038/s44221-026-00588-y
Three years after the launch of Nature Water, we assess our development as a journal and provide clearer guidance on the boundaries of our scope.
在《自然之水》创刊三年后，我们对期刊的发展进行了评估，并对我们的范围边界提供了更清晰的指导。
{"title":"Clarifying our remit as we enter a new phase","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s44221-026-00588-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-026-00588-y","url":null,"abstract":"Three years after the launch of Nature Water, we assess our development as a journal and provide clearer guidance on the boundaries of our scope.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"1-1"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-026-00588-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027624","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}
Wastewater treatment plants represent an invaluable reservoir of microbial resources yet remain largely unexplored. By selective sampling and integrative analysis of 828 metagenomic data from wastewater treatment plants spanning six continents, we established a global-scale metagenomic catalogue for activated sludge, including 24,536 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and over 24 million non-redundant genes, uncovering 12,563 MAGs without species-level definition and generating a high‑resolution, MAG‑level relative abundance and distribution map capturing their global distribution. This global-scale collection of MAGs enhances existing knowledge about functional microorganisms, including polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, nitrifiers, denitrifiers, refining the understanding of nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. By systematically annotating genes involved in nutrient removal, virulence factors, plastic degradation and biosynthesis, we integrated phylogenetics with metabolic potential, revealing previously under-characterized microbes and their diversity. Tthis study provides a comprehensive, genome-resolved framework and essential resources for targeted genome-centric research, guiding directed wastewater treatment engineering and the development of innovative treatment processes. Wastewater treatment plants harbour extensive but poorly characterized microbial genetic diversity. Using 828 metagenomes from wastewater treatement plants globally, this study reconstructs >24,000 metagenome-assembled genomes, including >12,000 new species, providing a genome-resolved framework for understanding and engineering activated sludge functions.
{"title":"Metagenome-resolved global microbial diversity and function in activated-sludge wastewater treatment systems","authors":"Xiaojing Xie, Jing Yuan, Yuheng Huang, Haixin Zheng, Lanying Zhang, Chaohai Wei, Stefan Wuertz, Nan-Qi Ren, Yonghui Song, Shih-Hsin Ho, Guanglei Qiu","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00576-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00576-8","url":null,"abstract":"Wastewater treatment plants represent an invaluable reservoir of microbial resources yet remain largely unexplored. By selective sampling and integrative analysis of 828 metagenomic data from wastewater treatment plants spanning six continents, we established a global-scale metagenomic catalogue for activated sludge, including 24,536 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and over 24 million non-redundant genes, uncovering 12,563 MAGs without species-level definition and generating a high‑resolution, MAG‑level relative abundance and distribution map capturing their global distribution. This global-scale collection of MAGs enhances existing knowledge about functional microorganisms, including polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, nitrifiers, denitrifiers, refining the understanding of nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. By systematically annotating genes involved in nutrient removal, virulence factors, plastic degradation and biosynthesis, we integrated phylogenetics with metabolic potential, revealing previously under-characterized microbes and their diversity. Tthis study provides a comprehensive, genome-resolved framework and essential resources for targeted genome-centric research, guiding directed wastewater treatment engineering and the development of innovative treatment processes. Wastewater treatment plants harbour extensive but poorly characterized microbial genetic diversity. Using 828 metagenomes from wastewater treatement plants globally, this study reconstructs >24,000 metagenome-assembled genomes, including >12,000 new species, providing a genome-resolved framework for understanding and engineering activated sludge functions.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 2","pages":"228-240"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269054","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}
Nanofiltration is an effective technology for producing clean water through the removal of harmful pathogens, micropollutants and ions. However, its dependence on a power supply and complex configuration hinder the deployment of nanofiltration systems in underserved regions. To support universal access to clean water in these regions, we have developed an ultrapermeable polyamide nanofiltration membrane that can be used in an electricity-free portable purifier. The membrane features a nature-inspired substrate that mimics the highly efficient fractal transport structures found in leaves and blood vessels. The polyamide nanofilm supported by this unique fractal substrate achieved a record-high permeance of 113.6 l m−2 h−1 bar−1, an order of magnitude higher than current commercial benchmarks. The design enabled rapid water purification by simple manual vacuum pumping, producing over 250 ml of pure water within 15 min using small palm-sized membrane disks with an area of 157 cm2. Furthermore, the nanofiltration membrane exhibited 98.0% Na2SO4 rejection, along with exceptional removal of pathogens (>99.9999%) and micropollutants (for example, 99.1% of perfluorooctanesulfonate). By delivering high-quality purified water without the need for any electricity, this portable purifier offers a practical solution that is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, focusing on clean water and sanitation. A membrane system operating without electricity and inspired by natural fractal transport patterns achieves exceptional nanofiltration performance, offering a simple and reliable source of potable water for decentralized communities.
{"title":"Fractal-inspired ultrapermeable membranes for electricity-free portable nanofiltration","authors":"Bowen Gan, Yaowen Hu, Wenyu Liu, Zhuting Wang, Qimao Gan, Zhe Yang, Qian Xiao, Peng-Fei Sun, Lu Elfa Peng, Chuyang Y. Tang","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00551-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00551-3","url":null,"abstract":"Nanofiltration is an effective technology for producing clean water through the removal of harmful pathogens, micropollutants and ions. However, its dependence on a power supply and complex configuration hinder the deployment of nanofiltration systems in underserved regions. To support universal access to clean water in these regions, we have developed an ultrapermeable polyamide nanofiltration membrane that can be used in an electricity-free portable purifier. The membrane features a nature-inspired substrate that mimics the highly efficient fractal transport structures found in leaves and blood vessels. The polyamide nanofilm supported by this unique fractal substrate achieved a record-high permeance of 113.6 l m−2 h−1 bar−1, an order of magnitude higher than current commercial benchmarks. The design enabled rapid water purification by simple manual vacuum pumping, producing over 250 ml of pure water within 15 min using small palm-sized membrane disks with an area of 157 cm2. Furthermore, the nanofiltration membrane exhibited 98.0% Na2SO4 rejection, along with exceptional removal of pathogens (>99.9999%) and micropollutants (for example, 99.1% of perfluorooctanesulfonate). By delivering high-quality purified water without the need for any electricity, this portable purifier offers a practical solution that is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, focusing on clean water and sanitation. A membrane system operating without electricity and inspired by natural fractal transport patterns achieves exceptional nanofiltration performance, offering a simple and reliable source of potable water for decentralized communities.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"68-77"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027638","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00572-y
Jiansuxuan Chen, Ruobin Dai
Underserved regions need electricity-free purifiers for clean water. Membranes with ultra-permeable nanofiltration performance present a promising route to delivering high-quality water purification without reliance on power or complex configuration.
{"title":"Purifying water with manual pumping","authors":"Jiansuxuan Chen, Ruobin Dai","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00572-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00572-y","url":null,"abstract":"Underserved regions need electricity-free purifiers for clean water. Membranes with ultra-permeable nanofiltration performance present a promising route to delivering high-quality water purification without reliance on power or complex configuration.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"12-13"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027623","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00563-z
Xinhao Wang, Li Gao, Xiaoguang Duan
Scaling up single-atom catalysts without losing atomic precision remains a major challenge. A supramolecular cascade-fixation strategy enables kilogram-scale synthesis with preserved structure and high performance for antimicrobial removal.
{"title":"Building scalability into atomic design","authors":"Xinhao Wang, Li Gao, Xiaoguang Duan","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00563-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00563-z","url":null,"abstract":"Scaling up single-atom catalysts without losing atomic precision remains a major challenge. A supramolecular cascade-fixation strategy enables kilogram-scale synthesis with preserved structure and high performance for antimicrobial removal.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 2","pages":"116-117"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269045","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}
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit exceptional properties for wastewater treatment, yet their scalable and cost-effective synthesis remains a critical barrier to practical implementation. Here we report a cascade fixation self-assembly strategy for producing universal single- and dual-atom catalysts at the kilogram scale, achieving high metal loading (up to 14 wt%) while enabling ~100% selective generation of singlet oxygen for efficient antibiotic removal. The complete evolution of iron atoms during SAC synthesis and water treatment was elucidated through batch experiments, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, revealing near-complete utilization of the Fe source without compromising its structural integrity or catalytic activity. The stability and efficacy of Fe SACs produced at scale for antibiotic degradation was validated using a near-industrial continuous-flow reactor, with limited Fe leaching. This study establishes a practical platform for industrial-scale catalyst production while advancing the selective generation of reactive species and sustainable water purification. Single-atom catalysts are promising for water treatment but remain difficult to produce at scale. This work presents a cascade fixation strategy that delivers kilogram-scale, high-loading single-atom catalysts with near 100% singlet-oxygen selectivity, providing efficient and stable antibiotic degradation.
{"title":"Universal scalable production of single-atom catalysts for antibiotic wastewater treatment","authors":"Xunheng Jiang, Can Li, Yue Chen, Jiaqing Chen, Zhongyuan Guo, Qianhai Zhou, Lizhong Zhu, Daohui Lin, Jiang Xu","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00561-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00561-1","url":null,"abstract":"Single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit exceptional properties for wastewater treatment, yet their scalable and cost-effective synthesis remains a critical barrier to practical implementation. Here we report a cascade fixation self-assembly strategy for producing universal single- and dual-atom catalysts at the kilogram scale, achieving high metal loading (up to 14 wt%) while enabling ~100% selective generation of singlet oxygen for efficient antibiotic removal. The complete evolution of iron atoms during SAC synthesis and water treatment was elucidated through batch experiments, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, revealing near-complete utilization of the Fe source without compromising its structural integrity or catalytic activity. The stability and efficacy of Fe SACs produced at scale for antibiotic degradation was validated using a near-industrial continuous-flow reactor, with limited Fe leaching. This study establishes a practical platform for industrial-scale catalyst production while advancing the selective generation of reactive species and sustainable water purification. Single-atom catalysts are promising for water treatment but remain difficult to produce at scale. This work presents a cascade fixation strategy that delivers kilogram-scale, high-loading single-atom catalysts with near 100% singlet-oxygen selectivity, providing efficient and stable antibiotic degradation.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 2","pages":"206-216"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269060","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00565-x
Mathis Loïc Messager
Non-perennial rivers and streams that periodically cease to flow are ubiquitous but seldom mapped, let alone monitored. Scaling models that include even the tiniest rivulets estimate that up to 78% of the world’s watercourses naturally stop flowing at least one day per year.
{"title":"Scaling laws reveal the extent of Earth’s drying headwaters","authors":"Mathis Loïc Messager","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00565-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00565-x","url":null,"abstract":"Non-perennial rivers and streams that periodically cease to flow are ubiquitous but seldom mapped, let alone monitored. Scaling models that include even the tiniest rivulets estimate that up to 78% of the world’s watercourses naturally stop flowing at least one day per year.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"2-3"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027627","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}
Quantifying the fraction of a river network that does not flow year-round is crucial, as the wetting and drying of channels governs important hydrological and biogeochemical services of watersheds. However, this remains challenging due to limited experimental data and the difficulty of accurately representing the total length of rivers draining a landscape. Here we present new global estimates of non-perennial stream fractions by extrapolating low-resolution global simulations and detailed field observations from experimental sites spanning diverse climatic settings. Our findings show that non-perennial streams are far more prevalent than previously recognized, both regionally and globally. When small headwater streams are comprehensively accounted for, the global fraction of non-perennial channels rises above 0.7 (up to 0.78), with regional estimates in relatively humid regions such as Italy and the eastern USA exceeding 0.5. The study reveals that, owing to the abundance of small upland streams, the effect of channel wetting and drying in headwaters persists even in much larger basins. The systematic prevalence of non-perennial streams across different watershed sizes calls for a paradigm shift in water science, emphasizing the importance of adequately considering channel network dynamics in the assessment of hydrological, ecological and societal services provided by rivers. Understanding the prevalence of non-perennial streams is vital for assessing the hydrological and biogeochemical functions of watersheds, yet accurate quantification remains challenging. This study uses global simulations and field data to reveal that non-perennial streams are more widespread than previously thought, both regionally and globally, highlighting the importance of adequately considering channel network dynamics in water science.
{"title":"Headwater streams control the non-perennial fraction of the global river network","authors":"Gianluca Botter, Francesca Barone, Nicola Durighetto","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00549-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00549-x","url":null,"abstract":"Quantifying the fraction of a river network that does not flow year-round is crucial, as the wetting and drying of channels governs important hydrological and biogeochemical services of watersheds. However, this remains challenging due to limited experimental data and the difficulty of accurately representing the total length of rivers draining a landscape. Here we present new global estimates of non-perennial stream fractions by extrapolating low-resolution global simulations and detailed field observations from experimental sites spanning diverse climatic settings. Our findings show that non-perennial streams are far more prevalent than previously recognized, both regionally and globally. When small headwater streams are comprehensively accounted for, the global fraction of non-perennial channels rises above 0.7 (up to 0.78), with regional estimates in relatively humid regions such as Italy and the eastern USA exceeding 0.5. The study reveals that, owing to the abundance of small upland streams, the effect of channel wetting and drying in headwaters persists even in much larger basins. The systematic prevalence of non-perennial streams across different watershed sizes calls for a paradigm shift in water science, emphasizing the importance of adequately considering channel network dynamics in the assessment of hydrological, ecological and societal services provided by rivers. Understanding the prevalence of non-perennial streams is vital for assessing the hydrological and biogeochemical functions of watersheds, yet accurate quantification remains challenging. This study uses global simulations and field data to reveal that non-perennial streams are more widespread than previously thought, both regionally and globally, highlighting the importance of adequately considering channel network dynamics in water science.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"25-35"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00549-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027635","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00547-z
Daniele Penna
Forested catchments are ‘hydrological hotspots’ in the world as they act as major sources of high-quality water on Earth and provide essential ecosystem services. Understanding their hydrological functioning is therefore critical for effective land, water and forest management. While field and modelling studies have often focused on individual catchments or multisite intercomparisons, a global analysis of runoff processes in forested catchments is currently lacking, limiting our understanding of how biotic and abiotic factors interact to control these processes across the world. Here data are synthesized from 691 globally distributed forested catchments to identify the main controls on runoff processes, streamflow response and streamflow prediction and assess how these controls vary with climate. Using this global dataset, seven classic hypotheses and an original one are tested. The results corroborate some theories while challenging others, offering new, process-based insights into the intertwined factors controlling runoff generation in forested catchments worldwide. Forested catchments are vital hydrological hotspots, yet a global analysis of their runoff processes remains elusive. This study synthesizes data from 691 forested catchments worldwide, testing eight hypotheses to reveal how biotic and abiotic factors influence runoff generation and providing new insights for land, water and forest management across diverse climates.
{"title":"Controls on runoff processes in forested catchments worldwide","authors":"Daniele Penna","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00547-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00547-z","url":null,"abstract":"Forested catchments are ‘hydrological hotspots’ in the world as they act as major sources of high-quality water on Earth and provide essential ecosystem services. Understanding their hydrological functioning is therefore critical for effective land, water and forest management. While field and modelling studies have often focused on individual catchments or multisite intercomparisons, a global analysis of runoff processes in forested catchments is currently lacking, limiting our understanding of how biotic and abiotic factors interact to control these processes across the world. Here data are synthesized from 691 globally distributed forested catchments to identify the main controls on runoff processes, streamflow response and streamflow prediction and assess how these controls vary with climate. Using this global dataset, seven classic hypotheses and an original one are tested. The results corroborate some theories while challenging others, offering new, process-based insights into the intertwined factors controlling runoff generation in forested catchments worldwide. Forested catchments are vital hydrological hotspots, yet a global analysis of their runoff processes remains elusive. This study synthesizes data from 691 forested catchments worldwide, testing eight hypotheses to reveal how biotic and abiotic factors influence runoff generation and providing new insights for land, water and forest management across diverse climates.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"4 1","pages":"102-114"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027640","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}
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