Research progress and challenges: Improving ecosystem functions of coastal wetlands by coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity

PANG Lihua; CUI Baoshan; MA Xu; LIU Zezheng

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202502017

Volume 43 Issue 2

Feb. 2025

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PANG Lihua, CUI Baoshan, MA Xu, LIU Zezheng. Research progress and challenges: Improving ecosystem functions of coastal wetlands by coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(2): 167-176. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502017

Citation:

PANG Lihua, CUI Baoshan, MA Xu, LIU Zezheng. Research progress and challenges: Improving ecosystem functions of coastal wetlands by coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(2): 167-176. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502017

Citation:

PANG Lihua, CUI Baoshan, MA Xu, LIU Zezheng. Research progress and challenges: Improving ecosystem functions of coastal wetlands by coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(2): 167-176. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502017

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Research progress and challenges: Improving ecosystem functions of coastal wetlands by coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202502017

PANG Lihua¹,
CUI Baoshan^2,3,
MA Xu^4,5,
LIU Zezheng^{1,3
,
,}

1. School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China;
2. School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Wetland Conservation and Restoration, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
3. Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Dongying 257500, China;
4. State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, Beijing 100038, China;
5. China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China

Received Date: 2024-10-05
Accepted Date: 2025-01-10
Rev Recd Date: 2024-12-20

Abstract

Abstract

With the loss of global coastal wetland areas and the continuous degradation of its ecosystem functions, improving the functions of coastal wetland ecosystems through coastal restoration incorporating hydrological connectivity has become a significant global strategy. This paper reviewed 7,225 articles from the Web of Science database (1950 to 2024), revealed the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of global coastal restoration projects using hydrological connectivity, and elucidated the main methods of landward and seaward hydrological connectivity restoration. The research on coastal restoration using hydrological connectivity began in the 1970s, and the number of global research papers started to increase after the 1990s. The United States has the highest number of research papers in this field, accounting for more than one-third of the global total. China ranks the second in the number of research papers. Landward hydrological connectivity ecological restoration mainly focuses on the regulation of runoff, sediment transport, and landward nutrient transport, while seaward hydrological connectivity restoration techniques primarily include managing realignment or retreat, regulating tidal exchange, and controlling reduced tide. Furthermore, this paper clarifies the mechanisms and research progress of the impact of coastal restoration based on hydrological connectivity on key ecosystem functions, such as primary productivity, coastal protection, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. From the perspectives of numerous influencing factors, lengthy restoration periods, highly variable response processes, and complex functional trade-offs, this paper summarizes the current challenges of enhancing ecosystem functions using coastal restoration based on hydrological connectivity. Future research trends are anticipated in light of the current research progress and existing problems, which can support addressing the fundamental scientific issues faced in enhancing coastal wetland ecosystem functions. In the future, we should focus on utilizing new technologies and big data analysis to reveal the mechanisms behind the enhancement of ecosystem functions, constructing predictive models for ecosystem functions enhancement that integrate hydrological, geomorphological, and ecological dynamic processes, conducting cost-benefit analyses to ensure the sustainability of coastal wetland restoration, and serving national needs and international programs to foster international big science research plans and projects.
- coastal wetland,
- hydrologic connectivity,
- ecological restoration,
- ecological function,
- climate change mitigation,
- biodiversity conservation

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References(63)

References

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