Global Hydrological Studies and Ecological Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

Both hydrology and the water cycle are driving forces, shaping ecosystems worldwide. However, due to natural processes and human pressure, cycle disruptions are observed more and more frequently. Deforestation, irrigation, and changes in precipitation (prolonged dry periods and/or torrential rains) are destructive to ecosystems, as are extreme events in the water cycle like droughts and floods, which are expected more frequently. Alterations of precipitation volume and structure bring about a groundwater recharge decrease, as well as deep streamflow droughts, which can lead to ecological catastrophes. Since the world's aquatic and land environments are changing rapidly and facing unprecedented pressures, ecological watershed management research should focus on the integrity of the ecosystem and maintaining sustainability. 

Human activity is believed to be the main cause of climate change and the observed loss of biodiversity on a local and global scale. The human impact on the environment harms the functions of aquatic and land ecosystems, resulting in a deterioration of the quality of ecosystem services. Therefore, ecosystems still require the identification of ecological problems, proper protection, restoration, and sustainable management.

This Special Issue aims to (a) define hydrological processes and other processes that can influence the quality of both aquatic and land ecosystems, (b) identify the current problems in hydrology, as well as its role in maintaining ecological integrity, (c) maintain or restore the structures, processes, and functions of ecosystems, (d) describe ecological problems and propose solutions (both practical and theoretical) in light of ecological sustainability. These subjects relate to the journal's scope since they provide an advanced forum for studies relating to sustainability and sustainable development.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews focusing on challenges relating to sustainability in the field of hydrological studies and ecological sustainability are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Water cycle and its disruption.
• Water demand.
• Modeling of hydrological changes.
• Extreme hydrological events.
• Functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• Ecological sustainability.
• Assessment, mapping, and valuation of ecosystem services.
• Biodiversity loss and restoration.
• Integrated ecosystem monitoring.

We eagerly await your contributions.

Dr. Magdalena Toporowska
Dr. Beata Ferencz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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.

• water resources
• water cycle
• watershed sustainability
• climate change
• human pressure
• resilience and vulnerability
• ecosystem functioning
• ecosystem services
• sustainable ecosystem management