Long-Term Nutrient Dynamics and Water Quality in Catchment Ecosystems

Water quality in catchments is a critical area of research, particularly concerning the transport and impact of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients are vital for plant growth, but their excessive or inadequate application can lead to significant degradation of water quality and biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Current research highlights the complexity of nutrient transport dynamics and their profound effects on water quality and fluvial ecosystems. Despite numerous studies, there remain significant gaps in understanding the long-term interactions between nutrient dynamics, rainfall patterns, hydrological processes, land use changes, and climate change. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing effective strategies to manage nutrient levels and protect water quality.

This research topic aims to gather and disseminate up-to-date and relevant scientific information on the processes that affect nutrient transport at the catchment scale and how these processes impact water quality. Specifically, we are interested in long-term studies that advance our understanding of the interactions between nutrient dynamics, rainfall patterns, hydrological processes, land use changes, and climate change. We also seek contributions that explore the use of innovative methodologies and tools, such as remote sensing, modelling, and machine learning, for assessing nutrient transport and management at different scales.

To gather further insights into the complexities of nutrient transport and its impact on water quality, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Long-term nutrient monitoring and assessment in catchments
- Impact of land use changes on nutrient dynamics
- Effects of climate change on nutrient transport and water quality
- Innovative methodologies for nutrient assessment, including remote sensing and modelling
- Application of machine learning in nutrient management
- Case studies on successful nutrient management practices
- Interactions between hydrological processes and nutrient transport
- Policy and management strategies for mitigating nutrient pollution in aquatic ecosystems

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: nutrients, catchment, water quality, long-term monitoring, management

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.