Floodplains and coastal wetlands as nutrient sinks: a restoration perspective

Floodplains and coastal wetlands provide essential ecosystem services such as flood protection, water quality enhancement, carbon sequestration, and the production of raw materials and food. Despite numerous studies on wetland restoration, the complexities of restoring ecosystem functions remain challenging. Complete restoration of natural functions is rare, and therefore seldom the primary target; instead, restoration efforts typically focus on reactivating key ecological processes. This study examines the restoration of ecosystem functions in floodplains and coastal wetlands, focusing on water quality improvement. It summarizes both nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics, highlighting the potential to restore…