##  [Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in Different Environments](/resource/wetlands-nature-based-solutions-water-management-different-environments) 

Organization

[Stockholm University](/organization/stockholm-university)

[University of Belgrade](/organization/university-belgrade)

[University of Banja Luka](/organization/university-banja-luka)

[Southern Federal University](/organization/southern-federal-university)

[Beijing Normal University](/organization/beijing-normal-university)

 

 

Resource Type

[Peer reviewed article](/taxonomy/term/37)

 

 

Author(s)

Carla Ferreira

Milica Kašanin-Grubin

Marijana Solomun

Svetlana Sushkova

Tatiana Minkina

Wenwu Zhao

Zahra Kalantari

 

 

Original Authors

Carla Ferreira

Milica Kašanin-Grubin

Marijana Solomun

Svetlana Sushkova

Tatiana Minkina

Wenwu Zhao

Zahra Kalantari

 

 

Contacts

[Carla Ferreira](/contact/carla-ferreira)

 

 

Resource Date:

June

2023

 

 

## Abstract

Wetlands are multifunctional systems performing as nature-based solutions (NBS) for water management. This paper provides an overview of natural and [constructed wetlands](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/constructed-wetland "Learn more about constructed wetlands from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages") and their potential to support the regulation of hydrological fluxes and water quality. Wetlands can modulate peak flows by storing runoff and slowly releasing it over time, with positive impacts on soil moisture. They can also change the overall water balance by influencing [evapotranspiration](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/evapotranspiration "Learn more about evapotranspiration from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"), [infiltration](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/infiltration "Learn more about infiltration from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"), and [groundwater recharge](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/groundwater-recharge "Learn more about groundwater recharge from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"). They can enhance resilience of a catchment to floods and torrents, especially with relative low return periods (<50 years), and safeguard water availability during droughts. Wetlands may remove or reduce a number of organic and [inorganic pollutants](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/inorganic-pollutant "Learn more about inorganic pollutants from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages") (e.g., nutrients, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides) by different physical, chemical, and biological processes developed between vegetation, microorganisms, soil/growth substrate, and water. They have proven to be efficient and effective in improving the quality of water from different sources, such as runoff from agriculture and urban areas, and domestic and [industrial wastewater](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/industrial-wastewater "Learn more about industrial wastewater from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"). The overall performance of wetlands is determined by their characteristics (e.g., size, design, type of vegetation), within-catchment position, type and amount of water and pollutants, and local conditions (e.g., climate). A focus on wetlandscape, rather than individual wetlands, is required for optimal water management and maximization of other ecosystem services.