Editorial For “Wetlands in a changing World”

Wetland ecosystems are some of themost threatened ecosystems in theWorld. These systems are of great ecological importance since they providemany ecosystemservices including high biological productivity, hydrological flux regulation, shoreline protection against sea-level rise, phytoremediation of contaminated areas, storage and recycling of carbon, nutrients and trace-elements, and provide habitat for aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Special attention is warranted for these unique ecosystems and their examination through both laboratory and field-based studies. This special issue of STOTEN presents a collection of multidisciplinary research topics to help better understand the role of wetlands in the environment and how they are altered under the pressure of human activities. The manuscripts represent wetland research around the world with a wide diversity of ecosystems such as Arctic wetlands, Italian coastal lagoons, the Florida Everglades, and Egyptian saltmarshes. Topics covered include both spatial and temporal studies on nutrient and contaminant biogeochemistry, food web development, coastal ecology, and policy implications.