Mitigation of urbanization effects on aquatic ecosystems by synchronous ecological restoration

Ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss have been caused by economic booms in developing countries over recent decades. In response, ecosystem restoration projects advanced some but the effectiveness of different approaches indicators at large spatio-temporal scales (i.e., whole catchments) remains poorly understood. This study assessed a diverse array 440 aquatic including wastewater treatment, constructed wetlands, plant/algae salvage dredging contaminated sediments implemented maintained from 2007 to 2017 across more than 2000 km2 northwest Taihu basin (Yixing, China). Synchronized investigations water quality invertebrate communities were conducted before after restoration. Our analysis showed that even though there was rapid urbanization this time, nutrient concentrations (NH4+-N, TN, TP) biological indices benthic (taxonomic richness, Shannon diversity, sensitive taxon density) improved significantly most area. Improvements associated with type project, targeting pollution-sources leading clearest responses compared those remediating pollution sinks. However, locations, recovery biotic appears lag behind nutrients (e.g., nitrogen phosphorus), likely reflecting long-distance re-colonization routes for invertebrates given level pre-restoration catchment. Overall, suggests ecological damage development China could potentially be mitigated massive investments synchronized catchments, although these effects expected enhanced if rates reduced same time.