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Restoring small water bodies to improve lake and river water quality in China

Author

Listed:
  • Wangzheng Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Waterloo
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Liang Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Emily A. Ury

    (University of Waterloo
    Environmental Defense Fund)

  • Sisi Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Biqing Xia

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Nandita B. Basu

    (University of Waterloo
    University of Waterloo
    University of Waterloo)

Abstract

Climate change, population growth, and agricultural intensification are increasing nitrogen (N) inputs, while driving the loss of inland water bodies that filter excess N. However, the interplay between N inputs and water body dynamics, and its implications for water quality remain poorly understood. Analyzing data from 1995 to 2015 across China, here, we find a 71% reduction in the area of small (

Suggested Citation

  • Wangzheng Shen & Liang Zhang & Emily A. Ury & Sisi Li & Biqing Xia & Nandita B. Basu, 2025. "Restoring small water bodies to improve lake and river water quality in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55714-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55714-9
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