Work

Driving factors and management strategies for water quality improvement in Fuxian Lake, China: A case study on ecological restoration and sustainable management of plateau lakes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fuxian Lake, a vital plateau freshwater ecosystem in China, has undergone significant water quality transformation over the past three decades. This study systematically investigates the primary drivers of this improvement and proposes actionable strategies for sustainable management. By integrating long-term monitoring data (1990–2023) with advanced multivariate statistical analyses, we evaluated the temporal and spatial dynamics of key water quality parameters, including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Furthermore, we assessed the interplay between anthropogenic activities, ecological restoration initiatives, and climatic variability to identify the underlying mechanisms driving water quality improvement. Our analysis demonstrates that stringent pollution source control, particularly in agricultural and urban runoff management, coupled with large-scale wetland restoration projects, has been instrumental in reducing nutrient inputs. Additionally, the implementation of robust environmental policies and adaptive governance frameworks has significantly enhanced the lake’s resilience to external pressures. Climatic factors, such as precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations, also influenced nutrient cycling and sedimentation processes, albeit to a lesser extent compared to anthropogenic interventions. This study not only highlights the success of integrated watershed management in Fuxian Lake but also provides a comprehensive analytical framework for the sustainable restoration and preservation of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. These findings underscore the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, evidence-based policymaking, and long-term ecological monitoring in achieving environmental sustainability goals.

Source: Ecological Indicators

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113440

Authors: Huimei Wang, Nuruol Syuhadaa Mohd

Institutions: University of Malaya, Yunnan Institute of Environmental Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,650